Tuesday, February 01, 2000
AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH
Woman sues jailer in brother's death
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — The sister of Michael Labmeier, who died last year during a stay at Kenton County Jail, is suing Kenton County Jailer Terry Carl, county commissioners and several jail deputies.
Caroline Fuller of Cincinnati charges that her mentally ill brother was subjected to excessive force and inadequate medical care before his death. She is seeking damages and a trial.
The lawsuit that she filed Friday in U.S. District Court states that her brother, a College Hill resident, was released from University Hospital's psychiatric unit on Jan. 11. He was arrested and jailed on Jan. 25 and 26 on disorderly conduct charges and on Jan. 27 for allegedly stealing a car.
It was during the last stay that Mr. Labmeier was placed in an isolation cell and refused to eat and take his medication, court documents state.
On Jan. 29, he became agitated and delusional. The jail's medical staff called the Covington Life Squad so that Mr. Labmeier could be transported to St. Elizabeth Medical Center North for a psychiatric evaluation.
Before the squad arrived, deputies sprayed mace into the cell and hog tied Mr. Labmeier, who was about 5 feet 11 inches and 300 pounds. He had stopped breathing when Covington Life Squad members arrived, according to the lawsuit. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Kenton County police already have conducted a three-month investigation and ruled that Mr. Labmeier died from a heart attack and not excessive force.
Pair sentenced in bank robbery The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — Duane Finnell and Antonio Jordan, two of four men originally charged in a February bank robbery that resulted in gunfire, were sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court.
U.S. District Judge Joseph Hood sentenced Mr. Jordan of Bond Hill to 15 years in prison and Mr. Finnell of Covington to 12. They had pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy and armed bank robbery.
On the morning of Feb. 3, Mr. Jordan, Mr. Finnell and Donald Evans of Covington entered the Fifth Third Bank at Sixth Street and Madison Avenue.
They soon fled on foot, carrying a flowered pillowcase filled with money. Gunfire was exchanged when Covington Officer Mike McGuffey tried to stop them. No one was hurt.
Mr. Evans received a 15-year prison sentence late last year. Roddrick Blackwell of Covington, who allegedly drove the bank robbers to the bank, was acquitted.
Kenton County to combine meetings The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — Effective Feb. 22, Kenton Fiscal Court will start holding one meeting each month in cities throughout the county.
“What we're trying to do is combine the town hall meetings and the fourth caucus meeting to ensure better participation,” said Scott Kimmich, deputy judge-executive. “Hopefully, we'll have more people and people won't have to give up their Saturdays, especially during the summer months.”
The meeting will be at 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
The schedule will be as follows: Feb. 22, Edgewood City Hall; March 28, Crescent Springs city building; April 25, Fort Mitchell city building; May 23, Fort Wright city building; June 27, Villa Hills city building; July 25, Taylor Mill city building; Aug. 22, Erlanger city building; and Sept. 26, Crestview Hills city building.
Meeting locations have not been confirmed for October and November.
3-hour grace period in snow emergency The Cincinnati Enquirer
EDGEWOOD — Motorists in this city now have a three-hour grace period after a snow emergency is declared, before they risk getting ticketed, City Administrator Roger Rolfes said.
The policy change came about after a snow emergency declared at 11 p.m. on Jan. 19 prompted the issuance of 100 tickets.
Some residents complained that tickets were issued before they were aware that a snow emergency had been declared, and 20 who were ticketed sought a hearing to appeal.
Mr. Rolfes said a check of citations showed that some were issued within an hour of the city's declaring a snow emergency.
“Basically, for this particular situation, anyone whose ticket was (issued) within four hours of the declaration of the snow emergency, can have their ticket exonerated,” Mr. Rolfes said. Anyone who already paid a fine for a ticket issued within four hours of the city's declaring a snow emergency can ask for a refund.
The tickets carry a $25 fine.
If they aren't paid, or the recipient fails to ask for a hearing within seven days, the fine doubles.
Drivers who fail to get their vehicles off city streets during snow emergencies make it harder to plow streets, Mr. Rolfes said. The vehicles also risk getting hit, and can cause an accident.
Man dies after parking-lot mishap The Associated Press
LOUISVILLE — A man killed Wednesday in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant on the city's South Side died of internal injuries from a freak accident, authorities said.
Witnesses said Keith J. Davis, 42, swerved his pickup to avoid a car in the parking lot of the White Castle restaurant, Deputy Coroner Sam Weakley said Sunday.
The truck's door flew open, and Mr. Davis, clinging to the steering wheel, was hanging partially out of the pickup when the door hit a utility pole. He was crushed between the door and the truck.
Jury selection begins in officer-slaying trial The Associated Press
DANVILLE — Jury selection began Monday in the trial of John Paul Works, charged in the October 1998 slaying of Harrodsburg police Officer Regina Nickles.
Mr. Works has been charged with murder in the death of Officer Nickles, shot twice on Oct. 14, 1998, as she investigated a report of a prowler at a Harrodsburg factory.
The 15-year veteran is the only policewoman ever killed in the line of duty in Kentucky.
Circuit Judge Darrin Peckler plans to seat a jury, then begin the trial March 20.
The case was moved from Harrodsburg to nearby Danville because of extensive publicity.
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AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH
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DeWine, GOP groups report millions
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Felicity fire started in bedroom
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McConnell denies targeting first lady
Middleton joins Kenton prosecutor's office
Newport to change sign rules
Norwood ex-chief retires with deal for $130,000
Officer who shot driver questioned
On second look, candidate passes test
Sheriff wants jail to include tribute to fallen officers
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