(WOIO) -

The Brecksville woman who hurt innocent children at a park was sentenced to three years in prison on Wednesday.

On May 11th, 22-year-old Laura Molnar burned a 4-year-old on the forehead with a lit cigarette. On May 25th, Molnar pepper sprayed two 4-year-old children in the face at the Community Center located at One Community Drive in Brecksville.

The victims from the community center were treated for their injuries.

A search warrant was executed at her residence and police seized the pepper spray and miscellaneous drug abuse instruments.

http://www.19actionnews.com/story/15513114/woman-who-hurt

Article Courtesy of WOIO 19 Action News

CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) -

Developing news surrounding convicted serial killer Anthony Sowell.

19 Action News has learned the new cases against the mass murderer have been dismissed. Another trial was slated to begin today.

This trial was for the rape and felony assault charges on the two women who survived his attacks. Both women testified in Sowell’s murder trial, and said they got closure from testifying.

By allowing the dismissal, the victims are spared the pain of reliving their attacks and they deny Sowell what he wants – more attention.

“He’s a hopeless soul, I mean, there’s nothing redeeming about him there never will be,” said Assistant County Prosecutor Rick Bombik. “The man has got to…the man is without any remorse without any conscience and anything that comes out of his mouth goes in one ear and out my other ear.”

As he left court, Sowell used a vulgar term and mumbled, “They ain’t got s#!%.”

Prosecutors make a practical point. By dropping the charges, they are saving taxpayers a lot of money. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent on the first trial, and while this one was not going to be nearly as long, there are a lot of people who think spending another dime is too much.

51-year-old Sowell was sentenced to death for the murder of eleven women between June 2007 and September 2009. The victims’ remains were found inside and outside of Sowell’s Imperial Avenue home in Cleveland.

http://www.19actionnews.com/story/15438022/serial-killer-heads-back-to-court-for-rape-trial

Article Courtesy of WOIO 19 Action News

CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) -

With the 10th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks happening this weekend, many people are asking, “What have we learned?” and  “Where have we come?” since that fateful day.

Clevelanders watched in horror as planes were used as weapons to take American lives. Quickly Cleveland and other major cities were evacuated. By nightfall the streets were empty, public buildings were watched by armed guards and the police helicopter circled overhead.

How our preparedness has changed, was the topic at a Press Club gathering Wednesday at Cleveland State University. The consensus, we have come a long way, but have a long way to go.

Agencies today share more intelligence, know how to help one another and even train together. That is a positive change. But, elsewhere there is work to do. One area of concern 10 years ago, was the fact that various police agencies could not communicate directly with one another. Today some can. But, the communication isn’t instantaneous as was needed in 2001. Work is on the way to make that happen, but it will take time.

Billions have been spent on Homeland Security, billions more will be spent. All with a simple goal that can never be completely guaranteed. That we will never be attacked again.

http://www.19actionnews.com/story/15411713/911-anniversary-are-we-more-prepared

Article Courtesy of WOIO 19 Action News

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is demanding action from Washington after 24 people where shot in the city during a span of 24 hours, this Labor Day weekend.

A rash of shootings in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx from 6 a.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday left many injured and one man dead.

As of Sunday night, no arrests have been made.

New York Daily News reports:

The mayor said 24 people shot in 24 hours in the city “is just unconscionable.”

“We cannot tolerate it,” Bloomberg said while speaking at the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn. “There are just too many guns on the streets and we have to do something about it.”

New York has the toughest gun laws in the country, but Bloomberg said the city alone cannot stop the onslaught of shootings. “We need the federal government to step up,” he said.

http://newsone.com/nation/newsonestaff4/new-york-shootings-labor-day-weekend/

Article Courtesy of News One

CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) -

“One Thousand Balloons for the Angels of Imperial Avenue”, a memorial service, dove release and balloon launch to honor the eleven women who were slain on Cleveland’s Imperial Avenue, will be a part of the activities of the 40th annual Eleventh Congressional District Community Caucus Labor Day Parade and Festival at Luke Easter Park today. The events will take place at the stage near the corner of MLK and Dickens Avenue around 2PM.

