Wednesday, February 03, 1999
TRISTATE DIGEST
Woman who wanted abortion gives birth
CLEVELAND — A convicted forger who claims a judge sentenced her to prison so she couldn't have an abortion has given birth to a girl.
Yuriko Kawaguchi delivered the child early Monday in the San Francisco area, George Carr, one of Ms. Kawaguchi's lawyers, said Tuesday.
The baby weighed 7 pounds and 1 ounce. Both she and her mother are healthy, Mr. Carr said.
Ms. Kawaguchi, 21, a Japanese citizen living as a resident alien in Burlingame, Calif., came to Cleveland in May as part of a scheme to buy computer equipment with fake credit cards and then sell the goods. But she was arrested on her first day here and eventually pleaded guilty to forgery.
She returned to California in November and has been staying with her mother and sister ever since. Phone messages were left Tuesday for the Kawaguchis in Burlingame.
Ms. Kawaguchi has accused Judge Patricia Cleary of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court of violating her rights by handing down a six-month prison sentence — with credit for 41/2 months already served — specifically to keep Ms. Kawaguchi from getting an abortion.
Judge Cleary repeated Tuesday that the sentence was based on the severity of Ms. Kawaguchi's crime.
But during Ms. Kawaguchi's sentencing in October, the judge questioned her at length about the pregnancy and at one point said, “I'm saying she is not having a second-term abortion.”
Judge Cleary, who opposes abortion, said in an interview after the sentencing that it “worked out swell” if Ms. Kawaguchi couldn't get an abortion as a result of her prison term.
On hearing that Ms. Kawaguchi had given birth, Judge Cleary said “my only comment is congratulations. That's wonderful. I hope everything is OK.”
Two most wanted suspects arrested
Two more “Tristate's Most Wanted” suspects have been arrested, bringing the total to 677 suspects removed from the list out of the 1,073 suspects featured in The Cincinnati Enquirer.
Hugh Friend, 23, a former Camp Washington man wanted in Cincinnati on an escape charge, is being held at the Warren County Jail.
Gregory Snavely, 25, of Roselawn was arrested on charges of forgery, receiving stolen checks, passing bad checks and theft.
The Enquirer publishes “Tristate's Most Wanted” each Monday. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Callers to 352-3040 can remain anonymous.
Car wreck injures pregnant woman
MASON — A pregnant Mason woman was listed in fair condition Tuesday night at Good Samaritan Hospital after a two-car collision at Tylersville Road and Fireside Drive.
Kelly Hayes, 30, was driving a 1991 Saturn on Fireside Drive shortly before 6 p.m. when she failed to yield at a stop sign and crashed into a 1991 Dodge eastbound on Tylersville, said Trooper Bar bara Jones, of the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Lebanon post.
Mrs. Hayes, who is four months pregnant, and her husband, Dan, were trapped in the vehicle for more than 20 minutes before Mason and Deerfield Township fire crews could free them. She suffered primarily neck and back injuries while Mr. Hayes was not seriously injured.
“So far, the baby is OK,” said Mrs. Hayes' mother, Ileen Spaulding of Hamilton.
The Dodge driver, Josilin Hiatt of Cincinnati, had minor injuries and was taken to Bethesda North Hospital.
Trooper Jones said no citations had been issued as of Tuesday, but Mrs. Hayes most likely would be cited for failure to yield.
Minor injuries in five-car accident Air bags caused minor injuries to several people in a five-car wreck Tuesday morning on the Ronald Reagan Highway.
Reading Patrolman Dennis Delay said the accident occurred about 9 a.m. as traffic was detoured into one lane to avoid a pothole repair area between Ridge Avenue and Plainfield Road.
One car hit another, both going east. Three other vehicles were involved in the accident before police could close off traffic. Traffic was shut down about 30 minutes, Patrolman Delay said.
Members wanted for police review panel City Manager John Shirey is looking for applications from people who want to be members of the city's new citizens police review panel.
After months of lobbying from neighborhood groups and African-American leaders, Cincinnati City Council voted last month to form a seven-member panel to review allegations of police misconduct.
The legislation gave the city manager authority to pick the seven members. Mr. Shirey said he will take applications until March 15.
The city manager asked those interested to submit an application that includes a statement explaining why he or she wants to be a member; a biography or resume; and two letters of nomination.
Applicants must be city residents and agree to a background check. Applications should be submitted to the Cincinnati Citizens Police Review Panel, Box 14359, Cincinnati 45250.
22 dogs, six cats die in house fire MASSILLON, Ohio — Twenty-two dogs and six cats were killed in a fire at a house where a woman had been mauled 45 minutes earlier, authorities said Tuesday.
Some pets were burned and others apparently died of smoke inhalation. They were found throughout the first floor of the 11/2-floor wood-frame house, Massillon Fire Chief Tom Matthews said.
The animal control office in this city about 60 miles south of Cleveland said one dog survived the fire.
Paramedics were called to the house about 9:45 p.m. Monday to help Gertrude Lare, 72, who had suffered numerous dog bites, some of them severe, Assistant Fire Chief Dennis Brumbaugh said. Ms. Lare was listed in serious condition at Akron City Hospital on Tuesday.
Suburbanites, you can help your library
E-check leads to bribe charge
Innocent man spends week in jail
Better world at the tip of his tongue
Cold, hard look for regional rail
New transit center, big question
Abortion foes ordered to pay for Web site threats
Accusation not the first for teacher
Auto racing meeting becomes lovefest
More Morrow cop violations surface
Costs force networks to get real
Father gets 26 years in baby death
Groundhogs scarce here, so substitute squirrels
Psychedelic mushrooms confiscated
School bond issue defeated
Soccer team takes new home - new name next?
Union rips paid leave for officer
Blood drive counting on Fairfield
Boone housing plan: 1,200 units
Covington alternative for 12th St. is promoted
Flu-like illness shows up at schools
Nursing home rehab closer
Opening account lands suspect in jail
Storks frequent fliers at St. Elizabeth
Tax conspiracy trial goes to jury
TRISTATE DIGEST
Wayne schools considering levy
West Chester searches for new identity
