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Local News

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Experts: Woman on knees when shot
Scrambler Marie's Breakfast Bistro & Lunch
LIMA (AP) — A woman shot and killed by a police officer during a drug raid was likely on her knees and complying with a SWAT team's orders to get down when she was hit in the neck and chest, two experts testified Wednesday at the officer's trial.

A forensic pathologist and firearms expert each said that bullet wounds indicate that Tarika Wilson, 26, wasn't standing.

Sgt. Joseph Chavalia has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor counts of negligent homicide and negligent assault. He faces up to eight months in jail if convicted of both counts.

Prosecutors rested their case Wednesday. Defense testimony will begin Thursday.

The shooting during a drug raid in January set off protests and debate about race relations in the city, where one in four residents is black.

Wilson, who was black, was unarmed and holding her 1-year-old son when she was shot. The boy also was hit and had a finger amputated.

She was partially behind a door in an upstairs bedroom with her five other children when officers downstairs began shooting at two pit bulls.

Chavalia, who is white, told another officer that he thought the shots were coming from the bedroom.

"I said, 'Joe, what happened?'" testified Lt. Chip Protsman, the commander of the SWAT team. "He said, 'They were firing at me from the bedroom, and I shot back.'"

Protsman said he found Chavalia alone in the middle of the hallway while other officers were running into the bedroom.

Chavalia was coming up a stairway when he shot Wilson.

Eleven officers raided the house on Jan. 4 looking for her boyfriend, Anthony Terry. He was arrested and pleaded guilty in March to charges of drug trafficking.

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2 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
Coletta wrote:
Do the people who support the war on drugs really care?
“ Let's see... If we end the war on drugs the pros would be better pay to fewer and better cops. More money for teachers. A slashed criminal justice system... Many prisons could be shut down all together. A generally lowered hate of law enforcement across America. Americans seeing their tax dollars spent on the enrichment of society rather than imprisonment.

The down side would be the mass loss of jobs in the criminal justice system, law enforcement, legal fields, and the loss of profits to illegal drug traffic. Resulting in a decrease in the illegal drug trade from buyer, to gangs, to drug Lords. Is this the real reason that the war on drugs will never end? The legal system feeds and lives on this war on drugs... So they subject the people they are to serve and protect to prison rather than rehabilitation. Do you think traffic violations, drunk driving, and violent crimes (witch most are related to access to or the sale of illegal drugs) would keep these fat judges on the bench very long? These are the very people who do not want an end to the war on drugs or their fat paying jobs. But here again they are the ones in control, you and I have but only the right to obey their set in stone laws of prosperity for the rich and prison for the non compliant lower class poor.
 ”
Wednesday, September 03, 2008 2:05:22 AM
Steve Cooper wrote:
Acceptable loss?
“ Another victim of the failed War on [Some] Drugs. There are dozens of such stories every year.

Botched raids, innocents held at gunpoint, police 'flaking' drugs to try to cover their foul-up, all are documented actions by a militarized police force.

Our civil liberties have been stripped of any meaning, with warrentless searches, flimsy probable cause, and testalying.

The 4th, 5th, and 9th amendments to the US Constitution are almost meaningless in the face of current police & prosecutorial tactics.

Since when is the death of an innocent civilian - strike that; innocent CITIZEN an acceptable loss in the War on [Some] Drugs?

Why do the police refer to citizens as 'civilians' ... more militaristic thinking on Law Enforcement's part. Military apparel and haircuts are part of the paramilitary mythos that is being propagated 'in the name of safety'.

Ben Franklin said, "He who gives up freedom in hope of safety deserves neither." ”
Thursday, July 31, 2008 3:22:57 PM
   NEWS VIDEO

Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
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  LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...
just sayin wrote in article "31 charged in Hardin drug probe":
drugs
“ sick of the whiners...kenton has more drugs than findlay ?how would you know that unless your involved in the drug scene?I love... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 12:08:35 PM
tired of this wrote in article "Shooting video":
benton ridge shooting
“ Well leave it to the courier to keep sterring the pot. The video that the courier itself posted clearly shows the suspect jump o... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 12:03:53 PM
just sayin wrote in article "Heroin outbreak":
the courier
“ what good does it do to blog on the couriers web site when the courier only post the blogs they want you to read how about posti... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 12:02:38 PM
retired OH cop in MT wrote in article "Shooting video released":
shooting
“ Nate.....after reading your comments, you wouldn't live long on the street as a police officer. I was involved in two shootings... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 11:30:30 AM
SICK OF THE WHINERS wrote in article "31 charged in Hardin drug probe":
DRUG BUST
“ Kenton has alot more drugs than Findlay!!! To those of you who don't like Hancock county, LEAVE! Everytime law enforcement in... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 11:19:09 AM
The Layman wrote in article "Parole denied in murder case":
Out of control
“ I'm sorry but there are way too many personal attacks allowed on this forum. You invalidate your point when you stray from the f... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 11:08:44 AM
j wrote in article "Many winners named as Hancock Fair opens":
Good but little expensive
“ The fair was interesting, but at $5 for the more popular rides on the expensive side, same with the food, many people commented... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:37:10 AM
JM wrote in article "McComb couple is serious about fair competition":
Very nice!
“ What a lovely article. Will have to check out their goods at the fair. ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:21:42 AM
Ed wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Dirt bag...
“ A head shot would have put an end to the both dirt bag's chance of getting more money. NATE: could it be that you have some fir... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 9:53:26 AM
Yfkm wrote in article "Heroin outbreak":
Denial
“ To Tony and TL Every good citizen, parent and public official advocates the eradication of drugs from our communities; you are n... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 9:08:20 AM
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.