Friday, August 20, 1999
TRISTATE DIGEST
p8 4 indicted in beating death of immigrant
A Hamilton County grand jury indicted four men Thursday on charges of murdering an immigrant from Ecuador during a bar fight in April.
The four defendants are accused of fatally beating Mesias Gonzalez outside a Corryville bar on April 24. Police say Mr. Gonzalez, 20, fought with the men as he left the bar and was later found on the street by friends.
He slipped into a coma at University Hospital and died May 6.
Mr. Gonzalez had been in Cincinnati for about eight months, living in Forest Park and working as a skilled plasterer at Synthetic Stucco Corp.
One of the defendants, 21-year-old Anibal Hernandez, was arrested two weeks ago at a Kentucky truck stop. The others — Mario Salazar, 26; Francisco Javier Rodriquez Martinez, 26; and Mauricio Salazar — have not been apprehended.
All four are charged with one count of murder and face 15 years to life in prison.
Free health screenings offered at black event
Even as Cincinnati officials plan to increase spending to address African-American health issues, several private health organizations will have a strong presence at this weekend's Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion at Sawyer Point.
The Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati, Children's Hospital Medical Center and the local chapter of the American Cancer Society will run a Health Pavilion noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Attendees can get free blood pressure, body fat and prostate screenings, and coupons for free cholesterol screenings. Volunteers also will be available to answer questions about diseases that strike African-Americans at disproportionately high rates.
Earlier this month, City Council approved giving $150,000 to the African-American Health Network, an agency that hopes to reverse national and local trends that show blacks have higher rates than whites for infant mortality, stroke, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and AIDS.
Mom won't face 2nd trial in child's death
Prosecutors will not seek a second murder trial for Belanda Moore.
Ms. Moore, 29, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and child endangering last week for the beating death of her 7-year-old daughter, Jasmine.
Her jury, however, could not reach a unanimous verdict on three other charges, including murder.
At a hearing Thursday before Judge Robert Kraft, assistant prosecutor Richard Gibson said he would not pursue the murder charge at another trial.
He said prosecutors are satisfied because Ms. Moore already faces up to 18 years in prison. A murder conviction could carry a life sentence.
Attorneys on both sides will return to Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Oct. 4 for sentencing.
City police sergeant charged with burglary
A Cincinnati police sergeant was charged Thursday with breaking into a Green Township home.
Sgt. Dawn Sherman, 35, remains free on bond after police charged her with burglary. The 10-year police veteran is accused of breaking into the home of Kristie J. Johnson on the evening of Aug. 15.
Ms. Sherman's attorney, Jay Clark, said his client knew Ms. Johnson and “there is more to this than just a simple burglary.”
“There was a close, personal relationship that went bad,” he said.
In an affidavit, Ms. Johnson said she arrived home to find Sgt. Sherman sitting in her living room in the dark, watching TV. After about 20 minutes, Ms. Johnson said, Sgt. Sherman agreed to go but said, “Don't call me for the location of your things.”
Ms. Johnson said she later realized several items were missing from her home.
A Cincinnati police spokesman said an administrative investigation is under way. Sgt. Sherman's police powers have been suspended pending the resolution of the case.
Cleanup of school land could be pushed ahead
MARION, Ohio — An Army Corps of Engineers official said cleanup of contaminated land at River Valley High School may begin earlier than expected.
Kevin Jasper, corps project manager for the cleanup, said Wednesday night at a public meeting that the corps was likely to target 2001 as the year to begin the project. The corps had said earlier that the work wasn't likely to get under way before 2002 or 2003.
Authorities began testing soil around the school two years ago after an abnormally high number of leukemia cases appeared among former River Valley students.
The campus was built on a dump site for an Army vehicle depot during World War II.
Waste oil and solvents have been found in several athletic fields. A 10-acre area including the fields has been roped or fenced off. Mr. Jasper said it will take until 2001 to study the area and determine how best to clean it up.
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Blind rafters enjoy Little Miami adventure
6 file for school board spots
Middletown will elect new leaders
No candidates for 9 posts in Warren
Seven running for Mason council
Family reflects on blessings after crash
GET TO IT
Homework is for parents, too
What parents say about getting involved
Park benches with pizazz
Other Artworks programs
Storyteller performances open Taft exhibit season
County finally hears voters
Food banks Y2K-ready
How to help earthquake victims
Hundreds on ballot in Hamilton County
Judge sets strict rules in porn trial
Man dies from apparent electrocution
Marilyn Sheppard's body to be exhumed
N.Ky. leaders boost workers' training center
New roof shields fairgoers
New system speeds fingerprint IDs in Ohio
Shooting death stuns family
Teachers union sues schools
TRISTATE DIGEST
Truck driver in fatal crash likely to post bond
Woodlawn rights case referred
