Eagle Country 99.3 News

Stephenson Held Without Bond; Pleads Not Guilty - May 17, 2012 1:34:46 pm

Charles Stephenson exits the courtroom following his intial hearing in Dearborn Circuit Court Thursday.

Mike Perleberg-Eagle 99.3

Charles "Steve" Stephenson

Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center

Update posted at 4:25 p.m.:

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) – Charles “Steve” Stephenson made his first court appearance on murder and robbery charges in Dearborn County Thursday afternoon.

The 58-year-old from Walton, Kentucky is accused in the brutal murder of Leigh Jennings in her Aurora apartment on March 29. Detectives believe Stephenson beat her to death with a skillet and pepper grinder before he took money from her bedroom safe.

Dearborn Circuit Court Judge James Humphrey entered a plea of not guilty for Stephenson, who appeared in the courtroom in an orange jumpsuit and reading glasses. The murder suspect was ordered held without bond.

Humphrey said he would assign Stephenson a public defender if he or relatives could not afford their own legal counsel.

Indiana law allows for a murder committed in the process of a robbery to be punished by death. Dearborn County Prosecutor Aaron Negangard said the decision to seek death has not yet been made.

“I’m not going to make a time frame on that decision. We’ll continue looking at the case. The death penalty or life without parole is a possibility. There is no deadline on when we have to file it,” Negangard said following the hearing.

Two of Leigh Jennings’ friends attended the hearing. Laura Lesko became emotional at seeing the man accused of murdering her friend.

“We lost a really good friend. We’re here in support of her. It’s hard to be in the same room as somebody who has taken a very good life away from all of us,” Lesko said, adding she believes Stephenson, if convicted, should suffer the same fate as Jennings.

Fellow friend Lala Ullrich said that Jennings would probably not like for her killer to die. Ullrich said she will wait as long as it takes to get a conviction.

“The time won’t get Leigh back, so I’m content to wait,” she said.

Stephenson’s next court appearance is a pretrial hearing scheduled for July 2 at 8:30 a.m.

Original story posted at 1:34 p.m.:

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) – The man accused of a murder and robbery in Aurora was booked into jail in Indiana on Thursday.

Charles Robert “Steve” Stephenson was brought from Boone County, Kentucky and booked into the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center just before noon.

Stephenson’s bond will be set when he makes his initial appearance in Dearborn Circuit Court at 3:30 p.m.

Boone County Commonwealth’s Attorneys decided to put tampering with evidence and drug charges against Stephenson on hold so the Dearborn County murder case could proceed. The suspect’s attorney said he wanted to address the murder and robbery charges.

Stephenson, 58, allegedly beat Leigh Jennings to death with an iron skillet and pepper grinder on March 29. Investigators believe he then took money from a safe in Jennings’ Aspen Ridge Road apartment so that he could pay a court ordered debt to his aunt.

Eagle 99.3 will have Stephenson's court appearance covered. Check back for updates.

LINKS:

Murder Suspect Could Arrive In Indiana Wed.

Murder Suspect Charged; Used Pepper Grinder, Skillet

Judge Denies Stephenson Lower Bond

Ky. Prosecutors Link Stephenson To Aurora Murder

Person of Interest Indicted In Boone Co.

“Person of Interest” Arrested For Drugs

Police: Aurora Murder Victim Was Beaten To Death

Announcement Friday In Aurora Murder Case

Friend: Murder Victim Was Nurturing, Animal Lover

Friend Of Murder Victim Remains Hospitalized

Aurora, Florence Murders May Be Connected

Aurora Murder Investigation Continues

Death Investigation Underway In Aurora

Florence Freedom Lead Off 2012 Season - May 17, 2012 12:53:26 pm

(Florence, Ky.) – The boys of summer return to the field in Florence Thursday night.

The Florence Freedom play their first game of the 96-game 2012 season tonight at Champion Window Field. The team is a member of the independent Frontier League.

After finishing last season in last place with a 39-57 record, the Freedom are seeking their first ever Frontier League East Division championship.

"We are here to win a championship. In the Frontier League, there are a lot of roster transactions and turnovers, so it allows each team to turn the season around from year to year. So even though we had a bad season last year, there is no reason we cannot be very competitive in 2012," field manager Fran Riordan said.

First pitch for Thursday’s opening game is at 7:05 p.m. against the Traverse City Beach Bums.

While baseball is the main attraction, the organization gives fans much more entertainment for the price of their ticket. There is a playground for children, affordable concessions, and on-field features between innings.

Friday home games end with a fireworks show. There is live music in the stadium after every Saturday home game. Fans over 21 can enjoy $1 beers during “Thirsty Thursday” home games.

Aircare Called To Worksite Accident - May 17, 2012 12:18:26 pm

The accident victim is transported to a medical helicopter.

