Relatives of the former Reading mayor who was murdered in April met Friday with police to find out if investigators made a mistake that allowed the killer to escape a death sentence.

        “I understand that the police were doing their best at the time and may have got caught up in the emotion of getting all the evidence they needed in order to get an aggravated murder charge. But, again, I guess mistakes were made no matter what,” said John George, a son-in-law of former Mayor Frank Carnevale and his ex-wife Rita Bushman.

        Police obtained a confession from their main suspect, Robert Cordell, 42, by enticing him with an open beer. He was never actually allowed to drink the beer, said Reading Police Lt. Scott Snow.

        A defense lawyer for Mr. Cordell disagreed, the Associated Press reported.

        “I heard the tapes and, in my opinion, they gave him the beer,” Will Welsh said. “It was psychological. He was an alcoholic.”

        Mr. Cordell pleaded guilty Tuesday to strangling his former sister-in-law, Kathleen Cordell, 40, with whom he lived, and going next door to fatally shoot Mr. Carnevale, 72, and Ms. Bushman, in their home. He also pleaded guilty to aggravated arson and aggravated robbery.

        Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike Allen said he spoke with the family himself and let them know there were “issues in the case that could present problems” but if they had wanted to proceed to trial prosecutors would have.

        With the family's permission, prosecutors agreed to drop the capital death classification against Mr. Cordell, in favor of 81 years to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 63 years.

        The beer was “a prop, a ploy,” Lt. Snow said. “We as police officers are allowed to be deceptive to people as long as we don't promise them things that could benefit their cases - like leniency. ... But I can lie about things that would not have benefited him, like the beer.”

Bush puts war spotlight on Cincinnati
Suburbanites mobilizing on local issues
Recent examples of neighbors fighting back
Luken scolds Ohio Legislature
School districts weigh pop policy
Warren County, UC explore partnership
GUTIERREZ: For good time, call clowns
McNUTT: Glendale's history safe and protected
RADEL: Father, son learn about life on trail
Police investigate homicide in Norwood
Police: Offering beer to killer OK
Teen sought in stabbing at mall
Flat giving holds back United Way
Group holds voter signup
Police grant to build trust
School vows to defy state, stay open
Storms, high winds cut power to 35,000
Beech Acres Park plans intensify
CAA appealing dismissal of civil suit
Congrats
Faith Matters: More seek to become priests
Firefighters to hold annual memorial
Forest Park to reward recycling
Group rebuilding after theft
Man, 65, guilty of molesting two girls
Sisters of Charity celebrate 150th
Sycamore Twp. board rejects sales tax boost
Tentative deal to avoid school strike
Foes share desire for Bush link
Lawyers dissect strategy in Patton case
Patton seeks Conner leak
N.Ky. technical school renamed
Overturned tanker jams AA Highway