Tuesday, March 28, 2000
Driver in fatal wreck skips court
Warrant issued for Padilla
BY STEVE KEMME
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON — A man facing two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide failed to show up Monday for his trial in Butler County Common Pleas Court.
Sheriff's deputies were still searching for Jesus Padilla late Monday.
Mr. Padilla, 42, a native of Mexico, had been living in Hamilton for eight years.
When he failed to show for the start of jury selection at 9 a.m. Monday for his scheduled five-day trial, Judge H.J. Bressler issued a warrant for his arrest and revoked his $200,000 bond.
Besides the aggravated vehicular homicide charges, Mr. Padilla also is charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, driving while intoxicated and driving with a suspended license.
All the charges stem from a Sept. 13 fatal car crash on Tylersville Road in Union Township.
Authorities say the van Mr. Padilla was driving crossed the center line in the 4600 block of Tylersville Road and struck a Ford Ex plorer head-on, flipping it onto its top.
The two occupants, Cecil R. Shope, 55, of Cincinnati, and Sandra G. Shircliff, 47, of Maineville, died at the scene.
Mr. Padilla has been convicted twice of DUI.
His attorney, John Smith, said he last met with Mr. Padilla Thursday to prepare for the trial.
On Monday morning members of Mr. Padilla's family came to court late and said they could not find him, Mr. Smith said.
“They were very upset,” he said.
Mr. Padilla reportedly speaks very little English and doesn't write it at all. A translator had been hired for his trial.
Sheriff's Sgt. Jeff Gebhart said three officers spent Monday hunting for clues to Mr. Padilla's whereabouts.
A notice of the warrant for his arrest has been placed on a nationwide law enforcement computer.
Anyone with information about Mr. Padilla should call Sgt. Gebhart at 887-3676 during business hours. After business hours, call the sheriff's dispatcher at 887-3010.
“People should call even if they think it's only a minute piece of information,” Sgt. Gebhart said. “It may fit into the puzzle we have before us and help us find him.”
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