This memorial event was initiated by Marcella Boyd Cox, Chief Marketing Officer for the E.F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home and Crematory. “The legal system has performed its duties, and it is now time to return our focus to the victims or “Angels” who died on Imperial Avenue. Our goal is to release 500 to 1,100 balloons and eleven doves to honor their spirits,” Cox proclaimed. Festival attendees will be asked to volunteer to participate in the launch of the individual balloons.

Eleventh District Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge eagerly embraces honoring the victims. “I want the final memory of this tragedy to be of the humanity and dignity of the slain women. People all over the world will know that our district values the worth of all human beings.”

Megan O’Bryan, President/CEO of the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center looks forward to the event as a teachable moment. “This balloon launch will communicate the message that violence against women is not tolerated. Many people will change perceptions and behaviors because of this event. We are working to build a community where far fewer women will be victims of violence.”

Marcia L. McCoy, Executive Director of Community Covenant Oversight Team is assisting in coordinating the sacred balloon release by reaching out to the victims’ families. “I’m grateful that God placed the idea for this memorial on the heart of Marcella Boyd. She is sincere in her plans to bring peace and healing to our community by galvanizing business owners, clergy, civil rights organizations, elected officials, activists, community leaders and others to support the 11 families.

Kaye Gaines of Gaines Funeral Home stated, “I feel that the eleven family members will feel some relief by releasing their emotions up to the heavens by way of the balloons and the lily white doves. We hope that the release of the balloons and doves will share this sense of healing and peace with the entire world,” said Ms. Gaines.

The goal of the balloon release is to show community support for the eleven slain angels and their families. Specific objectives include: Increased awareness of violence against women; Solidarity with the families of the eleven victims; Spiritual bond with the eleven victims; and Empowerment to take actions for a safer, stronger community. The balloons will be made of biodegradable latex.

The Eleventh District Caucus Parade and Festival is an annual Labor Day tradition that was begun by former Cleveland mayor, Carl Stokes, and his brother, former 21st and 11th District Congressman Louis Stokes, 40 years ago. In addition to the balloon launch, this year’s festival will feature a special tribute to Congressman Louis Stokes.

http://www.19actionnews.com/story/15395306/cleveland-strangler-victims-to-be-honored-during-memorial-service-dove-release

Article Courtesy of WOIO 19 Action News

COPLEY TOWNSHIP, OH (WOIO) -

Copley Police were called out to a neighborhood massacre Sunday around 11 a.m. in the area of Schocalog Road and Goodenough Avenue.

According to Copley Police, 8 people were fatally shot, as well as the gunman. A ninth victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment. No word on a condition at this time.

Officers arrived at the first crime scene location in the 2300 block of Goodenough Avenue and found that the gunman had fled. Following a short search, the gunman was located and a gun battle ensued. Officers fatally shot the gunman, who has yet to be identified.

In all, there are four shooting locations. There are two crime scenes located on Schocalog Road and two other crime scenes located on Goodenough Avenue. The crime scene is approximately within a three block radius.

Investigators say that the incident started at a home in 2300 block of Goodenough Avenue when it’s believed the shooter shot his girlfriend. He then ran across the street to another home where he confronted his girlfriend’s brother and shot him and four other bystanders.

Next, the madman chased down two other bystanders through several backyards. One person was gunned down outside of a home on Schocalog Avenue. The other sought refuge at a home nearby. The shooter ran to that home where he was met by a police officer and the citizen he was chasing.

A gun battle ensued and the shooter was fatally gunned down by the police officer.

Copley Police tell 19 Action News they are having trouble notifying next of kin, there will be no further updates released today at 12 p.m. during which time a press conference will be held at the Copley Community Center located at 1278 Sunset Drive.

