Judge denies Ohio man's request to go to funeral of daughter he's accused of shooting
1/16/2014CINCINNATI — A Cincinnati man jailed in the accidental shooting death of his 11-year-old daughter has been denied his request to attend the girl’s funeral.
Hamilton County Judge Nadine Allen said in court Thursday that Deandre Kelley can’t be released from jail because public safety trumps the grief he is experiencing. He says Kelley must “mourn symbolically.”
Allen’s decision prompted the girl’s mother, Kristina Lanza, to sob loudly in court and appear to nearly faint.
She had wanted Kelley to attend Shanti Lanza’s funeral, saying the shooting was an accident.
Police say Kelley fired shots into the air outside Lanza’s house Sunday while arguing with her. Shanti was hit as she hid in an upstairs bedroom.
Kelley pleaded not guilty during Thursday’s hearing to three new charges against him, including involuntary manslaughter.