Compiled from staff and wire reports

Boxer Tim Austin accused of rape

SPRINGFIELD TWP. - Boxer Tim Austin, 32, was arrested late Thursday on two rape charges after he turned himself in to police. The charges involve a 16-year-old family friend, Springfield Township detectives said.

The alleged attacks happened May 18 while the girl, a friend of the daughter of Austin's fiancee, was spending the night at the boxer's Springfield Township home, Detective Pat Kemper said.

"It was reported the day it happened," Kemper said. "He has been cooperative. He knew an investigation had been going on from the very start."

Evidence from a rape exam, DNA testing and the results of a search warrant led to the arrest, Kemper said.

Austin is free on $50,000 bond.

An arrest report says that Austin had sexual intercourse with the girl twice during the night and that she was in fear of Austin because he is a professional boxer.

"The allegations, and after talking to the witnesses, don't make any sense," Kenneth Lawson, Austin's attorney said. "No one heard anything."

Austin lost his IBF bantamweight title during a fight in February. It was the first defeat in an 11-year pro boxing career.

Undercover drug officer leaves police

The Cincinnati police officer whose stabbing in January was never solved has taken early retirement from the department.

Ricardo Velez, 36, whom the chief described as the best undercover drug officer the department had when he was stabbed, finalized his medical disability paperwork Thursday.

He never returned to work after the incident Jan. 3 in which his fellow officers found him in his car at Jefferson and University in Corryville. He'd been working out at the gym in the Fraternal Order of Police hall in the West End and said he was attacked as he left. He had emergency surgery to repair wounds in his abdomen.

Investigators initially said one of the suspects might have impersonated a police officer. They said they were investigating it as an attempted murder, but did not say if they thought the attack was random or related to his work. No one was ever arrested.

Velez was assigned at the time to the Regional Enforcement Narcotics Unit.

He has been on the force since June 1992.

Workplace attack brings 8-year sentence

HAMILTON - A Butler County judge on Friday sentenced a 22-year-old College Hill man to eight years in prison - the maximum sentence - for a workplace assault on a co-worker in 2002.

Richard D. Woods had pleaded guilty to a second-degree felony assault charge in the Sept. 10 assault of Paul Rozzi at Prestige Display & Packaging in Fairfield.

Rozzi, of West Chester Township, was critically injured in the attack and just recently returned home, where he remains bedridden, said Assistant Prosecutor Brenda Cox.

Two family members told Judge H.J. Bressler that Rozzi's life was forever changed by Woods' actions and he continues to face a long recovery, Cox said.

"I think it was a very appropriate sentence given the injury that Mr. Woods caused," Cox said. "The maximum was clearly warranted."

One dead, one hurt in separate shootings

One man was killed and another shot in the head Friday in separate shootings in the West End.

Killed was Clarence Mosely, 33, of Price Hill. Police said Mosely was standing in front of the Parktown Cafe on Linn Street about 4 p.m. when he was shot.

He was pronounced dead at University Hospital.

Police are looking for a light green Chevrolet AstroVan with dark tint on the windows. The person in the van was wearing a black skull cap, black shirt and black sneakers.

It is the 32nd homicide in Cincinnati this year.

In the other shooting, an unidentified man was taken to University Hospital after being shot in the head in the 800 block of York Street near Linn Street Friday morning.

The man's name and condition were not available, but he was conscious and talking shortly after the shooting, police said.

"We have several witnesses," Cincinnati Police Lt. Kurt Byrd said.

The victim appeared to have been in a car parked on York when he was shot about 11:20 a.m.

Woman inmate dead; found hanged in cell

HAMILTON - A 32-year-old female inmate was found hanging in her cell at the Butler County Jail around 6:40 p.m. Friday.

The county sheriff's office said attempts to revive her failed and she was taken to Fort Hamilton Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The woman's name was withheld pending notification of her family.

Sheriff's officials said the investigation into her death was continuing.