BY KRISTEN DELGUZZI
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The notoriety and the criminal charges have worn Sylvia Stayton out, but they haven't drained her will to fight or her desire to feed expired meters.
Saying she wouldn't hesitate to once again plug spare change into expired meters ''if I see them,'' the 62-year-old Clifton grandmother appeared in court Wednesday and vowed to take her case to a jury trial if necessary.
But she and her lawyer are hoping the case - which began Oct. 24, when Mrs. Stayton was charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing official business for feeding two meters in Clifton - never makes it to trial.
David Scacchetti, who represents Mrs. Stayton, says he thinks the case does not belong in court, and he filed a motion asking the judge to suppress all evidence surrounding the arrest of his client.
''Obviously, a police officer has to have a reason to even approach her and talk to her. And we don't think he did,'' he said. ''You can't stop people because you want to talk to them. You have to have a reason.''
The motion will be argued Nov. 22 in the Hamilton County courtroom of Municipal Judge John A. West. No trial date was set.
If the defense is successful in its quest to suppress Officer Edward Johnson's testimony about the arrest, the case will have to be dismissed, Mr. Scacchetti said.
''I hope it does get dumped,'' he said. ''This is not a murder case... This is not something fun. She's not charged with a minor citation. She's facing four months in jail.''
Mrs. Stayton, who appeared in court surrounded by family and friends, said she has received more than $300 - she's applying it toward the ''Sylvia Stayton legal abuse fund'' - from supporters around the country.
''It's been wonderful to have so many people write and call and offer support,'' she said.
Although the ordeal - she has been on late-night talk shows and fielded calls from reporters across the country - has left her tired and angry, she said it hasn't turned her off to being a good Samaritan.
''Don't stop doing good deeds,'' she said. ''The world needs more wonderful people.''
Published Nov. 14, 1996
