First Place, General News - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati EnquirerDebi Wehrung, wife of accused murderer Michael Wehrung (left) screams as a not guilty verdict is read in the 1963 case where Michael Wehrung, then 15, was accused of killing his teen girlfriend. Charges were brought decades later by county prosecutors.
Second Place, General News - Bob DeMay / Akron Beacon JournalA U.S. Marshal points the way for a group of 38 illegal immigrants being deported back to their homeland as they board a plane.
Third Place, General News - Steven M. Herppich / Cincinnati EnquirerA City Divided-Almost two hundred protestors crowd around city council members as an angry Ronnie Stallworth yells at Cincinnati Police Chief Tom Streicher during a hearing of the law committee at City Hall in Cincinnati following the killing of Timothy Thomas, an unarmed African American, by police officer Stephen Roach two days earlier. The shooting lead to one week of protests, riots, and an city imposed curfew leading up to the funeral of this 19-year-old man.
Award of Excellence, General News - Jocelyn Williams / Akron Beacon JournalTysha Williams grips the back of a seat as she collapses in grief in the Summit County Courthouse. Raymond Jackson pleaded guilty in the death of Williams' three-year-old Lamont Settles. Her sister, La-Angel Williams holds her face.
Award of Excellence, General News - Lisa Powell / Dayton Daily NewsAlonzo Freeman Jr. (left) removed his shirt and pulled up a pant leg Monday in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court to show the wounds left by five bullets. Freeman was shot by Dayton police officers July 7, 1999. He is being tried for two counts of attempted murder in the shooting of Dayton Police Officers Michael August and Michael Robinson. At right is Judge John Kessler.
Award of Excellence, General News - Steven M. Herppich / Cincinnati EnquirerMarching for Justice-Protestors from New Prospect Baptist Church link arms as they lead a protest march up Vine Street from District 1 Headquarters in Cincinnati after the press conference releasing the Grand Jury's findings in the Stephen Roach shooting of Timothy Thomas Monday night, May 7, 2001. Officer Roach was indicted on the least serious charges possible in the shooting death of Mr. Thomas.
