( CINCINNATI, OH ) -- On July 16, 1974, Roland Reaves and Ricardo Woods robbed the UDF on Florence Avenue in Walnut Hills while armed. When police arrived, Reaves and Woods repeatedly shot Officer David Cole, killing him.
Reaves was originally sentenced to death but was reduced to life in prison when Ohio's death penalty statute was briefly found unconstitutional. Woods was released on parole back in 1994, and the County Prosecutor was not told about it until after the fact.
Police in Hamilton County stand with Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters when he says the only way he believes Reaves should get out of jail is "feet first". Deters says that he wants to make sure Reaves never gets out of jail, and his office has already received over 1000 emails in objection to parole for him. Officer Cole's widow [pictured below] came to a press conference today, February 8, in support of the police and prosecutor.
Deters says the only way to convince the parole board is with public opinion. He says that emails can be sent to the Ohio Parole Board by going to their website, clicking on "Parole Watch", and clicking on the defendant's name (Roland Reaves). You can then follow the instructions to email comments to the Ohio Parole Board, voicing objections or comments.
You are also able to mail objections or comments to them.
In Re: Roland A. Reaves / A14082700
Ohio Parole Board
Adult Parole Authority
770 West Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43222-1419
Video of the Press Conference: