Prosecutor links Ohio judge's decision to 2 deaths

CINCINNATI (AP) — A southwest Ohio prosecutor is linking a decision by an indicted juvenile court judge to two recent violent deaths on the eve of her trial.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters says his office wanted Tywaune Thomas incarcerated last year, but Judge Tracie Hunter decided against that and ordered other conditions including electronic monitoring.

Deters says Thomas last month killed another man, then was fatally wounded and died at age 18.

Deters says both might still be alive today if not for Judge Hunter’s decision.

Judge Hunter’s attorney, Clyde Bennett II, called Deters’ statements “nonsensical.” Her trial is scheduled to begin Monday in Hamilton County on felony counts of tampering with evidence, forgery and theft in office.

Deters’ office is dropping an appeal of Judge Hunter’s ruling, in light of Thomas’ death.