Hill conference

Hill conference

WARREN

Trumbull County prosecutors and attorneys for Ohio death-row inmate Danny Lee Hill on Tuesday had an off-the-record telephone conference with Visiting Judge Patricia A. Cosgrove to discuss Hill’s request for a new trial.

Assistant Prosecutor Luwayne Annos said the judge is expected to issue a ruling shortly on the next phase in the request.

Hill is on death row for killing Raymond Fife in a wooded area off Palmyra Road Southwest. Hill’s co-defendant, Timothy Combs, also was convicted of the murder but avoided the death penalty because he was 17 at the time.

Hill was convicted of raping, torturing and burning Raymond, 12, on Sept. 10, 1985, as the boy rode his bicycle to a Boy Scouts meeting. Raymond died two days later.

The judge ruled last week Hill, 48, can ask for a new trial based on bite mark evidence his current attorneys believe is no longer credible that was used at his trial in 1986. Judge Cosgrove’s decision could allow Hill’s attorneys to formally ask for a new trial.

Foot chase

YOUNGSTOWN

A Regis Street man was booked into the Mahoning County jail after reports said he led officers Monday on a foot chase on the East Side.

Reports said Laqwan Brooks, 29, was a passenger in a car pulled over about 2:45 p.m. at Bennington Avenue and McGuffey Road and he ran away. Officers managed to catch him after a short foot chase.

Reports said Brooks had a bag of suspected marijuana on him when he was searched by officers. He was booked into the jail on charges of obstructing official business and possession of marijuana. The car driver ran away, and police were not able to catch him. Inside the car police found a scale, a large bag of suspected marijuana and four smaller bags of suspected marijuana, reports said.

Open house

WARREN

The Riverside Railroad Train Club will have an open house from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Warren S.C.O.P.E. Senior Center, 220 W. Market St.

The event will include train layouts, dozens of hand-crafted buildings, 1,285 feet of track, mountains, waterfalls, a lake and steam and diesel trains.

Cost is $3; children under 12 get in free.

‘Family Night’ set

BOARDMAN

Boardman Park will host a “Family Night” Saturday at the Maag Outdoor Theatre.

The event kicks off at 6 p.m. with a balloon artist, hayrides and more. Live music from “Color Blind” will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m.; a balloon-art show begins at 8:15 p.m.; and the park will show the film “Cinderella” at dark.

Visitors are encouraged to bring a prom dress to donate to a local charity. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Concessions will be available.

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