Suspects in killings remain in jail

        Two killings Tuesday put Cincinnati at 32 homicides for the year — a 60 percent jump over this time in 2001.

        Both suspects remained behind bars Wednesday at the Hamilton County Justice Center in lieu of posting hefty bonds.

        Christopher Echols, 35, pleaded not guilty in Hamilton County Municipal Court to murder. Homicide investigators said he admitted to them that he killed his ex-girlfriend, Melissa June Wallace, 33.

        The two had a history of domestic violence, court records show. They had been arguing Tuesday, family members said, because she had broken up with him.

        Mr. Echols' bond was set at $1 million. Ms. Wallace's body was found in the back of his Chevrolet Tahoe in the parking lot of a Woodlawn restaurant after Mr. Echols called family members to tell them what had happened. Cincinnati police think the killing occurred in the city limits.

PREVIEW OF PIANISTS: In a prelude to the World Piano Competition July 3-9 at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, young pianists begin a series of free concerts in the atrium of the Westin Hotel downtown. The concerts continue today and Friday from noon to 1 p.m. Yanging Chen will compete in the competition. (Micheal E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        In Tuesday's other killing, police responded to Kemper Lane in Walnut Hills about 4:15 p.m. when a caller reported someone hit in the head by a bottle. Other callers described a fight among several women, one of whom stabbed a man and cut his throat.

        Detectives said the woman committed the crime in a sudden burst of anger brought on by the actions of the victim, Donnie Campbell, 49, of East Walnut Hills. Patricia Vandergriff, 22, of Evanston, was charged with voluntary manslaughter. Her bond was set at $500,000.

        Both of those arrested were assigned public defenders. A Hamilton County grand jury will hear their cases June 14.
       

3 officers recognized for work at school

        Three Cincinnati police officers got commendations this week from Chief Tom Streicher for their work preventing a possible shooting at Western Hills High School.

        A rumor going around the school March 28 said two students were going to shoot somebody. School Resource Officer Jim Robb notified District 3, which sent Specs. Les Mendes and Greg Kanz.

        The officers arrested two youths after they noticed them trying to enter the school.

        One, a 16-year-old, was charged with trespassing, carrying a concealed weapon and illegal possession of a firearm on school property after officers found a .32-caliber semiautomatic pistol.

Grants for groups involved in history

        OXFORD — Grants totaling $13,100 have been approved for groups involved in Butler County history.

        The W.E. Smith Family Charitable Trust will award grants to the Morgan Township Historical Society for a self-guided driving tour of the township, to the Butler County Historical Society to print a multicolor brochure, and to the Elisha Morgan Farm Mansion in Fairfield to support a lecture series.

RIBBON'S CUT, HERE THEY COME: Joey McGraw of Mariemont is among the first to use the new ramps and straightaways at Miami Meadows. Clermont County opened its first public skatepark Wednesday. (Jeff Swinger photo) | ZOOM |

        The Seven Mile Historical Society will receive an unspecified sum to complete a history publication, and the Miami University Men's Glee Club will be helped with work on its centennial celebration, set for 2007.

        The Smith Regional History Library in Oxford and Oxford Visitors Bureau will receive grants to start a driving tour of historic places.

        The grants are financed by a bequest from the estate of Ophia Smith, a historian and former Oxford resident.

Most Wanted suspect now wanted again

        He was one of Cincinnati's most Most Wanted suspects last summer — police said he liked to threaten people with guns when he robbed them.

        So the arrest of Shamshud Din Pickens in August was highlighted as among the first bigger hits for the then-new citywide Violent Crimes Task Force. But no one wanted to testify against him, and all eight charges of robbery, aggravated robbery and felonious assault were dropped in March.

        Now he's wanted again. This time, Detective Pat Galligan said, he put a gun to a man's back three weeks ago on Vine Street and took his black Gucci hat, glasses, cell phone and $200.

        “It's extremely frustrating when something like this happens,” said Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike Allen. “If the public doesn't want to help us, there's not much we can do sometimes.”

        Mr. Pickens also is wanted on two outstanding warrants for domestic violence.

        Police ask anyone with information about Mr. Pickens to call Crime Stoppers at 352-3040.
       

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