Amherst News-Times, 2005-06-22

              schoolhonorees named - pap 1 a ftj, i . j- amherst news-tim c boy injured in ramp feud page 3 smath babysitter murderrial starts tc today begins the trial of 33-ycar-old baby-sitter melissa k. dovala, who stands accused murdering fivc-month-old riley harris february 2004. infant suffered blunt impact trauma from three blows to his head while dovala's care at her winchester avenue home amherst, and died hours later hospital. coroner paul matus ruled smath's death homicide, prosecutor mark mahoney told news-times tragedy was "definitely not accidental." indicted dn two counts murder one felony count each assault, involuntary manslaughter, endangering children by grand jury last may 26, dovala entered not- guilty plea june both attorney, james burgc lorain, arc keeping quiet as unravels, failing return calls for comment. after final, pretrial november, defense provided with discovery items including permission search forms notes taken victim's mother, hospital treatment,, records, records pedi atrician, photos autopsy, according court documents. subpoenas were also issued produce st. john arid wcstshore 'roorjdstiis well information fhfm pedia trician lynnc romerj. '; proceedings were' originally scheduled start march 8, but subsequently bumped april 5 21 week, parties agreed delay more day until 22. is being heard judge edward zalcski lorain county justice center elyria, prosecution headed mahoney, an assis tant cuyahoga prosecu tor. local prosecutors off case because uovala's fathcr-in-law, don victim-witness advocate county. free on $25,000 personal bond $50,000 property bond. if convicted murder, she could spend life prison. lesser manslaughter conviction mean 10 years behind bars. hazardous materials crews run drill give play-acting "victims" emergency mock crash gas leak. practice makes perfect: safety teams carl sullenberger" correspondent it's friday cool summer evening weekend beckons promise leisure lawn work. suddenly, momentarily dis tracted woman causes what should be minor traffic acci dent. no seriously injured. first medical unit arrive scene finds leaking truck, becom ing victims themselves bringing community's worst fears into reality. " take heart are only actors designed test nerves skill mate rials response teams. "amherst south-amherst tire squads scene, land security office has workers standing by. allen various ems servic es training measure. manage ment tom kelly said tests logistical support major must con ducted year. target hozmat team, which comprised members fire departments throughout they have unenviable job wearing their regular turnout equipment special hazmat suits, require 60 65 just wear. tonight we're little short, continued 14 'nothing ever happens here' reporter's wild night cops disproves myth jason hawk reporter thing handed bullet-proof vest slip under my button-up shirt. "it's night," patrolman jacob perez explained shrug. "this way we'll ready whatev er happens." reading detailed police accounts rob beries, hold-ups, drug busts, fights, pursuits city wncre'nothing ever.happcns, ctcxroca ip iinu out ior myseu nfpfffiblm wharreally'roes on'afterdark. perez, 27-ycar-old owl who's worked red eye shift four six fprpc, kind enough invite me five-hour ride vruiscr 102. tic time allowed to' tag along amherst's finest september 2002, when sgt. brian brancatclli taught mo about finer points 9mm semi-automatic rifle, 12-guage shotgun, other weapons officers pack every day. that experience hap pened pleasant, sunny afternoon. this time, pre- pared sirens lights, thrill answering emer gency call, potential danger simple stop made. wasn't prepared ptl. perei "we're normal people. we go where everybody else ig fanning away." jungle innoqent becomes when, moon comes out. '' ' , p.m. 3i'a(m handled mostly innocuous balls help. night's end had raced scenes jbl.opd-curdling screams', possi ble ilrug use, gun-brandishing motorists. s "if hot cafj there's always adrenalfiifc.rush, you don't knowhafone bring," satd perez. "there been' stops i've approached vehicle wondered .if -'i would shot. that's .ort job, usually'nlon't think abqut jt afterward.' tellhim nothing happens" you've spent pas senger seat'. recent weeks, young cop been several headline making conflicts, 'my car 02' 10:31 pjii. answered residential alarm call hilltop drive. found danger. 10:49 pan. enacted route 58routc 2 castbound ran light. 11:14 spotted chevy blazer license plate light, front dashboard, rear folded up hide some digits. computer showed driver open suspen sions plates expired since december. towed owner ticketed multiple violations. 11:54 checked suspicious royal covered be-ihe friend complainant. 12:38 nan. stopped ford taurus north ridge road check revealed suspended license, 12:57 ajn. responded code (lights, sirens, speed) possible domestic dispute golden russett drive neighbor reported hearing woman's screams. noise com party. 1:11 oldsmobile alero west martin speeding having occupants bottle jack daniels cooler back seat. despite bad rap, skaters say th&y want place avoid trouble there middle street, blocking thursday seven boys, toting skate boards, hangin' curb lawn, spilling 'into joked tried beat heat. "the it.'s. sum mer. trying tb hang stay cool," colo hoover, teens most vocal need boarding park keep pals away law. thas situation hoover dustin reed, matt baumbic, stock, mike greene, adam holp, kevin dovis all know too well; single reprimand ed riding habits least once police. brancatelli, boarders problem deal nearly "tho business owners us kids per mission skate. don't, ess t'j km r duslin mifo? davis vvant park, don!t see materializing any soon. and, shoe them away," he said. given there, 25 50 boards through town causing worrv bv roads, property, saying they've board playing gather cfl w school (and even inside uks fng big knots ''most buildings), .driveways, siniply hall, olulie post them," brancatelli $ld, office, oyer dawn- t0theystalcso realize they're ees damage grass, pge minors evade duringj20 mph highway pursuit 15-ycar-old pen chant ignoring sig nals proved himself mario ,andretti eluding high-speed race reach speeds 120 mph. 12:47 a.m. tuesday, 14, murk cawthon silver f 150 pick-up truck speed down leavitt slam its brakes green,, squealed tires, peeled out, veering jnto giant eagle paiking lot kresge pulling 180 degree spin, flipped lights siren burned rubber again, fleeing running light kresgelcavltt intersec tion, ! pt. joined the. chase wcaved recklessly access speedway, pulled onto screeched bound ramp. empty highway, truck's headlights flickered times f-150 accelerated roughly mph, attempted unsuc cessfully close gap vehicle. execute hard northbound turn oak point exit blowing sign over became temporarily stuck grass ramp's side. threw reverse revved action, continingra northern course point'aid weav repeatedly ptfojt&c right lane paui oncoming traffic. crossing lorata pf