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PRESS RELEASE 06/23/2008

JURY RETURNS DEATH PENALTY INDICTMENT IN MURDER OF MT HEALTHY CLOTHING STORE OWNER

Deters calls Robbery spree and Murder by Defendant "senseless acts of violence"

The Hamilton County Grand Jury returned a Capital Indictment today charging Jerome Dennis (M/B/23) of Neptune Drive with the June 5, 2008 Aggravated Murder and Aggravated Robbery of Abdrahmane B Diallo.

The defendant entered the HD and MD Clothing Store at 7620 Hamilton Ave armed with a handgun for the purpose of committing an Aggravated Robbery, when he fatally shot Mr Diallo.

He fled the scene on foot to his car parked nearby. A witness pursed the defendant but was unable to keep up with him. As it turned out the vehicle matched the description of a vehicle used in a nearby Aggravated Robbery on June 3, 2008 at the Shamrock Gas Station, 10025 Hamilton Avenue.

In that instance the defendant pointed a handgun at the store clerk and demanded money and after the clerk complied, the defendant fled the store in the same vehicle identified in the June 5th Aggravated Robbery and Murder.

Dennis has also been indicted as a Repeat Violent Offender for a previous violent Felonious Assaults and Robbery for which he was convicted and sentenced on April 18, 2002 for a total of 5 years (2 years on one Felonious Assault 1 of 3 and Robbery, and 5 years on the other Felonious Assault - all counts ran concurrently)

Counts 1 and 2 of the Indictment relate to the Aggravated Robbery of the Shamrock Gas Station; Counts 3 through 6 relate to the Robbery/Murder of Mr Diallo two days later.

Deters called the cases "senseless acts of violence" perpetrated by predators victimizing hard working citizens.

If convicted on all counts, the defendant is facing the Death Penalty.

At this time, the defendant has not been apprehended. He is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information about the location of Jerome Dennis is urged to contact the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office 825-1500 or Crimestoppers 352-3040.