BY BEN L. KAUFMAN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Melissa Vanover was charged Friday with the aggravated murder of Michael C. Nieman, who was shot to death last week at his home in Miami Township.
Ms. Vanover, 26, is being held in lieu of $1 million bond. She could be sentenced to death if convicted.
Mr. Nieman, 48, who once worked as a building contractor, sold jewelry from his home on Buffalo Ridge Road. Authorities think Ms. Vanover was living with Mr. Nieman.
The Hamilton County grand jury also charged her with aggravated robbery and theft. Grand jurors indicted four others in the case: John E. Green, 41; his sons Johnny E. Green Jr., 22, and Kevin Eugene Green, 18; and Angela S. Armacost, 21.
All four were charged with aggravated burglary of Mr. Nieman's home and receiving stolen property, but Prosecuting Attorney Joseph T. Deters said they were not involved in the killing.
John E. Green also was charged with tampering with evidence. Finally, Johnny Jr., Kevin Green and Ms. Armacost were charged with marijuana possession. Blue Ash police arrested the suspects during a traffic stop just before 1 a.m. June 16. Mr. Deters would not explain why officers stopped the car, but he said they found more than $250,000, marijuana, jewelry and guns.
As the suspects were being questioned, one of them told police there may have been foul play at Mr. Nieman's home, according to a sheriff's spokesman.
Deputies went there and found Mr. Nieman. They originally suspected Ms. Vanover shot him while she and the others were robbing the home. But Friday, Mr. Deters said it was likelier Ms. Vanover called the four over after killing Mr. Nieman and they ransacked the residence.
