Ohio court sets 2022 execution date for Cleveland killer

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio Supreme Court has set a 2022 execution date for a man sentenced to die for fatally shooting a man in an argument over a sewing machine.

Death row inmate Percy Hutton of Cleveland was sentenced to die for the 1985 slaying of Derek Mitchell.

Hutton’s attorney, Michael Benza, argues the execution date shouldn’t be scheduled because the 63-year-old Hutton still has federal appeals pending.

The court on Friday scheduled Hutton to die on June 22, 2022.

Court records show Hutton accused Mitchell of stealing tires and a sewing machine from him and shot him after recovering the sewing machine.

Records say Hutton also shot a second man who survived.

It’s unlikely that Ohio has drugs needed for lethal injection that far in the future.

Algae on river flowing into Lake Erie prompts warning

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Health officials are telling people not to swim in the river that flows through Toledo because of an algae outbreak.

The Maumee River along Toledo’s downtown waterfront has turned unsightly shades of green in the past few days, leading the local health department to issue a recreational advisory Thursday.

Officials say the algae bloom isn’t affecting the city’s drinking water that comes from Lake Erie.

It’s unusual to see the algae on the river in Toledo.

Researchers think the algae bloom in the river is linked to a large algae bloom on the lake along with slow currents and high levels of phosphorus in river.

Three years ago, algae in Lake Erie contaminated Toledo’s drinking for more than 400,000 people in the area for just over two days.

Black ex-police officer alleges discrimination in firing

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A black former police officer says his firing by the Columbus police department was the result of racial discrimination.

The federal lawsuit by Kevin Morgan alleges he was wrongly terminated in 2015 and treated unfairly in comparison to white officers who were facing similar allegations over special-duty hours.

Morgan was accused of improperly reporting those hours. Thursday’s lawsuit says white officers facing similar allegations were suspended and told to pay back money they stole from the city.

The Columbus Dispatch reports Morgan is seeking reinstatement, more than $25,000 in damages, and an admission to discriminatory practices by the city.

Police spokeswoman Denise Alex-Bouzounis (Alex buh-ZOO’-niss) told the paper the department wasn’t commenting.

Ohio couple: Pet mini pig believed to be stolen found dead

CLEVELAND (AP) — A Cleveland couple says their pet miniature pig, which they believe was stolen during a home break-in, has been found dead.

The owners of the 15-pound pig, named Spam, say that his body was found Thursday. They said last week that he was stolen from their home in a burglary, along with jewelry, TV and a camera.

WEWS-TV reports that donors raised more than $1,000 to offer a reward to help find the pig. The couple says that money will be returned or donated to the Animal Protective League, which is performing an autopsy on the pig.

Cleveland police continue to investigate.

Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame to induct its Class of 2017

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame will induct its Class of 2017 class in November.

Officials with the Ohio Department of Veterans Services say the 20 newest members will be inducted in a public ceremony in the Columbus suburb of Dublin on Nov. 9.

The hall was established in 1992 to recognize Ohio veterans who put their skills and abilities to work in their local communities after their military service.

This year’s inductees include veterans from all five branches of the U.S. military.

The 2017 class joins 834 Ohio veterans who have been inducted since 1992. Honorees through the years have included astronauts, community volunteers and former government officials, among others.

The induction will be held at Radiant Life Church in Dublin.

Prosecutors wants high-security transport for accused killer

CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio prosecutor has asked the state patrol’s SWAT unit to transport an accused three-time killer to an upcoming hearing.

Pickaway County Prosecutor Judy Wolford says she made the request because defendant Casey Pigge (pij) is a dangerous person.

Authorities say the 29-year-old Pigge killed a fellow inmate in a prison transport van in February. Wolford and Pigge’s defense attorney, Steve Larson, say Pigge is scheduled to enter a guilty plea in that killing on Sept. 27.

Pigge was previously sentenced to life without parole for the 2016 death of cellmate Luther Wade.

Pigge was in prison at the time serving 30 years to life for the 2008 killing of his girlfriend’s mother.

The Chillicothe Gazette first reported on the prosecutor’s transport request.