AndrusVideo.com

(Elizabethtown, Oh.) - A worker at a Whitewater Township business was seriously injured in a worksite accident Thursday morning.

Aircare was sent to Martin Marietta Aggregates at 10905 U.S. 50 at about 10:30 a.m.

The worker was reported to have suffered a traumatic head injury after falling from a dredging platform. It was 15 minutes before the injury was discovered by co workers.

The victim’s name has not been released. Police told WLWT-TV the victim was expected to recover from the injury.

You can see video from the scene below, courtesy of AndrusVideo.com:

Effort To Rename Road For Soldier Advances - May 17, 2012 8:21:27 am

Sgt. David Kreuter

(Cleves, Oh.) - Bridgetown Road from Cleves to Oak Hills is closer to being renamed for a local soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Marine Sergeant David Kreuter died in an attack in Iraq in 2005. The St. Xavier High School graduate was among 14 soldiers killed in an amphibious vehicle destroyed by a roadside bomb.

A bill to rename 28 Ohio state highways for various soldiers passed the Ohio House on Wednesday.

State Rep. Louis Terhar (R-Green Township) is co-sponsoring the legislation which seeks to rename Ohio 264-Bridgetown Road from Cleves to South Road the “Sergeant David Kreuter Memorial Highway.”

The bill now goes to the Ohio Senate for consideration.

Guilty Plea By Driver Who Caused Fatal Crash - May 17, 2012 7:58:10 am

(Burlington, Ky.) - A man who caused a fatal crash by running a red light has pleaded guilty to reckless homicide.

Vance Coyle, 33, of Independence, was in Boone County Circuit Court on Wednesday, the Kentucky Enquirer reports.

He told the judge he fell asleep at the wheel as he drove home from work last August 28 when he ran the light on U.S. 42 in Union, then hit a vehicle driven by Timothy Lane, of Covington.

Lane would die at an area hospital. Coyle suffered minor injuries in the crash.

With the guilty plea, prosecutors are recommending a 180 days jail sentence and five years probation for Coyle.

Coyle will be allowed on work release during his time in jail. His attorney said that would allow him to provide for his family which includes five children.

Formal sentencing will take place June 13.

LINKS:

Boone Co. Fatal Crash Victim Identified

Gov. Candidate Gregg Unveils Tax Plan - May 17, 2012 7:44:30 am

John Gregg

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Indiana Democrat gubernatorial candidate John Gregg calls his new corporate tax plan the “Hoosier Handshake.”

Gregg unveiled his two-part tax plan Wednesday in Indianapolis.

One part is to eliminate the corporate income tax for homegrown Hoosier businesses and for companies that choose to relocate to Indiana.

Two - reduce the tax burden for all companies that hire Hoosiers or make job-creating investments in factories, equipment, or research and development here in Indiana that are targeted to economic development priorities.

Gregg says more corporate tax rate cuts are needed after the rate was slashed last year from 8.5 to 6.5 percent.

The reduced revenues from those tax reductions would be made up by collecting taxes by online sales. Gregg’s campaign says the state could gain up to $400 million in revenues if it begins collecting online sales tax by January 1.

Gregg is running for governor against Republican Congressman Mike Pence. Pence unveiled his plan in August – to do away with inheritance taxes and cut Indiana's individual income corporate income taxes to three percent.

The former speaker claims Pence’s state tax plan would cost $315 million and continue to give out-of-state and foreign corporations an advantage.

Republicans, meanwhile, accuse Gregg of raising the corporate tax rate when he was speaker of the House from 1996 to 2002.

"When economic times got tough in Indiana, Speaker John Gregg had a solution: delay payments to schools, take on debt and raise taxes on Hoosiers. This is hardly a "fiscally responsible" record. It's the record of someone who wants to grow government through tax increases and massive debt – again,” said Indiana Republican Party Chairman Dan Parker.

Last month, Gregg proposed permanently eliminating Indiana’s gasoline tax.

LINKS:

Pence To Announce His Lt. Gov. Pick Soon

Gregg Wants To End Indiana's Gas Sales Tax

Pence Raises $1.8M, Gregg Gets $584K In 1Q

Dearborn Co. Chamber Business Expo Thurs. - May 17, 2012 7:07:32 am

Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce Business Expo

file photo

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - Local businesses get a chance to network and brag on themselves Thursday in Lawrenceburg.

The Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Business Expo at the Dearborn Adult Center, 311 West Tate Street. The free public event runs from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Chamber president Mike Rozow says the event is full of action and lots of fun.

“The Expo is a tremendous way to promote your business and to network with other Dearborn County businesses. Participants and visitors tell us, year after year, that they are amazed at how many kinds of businesses the county offers,” said Rozow.

Citizens and business owners who attend the expo can mingle, network, hand out their business cards, and make contacts.

