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Local News

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Experts: Woman on knees when shot
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
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  LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...
adam wrote in article "Village patrols may be restored in future":
concerned
“ i totally agree with you! when you call them nothing happens (unless you have a little bit of pot). I called police on a passed... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 3:21:12 PM
adam wrote in article "Corn dust bothers elevator neighbor":
grain
“ hey if you dont like the problems caused by this you should move. Otherwise shut up and count your blessings that YOU have a pla... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 3:15:05 PM
adam wrote in article "Two charged after robbery":
pizza
“ you would be amazing sometimes the ammount they carry. Sometimes its a whole nights woth of working that they gota payback. ” Read More...
11/20/2009 3:10:23 PM
TG wrote in article "Village patrols may be restored in future":
Capt. Treece
“ Why don't you put your money where your mouth is Capt. Treece. Bring out those numbers. The correct ones. I bet you make almo... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 2:52:23 PM
Chilli wrote in article "Extra enforcement slated for Saturday due to big game":
Extra Enforcement
“ I always wonder why they tell the public what roads are choosen for patrols. Can't the drunk driver just go another route? ” Read More...
11/20/2009 2:48:36 PM
james wrote in article "Village patrols may be restored in future":
buddies
“ Thats not the way we see it ,,if you retire and can and do ,,,move on,, We the people of this county do not approve of this pra... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 2:01:31 PM
Get Real wrote in article "Two charged after robbery":
Why is this thug on the street anyway?
“ I believe if you review some history, this creep robbed a pizza driver in August of 2007 two years ago and was involved in a st... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 1:35:27 PM
Scott wrote in article "Two charged after robbery":
Robbery
“ While I agree with most of Cathy Schulte's comments, I don't agree with, "Good of her to fight back." How stupid would it be to... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 1:28:20 PM
JP wrote in article "Corn dust bothers elevator neighbor":
Grains, trains and automobiles
“ I live in North Baltimore, a pitching wedge from the grain elevator and a chip shot from the CSX main line.

It IS dustier he... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 11:44:07 AM
Cathy Schulte wrote in article "Two charged after robbery":
Robbery
“ How dumb ! How much could money a pizza delivery person have? To risk prision for any amount is crazy,but to rob a person of cha... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 11:34:18 AM
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Upper's Winter Fantasy of Lights
News Briefs Work scheduled on Findlay streets
Findlay's Main Street, northbound, will be reduced at times to one lane between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for waterline connection.

Main Street will not be accessible from East Lincoln Street. Lincoln Street will be closed to through traffic from South Main Street to South Blanchard Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for continued improvement work. Access to local businesses and residents only will be maintained.

Recount planned in trustee's race
OTTAWA -- After certifying election results on Wednesday, the Putnam County Board of Elections has announced a recount will be required for the Union Township trustee race, according to Deputy Director Shelly Burkhart.

The recount will be completed on Wednesday at the county elections board office, 336 E. Main Street, Ottawa.

Incumbent Daniel R. Ellerbrock has secured his position on the board, earning 685 votes. However the remaining trustee spot will require a recount as Gery P. Wurth earned 598 votes and Mark J. Kahle collected 601 votes, according to official results.

An automatic recount is necessary if the margin is within one-half of 1 percent of total votes cast, according to state law.

Road to be closed
Forest Lake Drive, between Marion Township 237 and Indian Lake Drive/Forest Lane, will be closed today for a pipe installation.

The road is expected to open by 5 p.m., weather permitting.

Motorists are advised to use Township 242.