Hamilton County prosecutors Monday reiterated their arguments in the case of convicted killer John W. Byrd Jr., who is hoping to avoid execution.

        Prosecutors, who filed their response to Mr. Byrd's contentions of innocence Monday, say the claims are a “common ploy” that should not affect the Sept. 12 execution.

        Mr. Byrd was convicted of the 1983 murder of convenience store clerk Monte Tewksbury during a robbery in Colerain Township. He now contends he did not kill Mr. Tewksbury, but that one of his accomplices did.

        The argument was rejected in May by Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Steven Martin. Defense attorneys have appealed the decision to the 1st District Court of Appeals.

        Prosecutors contend Mr. Byrd, 37, is attempting to avoid execution by blaming a co-defendant who can no longer be charged with the crime.

        Defense attorney say they have a signed confession from John Brewer swearing that he, not Mr. Byrd, stabbed Mr. Tewksbury.
       

Gunman, accomplice
rob Sayler Park bank

               Police are looking for a male and female who robbed the Warsaw Federal Savings, 6570 Gracely Drive and escaped with an undisclosed amount of money Monday morning.

        The robbers were wearing masks.

        The male pulled a gun and demanded money. No further details were available.
       

Homicide suspected
in apparent beating

               Police are investigating a death that may have been a homicide.

        A person who appeared to have been beaten was found about 10:30 p.m. Friday in the 2600 block of Park Avenue. Walnut Hills. The person died Sunday.

        Police were not releasing the name until relatives could be notified.

        “We don't think a gunshot was involved,” said Lt. Kurt Byrd, public information office commander. “It appears that the person was severely beaten.”
       

Man gets 18 years for
setting woman afire

               A Clifton man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for setting his girlfriend on fire.

        Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Patrick Dinkelacker sentenced Daniel Campbell on Monday. Mr. Campbell, 34, was convicted last month of squirting lighter fluid on his girlfriend, Stacy Porter, and setting her on fire in February.

        Ms. Porter suffered third-degree burns over 29 percent of her body.

        The incident occurred at an apartment in the 200 block of West McMillan Avenue.

        Mr. Campbell initially told authorities he went out for Chinese food, came back to find the apartment on fire and rescued his girlfriend.
       

Avondale man charged
in death of 3-year-old

               A 26-year-old Avondale man was indicted Monday by a Hamilton County grand jury in the death of his girlfriend's 3-year-old son.

        Timothy Akemon, of the 500 block of Camden Ave., has been charged with one count each of special felony murder, felonious assault and endangering a child.

        The indictment contends Mr. Akemon is responsible for the death of Darian Younger. Mr. Akemon allegedly told the boy's mother that the child was sleeping. But when the woman went to check on the toddler, she found him dead.

        If convicted, Mr. Akemon could face life in prison.
       

Man indicted in
rape of two girls

               A Hamilton County grand jury Monday indicted a 51-year-old man who lived in a Green Township motel on three counts of rape.

        David West is accused of raping two sisters, ages 6 and 7, in July when the girls' mother asked him to baby-sit.

        Prosecutors say the attacks happened inside Mr. West's room at the Buckeye Motel, 6222 Harrison Ave., July 19.

        The girls and their mother had been staying in another room and got to know Mr. West. When the mother needed to run an errand she asked him to watch the girls, who were playing outside.

        Prosecutors contend Mr. West brought the girls into his room and raped them while their mother was away.

        When she returned, the girls told her what happened. They were treated at Children's Hospital.
       

Six arrests reduce
"Most Wanted' list

               Six more people came off Cincinnati's Most Wanted list after arrests over the weekend and Monday.

        Among them was Shamshud Din Pickens, wanted in a May 12 shooting in Over-the-Rhine and for two subsequent thefts in which police say he threatened the victims with a gun. He was arrested Saturday in Newport after a Crime Stoppers tipster reported his whereabouts.

        The others:

        • Kareem Williams, wanted for robbery, surrendered Monday at the police division's criminal investigations section.

        • Nate Brock, wanted for robbery, was arrested on Rhode Island Avenue in Bond Hill;

        • Brian Billups, wanted for domestic violence;

        • Bryan Smith, wanted for assault and domestic violence. Police say he shot his brother with a BB gun.

        • Thomas Vincent Smith, wanted for domestic violence, was arrested Sunday on Langdon Farm Road.

        The arrests bring to 27 the number of Most Wanted subjects taken off the 97-person list since it came out July 25. Twenty-six were arrested, one already was dead.

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