Wednesday, July 14, 1999
TRISTATE DIGEST
Californian's trial in fatal crash delayed
Robert Baxter will have to wait at least two weeks more before learning his prison sentence for causing a fatal crash on Interstate 275.
His sentencing for aggravated vehicular homicide was delayed Tuesday when prosecutors told Judge Richard Niehaus they had learned of another possible conviction in California.
Although the California case involves an unrelated theft charge, it could affect Mr. Baxter's sentencing because the judge must consider prior convictions in his decision. Mr. Baxter's lawyer says his client claims he has no conviction in California.
Mr. Baxter, 39, of Sunnyvale, Calif., pleaded no contest last month to aggravated vehicular homicide in the death of Jefferson Taylor of Taylor Mill.
Prosecutors say he was driving while drunk Feb. 12 when he struck a car driven by Mr. Taylor, 51. Mr. Taylor's family members say his brother, Del Ray Cooper, was killed in a similar accident involving another defendant 14 years ago.
The two sides agreed to return to Hamilton County Common Pleas Court in two weeks so they could verify the records.
Price Hill man accused of kidnapping woman
A Price Hill man accused of kidnapping a woman at gunpoint and later leading police on a road chase was arrested early Tuesday after crashing into a parked van.
Rico Williams, 19, is charged with aggravated robbery, kidnapping and failure to comply, as well as traffic violations.
Cincinnati police say Mr. Williams got into a 38-year-old Bellevue woman's car about 1 a.m. with a gun and told her to drive. According to his arrest report, he stopped in Newport and made the woman get out. He then returned to Cincinnati, where officers tried to stop him.
After a chase through several city police districts, officers said he tried to jump from the car and lost control, crashing into a parked van. Officers say they found him in a parking lot at 180 E. McMillan St.
He suffered a compound fracture to his ankle.
He is being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center and is to be arraigned today.
Young robbery suspect tracked through phone
Cincinnati police called a 14-year-old on a stolen cell phone Monday night, and when the boy agreed to meet the caller, he was arrested on an aggravated robbery charge.
The teen, who is not being named because of his age, is accused of robbing a 22-year-old man at gunpoint as he walked on a ramp by Cinergy Field.
The boy also was wanted on a pending assault charge. His cases are pending in Hamilton County Juvenile Court.
Scuffle with policeman brings assault charged
Cincinnati Police Officer Donald Meece escaped injury early Tuesday after struggling with a Northside man in the 3500 block of Burnet Avenue in Avondale.
Officer Meece had tried to stop Leblond Oliver, 23, for failing to use a crosswalk.
But, according to his arrest report, Mr. Oliver repeatedly tried to grab the officer's gun. Officers said they found a loaded handgun in Mr. Oliver's pocket.
He faces a charge of assault on a police officer, as well as weapons and drug charges. He is being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center and is to be arraigned today.
$3,000 taken in Symmes bank robbery
SYMMES TOWNSHIP — Police are looking for a man who robbed the Centennial Bank, 10640 Loveland-Madeira Road, about 2:50 p.m. Tuesday. The man handed the teller a note demanding money. It said he had a gun, but no weapon was displayed, according to the Hamilton County sheriff's office. No one was injured in the robbery.
The manfled with about $3,000.
Police officers treated to day at River Downs
ANDERSON TOWNSHIP — Police officers from around Greater Cincinnati are being offered free admittance Sunday at River Downs race track for a “Picnic With the Ponies.”
Officers who show a badge between noon and 4 p.m. will receive admittance to a VIP tent with free food and beverages, free parking and pony rides.
Officers and the public can participate in a “Jockey Joust” and a dunking booth. All money raised will benefit the Policeman's Memorial Fund.
Information: 232-8000, Ext. 308.
University of Toledo raises tuition 6%
TOLEDO, Ohio — Tuition will go up 6 percent at the University of Toledo for the fall semester.
The school's trustees voted Tuesday to raise fees the maximum amount allowed by the state. Undergraduate in-state students will pay $4,145 per year, up $250.
University President Vik Kapoor said the money will be used to enhance scholarships and hire new professors.
State senator proposes abuse, neglect registry
COLUMBUS — State Sen. Bob Spada, R-Parma Heights, has sponsored legislation to create a registry for tracking people found to have abused or neglected people with mental retardation or developmental disabilities.
The legislation would allow the state Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Department to track people accused of abuse, neglect or misappropriation of funds or property. If the allegations are substantiated, the employee's name would be entered in the registry.
Organizations providing care for the disabled and mentally retarded would be required to check the registry before hiring someone.
Mr. Spada said he recognized the potential for caregivers to be wrongly accused. He called for a reasonable approach in investigating complaints.
Car wash will fill scholarship fund
COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP — A car wash Saturday at Sam's Club at 5445 Ridge Road near Highland Avenue will benefit the Stacey L. Martin scholarship fund at the University of Dayton.
Washing cars will be interns in the Summer Work Experience in Law. Washes will be 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and are $5 per car and $7-$10 per van or truck.
Ms. Martin was a 1995 Walnut Hills High School graduate, an intern in the law program and a UD soccer player. She collapsed and died during an exhibition game last year.
The program puts black high school and college students with an interest in law in firms, courts and government legal offices. It is sponsored by the Black Lawyers Association of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Bar Association Round Table.
Vision calls for tower to light Covington square
Witnesses vanish; suspect walks
Drug courts offer reprieves in life
Elegant living to help fund affordable housing
Suspect in killings gives up in Sidney
Railroad killings suspect in custody
Sidney says goodbye to slain teen-agers
Coach brought glory to city
Gunman holds police at bay
What women need to know about heart attacks
Kasich will bow to Bush
GET TO IT
Miss Piggy squeals about her new movie
$50K pledged to fight crime
Airport land called suitable for sewage plant
Century-old bridge will be replaced
City hopes to sweep away litter, leave pride behind
Clermont considers adding drug court, but not soon
Covington teen charged with arson
Embarrassment, job loss ruled risks of controversy
Ex-bus driver now transportation boss
Former jail officer's trial on sex charges postponed
Former principal moving up
Former 'victim' says prosecutors can't call him assailant now
Juvenile, other Newport crime mostly down
Lebanon approves tax deal to bring in 45 jobs
Loveland looks to Indy for bike ideas
Middletown/Monroe to seek levy
Middletown picks team for project
Museum is one man's praise of past
Norwood ready to flaunt itself with summer bash
Ohio sheriff is convicted in mob-link case
Schools taking time-outs to help educators improve
TRISTATE DIGEST
Warren Co. bosses get OK of early 'wish lists'
Warren rejects sewer proposal
Who was driver? Hair, blood taken from wreck
