2 arrested in armed robbery of food mart

        ERLANGER — Two armed robbery suspects were no match for Donaldson Road traffic.

        Two Cincinnati men were charged with armed robbery Thursday after one allegedly robbed the JD Food Mart with an automatic handgun.

        They got no further than a half-mile eastbound down heavily congested Donaldson Road before four Erlanger policemen apprehended them near the Interstate 75 interchange.

        According to police reports, Christopher Monahan, 20, and Julian Sternberg, 19, both of Cincinnati, were arrested about 2:30 p.m.

        A clerk at the food mart at 648 Donaldson Road told police that one man entered the store, showed a handgun, took an unspecificed amount of cash and fled. The two men were driving a 1983 Toyota Corolla.

        There were no reports of injury at the robbery scene or the apprehension scene, Erlanger Police Assistant Chief Jeff Kennedy said.

        Police recovered a handgun, cash and an orange mask from the car. The suspects were taken to Kenton County Jail in Covington.

        Assistant Chief Kennedy said Erlanger is not experiencing any statistically noticeable increase in holdup-style robberies.
       

Jailer ends policy that cut sentences

        COVINGTON — Effective Monday, the Kenton County jailer is ending a long-standing policy of giving prisoners a day of credit, or “good time,” for every day spent in jail.

        “From now on, they'll serve out the entire sentence that the judge gives them,” Kenton County Jailer Terry Carl said.

        Mr. Carl said the “two-for-one” policy was in effect when he took over as jailer in January 1999, mainly to relieve crowded conditions in the jail.

        However, with last year's opening of a minimum security jail wing designed to hold up to 90 inmates, and a smaller inmate population, the crowded conditions have been relieved somewhat, Mr. Carl said.

        More staff training also has resulted in a more efficient operation.

        “Now we're at the point where we can better manage the increased population,” Mr. Carl said.

        The jailer added police have complained that they're frustrated at arresting the same offenders over and over again.

        “If someone got caught for something for the second or third time, he only had to serve half his time under the two-for-one policy,” Mr. Carl said. “Now, if someone commits a crime, they'll do the complete time.”
       

Man, 21, charged in beating of infant

        LOUISVILLE — A 21-year-old man was arraigned on charges that he beat his 10-month-old son last week and did not seek medical treatment for him until four days later.

        Jaaron McAtee is charged with first-degree criminal abuse and second-degree assault. He was being held in the Jefferson County Jail in lieu of $100,000 full cash bond.

        Police said the boy had been in critical condition at Kosair Children's Hospital. A hospital official could confirm only that the infant was a patient. The hospital cannot release his condition because Child Protective Services has responsibility for him.

        Mr. McAtee is accused of striking his son with his fist when the infant would not stop crying last Thursday, said Officer Robert Biven, spokesman for Jefferson County police. The baby was taken to Kosair on Monday, according to the arrest slip.

        “He struck him on the top of his head with a fist and did not seek medical attention for the child for four days,” Officer Biven said.

        The baby suffered numerous skull fractures, the citation said.
       

Doctor charged with selling prescriptions

        HARLAN, Ky. — A Harlan County physician was arrested Thursday for allegedly selling prescriptions for a pain medication.

        Dr. Ali Sawaf, 50, of Harlan, was taken into custody at his office shortly before noon.

        An indictment alleges that Dr. Sawaf prescribed controlled substances for individuals without a legitimate medical purpose. He was charged with six counts of illegally prescribing drugs, three counts of bribery of a public servant, three counts of intimidating a witness, two counts of being a persistent felony offender.

        All are felony charges.
       

Lawyer held in contempt for "Judge Judy' remarks

        LOUISVILLE — A lawyer was held in contempt for addressing a male district judge as “Judge Judy” several times in court.

        The disruption occurred Wednesday before District Judge Sean Delahanty, said Debbie Linnig Michals, a spokeswoman for the circuit court clerk's office.

        Attorney Leonard Medley was representing a client when he referred to Judge Delahanty as Judge Judy “four or five times in the courtroom, very loud, to where it was causing a disturbance,” Ms. Michals said.

        Judge Judy, or Judy Sheindlin, is a no-nonsense judge who hears court proceedings in one of the highest-rated syndicated shows on television.

        Judge Delahanty gave Mr. Medley at least two verbal warnings, but Mr. Medley continued to call him Judge Judy, Ms. Michals said.

        Judge Delahanty held Mr. Medley in contempt of court and ordered sheriff's deputies to place him in a secured area where criminals are kept until court proceedings were finished, Ms. Michals said.

        Mr. Medley was returned to court later and the “issue was resolved,” said Judge Delahanty, who did not wish to say more.

        Reached at his home Wednesday evening, Mr. Medley said, “It may not be in my best interest to say anything at this point.”
       

Woman with Down syndrome dies in fire

        GLOMAWR, Ky. — A woman with Down syndrome died after trying to escape a house fire through a door that had been padlocked by her father, officials said.

        The body of Diane Smith, 39, was inside the rear door of the home south of Hazard.

        Her father, William Smith, said he had left for the store about 10 minutes before the fire broke out, and no one else was home.

        Kentucky State Police and social service agencies were investigating.

        The woman's sister, Elizabeth Campbell, who is Mr. Smith's daughter, said that the family is devastated by Ms. Smith's death and that her father “was always leaving her alone, and always kept her locked up in there.”

        Mr. Smith said he loved his daughter and provided good care for her.

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