Read More Here: http://www.19actionnews.com/story/15223808/copley-police-on-scene-at-house-at-copley-road-and-schocalog

Article Courtesy of WOIO 19 Action News

The eighth and ninth victims in the Imperial Avenue murders have been identified. Cleveland police say that the families of Janice Webb, 48, and Kim Yvette Smith, 44, have been notified. Webb has been missing since June 3. That makes nine of the 11 victims identified so far.

Webb, who lived in the 9800 block of Manor Avenue in Clevalnd, was reported missing to the Cleveland police on Aug. 2.

Smith lived in the 12700 block of Shaker Boulevard in Cleveland. She was not reported missing to Cleveland police and was last seen on Jan. 1.

The first victim to be identified was Tonia Carmichael, 52, of Warrensville Heights. The second was Telacia Fortson, 31, of East Cleveland. The third was Tishana Culver, 31, of the 12300 block of Imperial Avenue.

The fourth was Nancy Cobbs, 43, of Griffing Avenue, in Cleveland.

Over the weekend, the Cuyahoga County Coroner identified the fifth, sixth and seventh victims found at 12205 Imperial Avenue. They were Amelda Hunter, 47; Crystal Dozier, 38; and Michelle Mason, 45, all of Cleveland.

The suspect in the case, Anthony Sowell, 50, is in the Cuyahoga County Jail, being held on $5 million bond.

He has been charged with five counts of aggravated murder and the rape and kidnapping of another woman.

Late Monday afternoon, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason announced that a grand jury has returned an indictment against Sowell for assaulting and raping a 36-year-old woman on Sept. 22.

In that case, Sowell faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.   The victim saw Sowell, 50, walking near East 116th Street in Cleveland.

Sowell took the victim back to his home and became violent and raped the victim. While raping her, he strangled her with a cord until she lost consciousness.

When she regained consciousness, he led her out of the house. She was treated the following day at the hospital.

Read full story.

Article courtesy of: wkyc.com

Clevelander’s gathered Wednesday night at the House of God Church to pray for the victims of accused serial killer Anthony Sowell, whose house of horrors is just one block from the church.

Ironically, members of the congregation had tried to help distressed women in the neighborhood like 31-year-old Telacia Fortson, whose family fears she may be one of Sowell’s victims.

Rev. Catherine Bryant says “we would be very saddened to know that this young lady, this beautiful young lady who has touched us very dearly because we have known her in a very personal way.”

Wednesday morning, Anthony Sowell was arraigned on five counts of aggravated murder and a Cleveland judge ordered that he be held without bond.

In Sowell’s neighborhood, there is sympathy for the families of the victims and surprisingly, the alleged serial killer himself.

A man speaking at a prayer vigil told the crowd “ease their hearts and ease their emotions, touch their hearts and touch their temperment and I know it’s hard lord, but we begin to step to approach you Lord without forgiving him, I know we don’t want to say we forgive him Lord for what he has done but we’ve got to if we want to get to the kingdom.”

The Cuyahoga County Coroner says the remains of eleven women have been found in Sowell’s home, and it appears most or all of them had been strangled.

The number went up by one after investigators found a human skull hidden in a bucket in Sowell’s basement.

Six of the victims have been found in Sowell’s living quarters and the basement, and five were found buried in his backyard.

The first victim to be identified is 52-year-old Tonia Carmichael.

The coroner is now seeking d-n-a samples from the families of the other women who have vanished from the surrounding neighborhood.

Dr. Frank Miller says “biological relatives, preferably maternal relatives so either a child that’s biologically related to one of these women or the biological mother of these women.”

The family of Tonia Carmichael has joined the chorus of Clevelanders who are critical of police for not noticing that so many women had disappeared.

But Cleveland’s chief of police denies that cases involving people with difficult backgrounds have been a low priority.

Chief Michael McGrath says “any time somebody disappears in our city, be it a young child or a homeless person, you know we consider them all very important because they all have family members that are missing them, bottom line.”

Cleveland Police and the coroner’s office will continue their search for bodies at some point but they are not revealing when. They do say one of the priorities is finding the body that goes with the skull that was discovered earlier this week.

Via:Fox 8 Cleveland News