Condon denied retrial over new evidence

Thomas Condon, the photographer convicted of gross abuse of a corpse for taking pictures of bodies at the Hamilton County morgue, will not get a new trial.

Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Norbert Nadel rejected a claim that new evidence came to light during a federal civil case, in which co-defendant Jonathan Tobias admitted taking a photograph that authorities had charged Condon with taking.

Tobias' comments are part of a class-action lawsuit claiming the county was negligent by allowing Condon to take the photos. The county has denied the accusation.

Condon's lawyer, Jennifer Kinsley, said she plans to appeal Nadel's ruling.

Yavneh Day School names interim head

SYCAMORE TWP. - Susan Michel Moore will become interim head of Yavneh Day School, where she served last year as elementary school principal.

In the next year, Moore hopes to underscore the school's commitment to the Jewish values - a devotion to the Torah and Israel - upon which Yavneh was founded more than 50 years ago.

"We are committed to strengthening this foundation," she said. "Yavneh's staff continues to identify the strengths of each student and teach to these strengths in an environment that promotes success and positive self-esteem."

Moore replaces Mitch Flatow, who announced his resignation in June.

Before coming to Yavneh, Moore was director of the Sabis International School of Cincinnati, an inner-city charter school.

In her professional career, she has concentrated on staff development, curricular and instructional design, program evaluation and problem-solving in academic and business settings.

Flatow will serve as consultant during the transition year.

Witnesses help find bank robbery suspect

Citizens helped police Thursday afternoon find a man suspected of robbing the Warsaw Federal Savings Bank in East Price Hill.

Witnesses near the Warsaw Avenue bank called 911 reporting a man trying to find a ride. At least one woman called to say she'd found money, marked with red ink, in her backyard.

David A. Hull, 41, was arrested within about a half hour of the 11:56 a.m. robbery. He was charged with aggravated robbery. Court documents say he passed the teller a note that said, "No bait money or dye packs and no one will get hurt.''

Police found nearly all of the money, but did not disclose the amount.

Officials said Hull has 15 prior convictions for misdemeanors and six for felonies, including robbery, burglary and weapons possession.

This was the seventh robbery of a financial institution in Cincinnati this year.

Warrant issued for suspect in slaying

Cincinnati homicide detectives have obtained a murder warrant against Lorens Elan Harvey, also known as Lorens Elan, in the May 19 shooting death of Major Wright in Westwood.

Harvey, 18, previously lived in Westwood but his current residence is unknown. Police said he frequents the Colerain Township/Springdale area.

He should be considered armed and dangerous, police said.

Harvey is black, 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, with a light complexion. Recent photos show him with a beard and mustache.

Wright, 55, an author, poet and former substitute teacher, was found shot to death in his Westwood apartment.

Anyone with information should call the Criminal Investigations Section at 352-3542 or Crime Stoppers at 352-3040. Callers can remain anonymous and may receive compensation.

Contract given for White Pillars sewers

LOVELAND - City Council has awarded a $447,100 contract to Charles H. Hamilton Co. to install a sewer system for the future development of the 85-acre historic White Pillars property along Ohio 48.

The Maineville operation could begin the project within the next month, according to Tom Carroll, assistant city manager. The work could take up to five months to complete.

Meanwhile, the rest of the project is on hold. Developers Hines-Griffin Joint Venture and Parrott & Strawser want to build homes, town houses and commercial space on 75 of the parcel's 85 acres.

But residents have sued the city because of a change in the zoning code, which would allow the commercial space to be placed in the middle of a residential zone.

Their case is pending with Ohio's 12th District Court of Appeals.

The developers have said they will not break ground until there is a decision on the court case.

In other business at Tuesday's session, council members also established a special planning district for 52 acres along Butterworth Road, north of Brandywine Lane.

Developers Robert Conners and George Stephen Crane want to build up to 150 single-family homes that would sell for $175,000 to $350,000.

- Compiled from staff and wire reports