A judge Wednesday set a $2 million bond for Robert Cordell, the 42-year-old Reading man who authorities say is responsible for the deaths of at least two people — one of them former Reading Mayor Frank Carnevale.

Cordell

        Mr. Cordell, of the 2100 block of Bolser Drive, was arraigned by Hamilton County Municipal Judge Nadine Allen.

        He has been charged with two counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated arson in the shooting deaths of his neighbors, Mr. Carnevale, 72, and his ex-wife, Rita Bushman, 68.

        Homicide investigators also found the body of Mr. Cordell's former sister-in-law, Kathleen Cordell, inside the home they shared.

        Mr. Cordell hasn't been charged in the 40-year-old woman's death; the coroner's office has yet to determine if it was a homicide.

        Reading Police Chief Greg Hilling would say only that Ms. Cordell “is not believed to be a shooting victim.”

        Mr. Carnevale's relatives told police Mr. Cordell may have been angry because his neighbor had taken back a truck he had lent to Mr. Cordell, but police didn't speculate on a motive.

        “At this point, we don't want to talk about a possible motive, mainly because what has happened just doesn't make a lot of sense,” Chief Hilling said.

Carnevale

        Mr. Cordell apparently had had a friendly relationship with Mr. Carnevale and his ex-wife, the chief said.

        “They went out of their way to help him get on his feet; they even lent him money,” said Ruth Carnevale of Delhi Township, a sister-in-law of the late Reading mayor. “They were both very generous, very giving people.

        “None of us can imagine why this person would do something like this,” Mrs. Carnevale said.

        Mr. Carnevale and Ms. Bushman suffered several gunshot wounds in the head early Tuesday. Police say they think the killer set a fire in the home in an attempt to cover up the slayings.

        Their bodies were found by firefighters responding to a call about smoke coming from the couple's basement.

        Autopsies determined the murder weapon was a .22-caliber handgun, officials said. Police said they took five handguns from the Cordell home Tuesday, including several .22-caliber weapons.

        Chief Hilling said Wednesday that Mr. Cordell had no criminal record in the area.

        Officials think the killings occurred after 9:30 p.m. Monday, and that Ms. Cordell was slain before Mr. Carnevale and Ms. Bushman.

Deals provide 'turning point'
Leaders scramble to show progress
Linking cases greased deal's final resolution
Over-the-Rhine waits for reality
Plaintiffs greet agreement with hope
Plan may alter policy more than beat
Police monitor called crucial to enforcing settlement
Suburbs take news with passing interest
Text of Collaborative Agreement
Text of Justice Dept. Agreement
Agencies' members embrace change
Cincinnati may set a precedent
Business responds to call for change
CAN has plan for safe streets
Neighbor arraigned in 2 deaths
Winter won't wither
Cardinal pays visit to area
County gives away ballpark plaza bricks
IT high school's success draws governor's praise
Peace hopes, prayers
Tristate A.M. Report
Wyoming group slows down on land-use plan
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: Death row tale
RADEL: The settlement
Guilty verdict in death case
Hospital would add 3,200 jobs
Subdivisions may be allowed to pick schools
Cooper'stown serves 'em up in Cleveland
Judge to Traficant: Quit 'dillydallying' on defense
Ohio court expands search power
Ohio man accused of fraud
Panel to study officials' ties to party
Campbell OKs social services budgets
Lawmakers leave bills in limbo
NKU sculpture's destruction called an accident
Officers to be honored for bravery