Sunday, June 06, 1999
Relative arrested in slaying
Brother-in-law's body found at fishing hole
BY RACHEL MELCER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Young
|
Little
|
At the end of a deserted gravel lane on a cold day in December, 29-year-old Michael Alan Young killed his brother-in-law, police said Saturday.
Mr. Young was arrested Saturday on a charge of murder and is being held in Clermont County Jail in the death of 22-year-old Jeffrey Thomas Little, whose badly decomposed body was found Mondayby fishermen at Little Indian Creek near New Richmond.
Mr. Young's arraignment will be Monday.
More arrests may be forthcoming, Sheriff A.J. “Tim” Rodenberg said. He expects a complicated string of relationships to reveal others who were involved in the crime. “We're trying to put it together, like links in a chain with who knew who.”
One relationship is clear: Mr. Young is the brother of Goshen Township resident Lisa Little, the estranged wife of Mr. Little and the mother of his 2-year-old son. She could not be reached for comment Saturday.
Mr. Little, a manufacturing plant employee who had been living in Ontario, Calif., was drawn back to Clermont County last summer by those family ties. He had been visiting his son, Sheriff Rodenberg said.
But Mr. Little was apparently ready to return to the West Coast when he disappeared in early December. His mother, Sharon Little, had wired him $1,300 for a plane ticket to Ontario — and called Goshen Township Police when he failed to show up.
Police now know that Mr. Little was stabbed and had several broken bones, although the exact cause of death is unclear. He was killed on dry land, not far from the remote fishing hole where his body was found.
“Part of the area was strewn with beer cans, some old and some new. It was an area where people might go back there and park and hang out and drink or smoke. ... But it was remote,” Sheriff Rodenberg said. “If you weren't from around the area or you hadn't been there before, it would be difficult for one to stumble on it.”
Mr. Young, who graduated from Goshen High School in 1987 and, aside from four years spent in California, lived his whole life nearby, could certainly have been aware of it, the sheriff said. He had last been living in the 1300 block of Teal Court in Goshen Township, and was moving to Blanchester.
Although few details of Mr. Young's life were available Saturday, Sheriff Rodenberg said he has a history of run-ins with the law. He spent some time in Warren County Jail on theft charges and was convicted of writing some bad checks in Clermont County in the early '90s. He had an outstanding traffic violation.
But by Saturday evening, Sheriff Rodenberg had not found evidence of previous violence.
Judging by the extent of Mr. Little's injuries, and the lack of any sign of restraint, police say they do not believe Mr. Young acted alone in his brother-in-law's death. Tips from possible witnesses are also leading authorities in other directions.
Anyone with information about the slaying, or about the relationship between the two men, should call the sheriff's department at 732-7500.
This is Crosley Square . . . Signing off
New studios jump Channel 5 from past to future
Wanted: New doctor for cranky patient
Cincinnati opens wallets to GOP
Blackwell's latest foray under fire
Fountain murals cover plywood
Relative arrested in slaying
Smog alert declared for today, Monday
Study of dump a start
CAPITOL INSIDER
Cat lover stays calm
Disabilities are not disabling for Amish
GOP hopefuls hurl the hatchet
If van doesn't fit, jail plan takes a hit
Planet of the Pundits
'Melrose' fans bid, buy big
'Guitar junkie' Gill never planned for fame
The many views of John Twachtman
Artist strived for fresh vision
GET TO IT
Locals admire Torme's multiple talents
Playhouse plans to move on to next stage
Rock Hall to exhibit Linda McCartney photos
Akron 'has come a long way'
Boone grads could get boost
Bromley OKs fee, but lawsuit looms
Car crashes through wall, into apartment
CDT books top dancers, Tony winner
Cross-river neighbors make peace
D-Day: Bulletin by bulletin
Firefighters will install detectors
IRS: Late tax forms don't count
'Mr. Perfect' was always there
Special dancers will have a ball at convention center
TRISTATE DIGEST
Visitors find quality at fair
Working prisoners save money