Eagle 99.3 will be broadcasting live from the Business Expo.

Pence To Announce His Lt. Gov. Pick Soon - May 16, 2012 1:11:39 pm

Mike Pence

(Carmel, Ind.) – Indiana Congressman Mike Pence is poised to announce his choice for his gubernatorial running mate.

Pence, a Republican, is looking to succeed term-limited Governor Mitch Daniels. He faces Democrat John Gregg and Libertarian candidate Rupert Boneham on the ballot in November.

An e-mail from Pence’s campaign Wednesday said supporters will be able to hear about the lieutenant governor announcement at the same time the news goes out statewide. Those supporters can sign up for the announcement at Pence’s campaign website starting at 6:00 a.m. Thursday.

Pence offered a vague hint at his choice for lieutenant governor.

"Our next Lt. Governor will be an individual of high character who can inspire confidence in all Hoosiers," said Pence. "My new teammate will help us bring jobs to every corner of this state."

According to Indiana Republican Party guidelines, Pence must announce who his running mate will be by Friday, May 25.

Gregg has not announced his running mate choice. Brad Klopfenstein is the running mate for Boneham

LINKS:

Gregg Wants To End Indiana's Gas Sales Tax

Pence Raises $1.8M, Gregg Gets $584K In 1Q

Alleged Drunk Driver Had Kids In Car - May 16, 2012 12:59:39 pm

Donald Sturgel

Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) – An Aurora man was stopped by police for allegedly driving drunk with two young children, ages two years and eight months, in the car with him.

According to a court affidavit, a Greendale Police officer spotted a blue 2006 Hyundai weaving in its lane on U.S. 50-Eads Parkway near Walnut Street in Lawrenceburg at 11:55 p.m. Saturday, May 12. The vehicle nearly struck the curb twice, went over the center line, and was doing 16 MPH over the speed limit before it was stopped at Daugherty Road.

The officer approached the vehicle and noticed the driver, Donald A. Sturgel, smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot eyes. Two children were also seen in car seats in the rear of the vehicle.

A breath test showed Sturgel, 22, of Aurora, with a BAC of .087, just over Indiana’s legal limit of .08. Sturgel’s license was also suspended, the affidavit stated.

The officer arrested Sturgel. As he was being booked into the jail, a burnt marijuana joint was found in his pants pocket. Sturgel told officers it was fake marijuana, otherwise known as synthetic cannabinoid.

Sturgel is charged with two counts of Neglect of a Dependant, two counts of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated with a Person Less than 18 (Class D felony), and single counts of Possession of Synthetic Cannabinoid (Class A misdemeanor), Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (Class A misdemeanor), Operating a Vehicle with a BAC of .08 or Higher (Class C misdemeanor).

Sturgel appeared in Dearborn Superior Court II on Monday. He was released from jail on a written promise to appear in court again. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for July 3.

Murder Suspect Could Arrive In Indiana Wed. - May 16, 2012 11:17:31 am

Charles "Steve" Stephenson

Boone County Jail

(Burlington, Ky.) – The man accused of murdering and robbing an Aurora woman will be brought from Boone County to Dearborn County on Wednesday.

Charles Steve Stephenson was charged with murder last week in connection with the March 29 murder of Leigh Jennings. Investigators say he battered her with a iron skillet and pepper grinder before taking a large amount of money from a safe.

Stephenson was in Boone Circuit Court on Wednesday morning on Kentucky charges of Tampering with Evidence and Trafficking in a Controlled Substance. Boone County Commonwealth Attorneys said they are putting their case on hold so the Dearborn County case can move forward.

The 58-year-old murder suspect could be picked up by Indiana police and brought to the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center in Lawrenceburg sometime Wednesday.

Dearborn County Prosecutor Aaron Negangard said last week that the murder, coupled with the robbery, could result in the death penalty for Stephenson, if convicted. Negangard said a decision on that matter has not been made.

SEE VIDEO OF THE MAY 10 PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING CHARGES AGAINST CHARLES STEPHENSON BELOW.

If not the death penalty, Stephenson still faces up to 115 years in prison.

Stephenson will still face trial in Boone County for the Kentucky charges once the charges in Indiana are resolved.

Video streaming by Ustream

LINKS:

Murder Suspect Charged; Used Pepper Grinder, Skillet

Judge Denies Stephenson Lower Bond

Ky. Prosecutors Link Stephenson To Aurora Murder

Person of Interest Indicted In Boone Co.

“Person of Interest” Arrested For Drugs

Police: Aurora Murder Victim Was Beaten To Death

Announcement Friday In Aurora Murder Case

Friend: Murder Victim Was Nurturing, Animal Lover

Friend Of Murder Victim Remains Hospitalized

Aurora, Florence Murders May Be Connected

Aurora Murder Investigation Continues

Death Investigation Underway In Aurora