'Murder in Sylvania, Ohio': New Book Details Historical Murder Case in Lucas County

    SYLVANIA, Ohio, May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- In her new book, "Murder in
 Sylvania, Ohio: As Told in 1857" (now available through AuthorHouse), Gaye
 E. Gindy recounts a true-life murder story that occurred in a small
 northwestern Ohio community.
     Through extensive research and actual documents from the time period,
 Gindy presents the details of the arrest and trial of Return Jonathan Meigs
 Ward, the first presumed serial killer in the state of Ohio. She narrates
 the community's efforts to come together and convict the killer, despite a
 lack of resources. "The only form of law enforcement at this time was an
 elected, part-time justice of the peace and an elected, part-time
 constable," she says. "Other than this, the members of the community were
 in charge ... The case was an urgent priority for the residents of Sylvania
 in the days that followed, and as the case unfolds, the shocking truth is
 uncovered."
     The book begins with newspaper articles from the Daily Toledo Blade and
 the Toledo Daily Times that report the murder, arrest and subsequent trial,
 including seven days of testimony from area residents, relatives, doctors
 and experts. Following the guilty verdict, the killer confesses to other
 murders and is sentenced to death, the first case of capital punishment in
 Lucas County.
     Gindy provides a complete and accurate timeline of the life of the
 murderer and describes the various residents of the community who
 contributed to the case. She also includes an index of actual names for
 genealogical purposes. "People researching their family genealogy will be
 interested in learning their ancestors' involvement in this crime and
 case," she writes. "Residents living in Lucas County, Ohio, will be
 especially interested in this book because this is something that happened
 in a community that they are all familiar with today."
     Gindy has been researching the history of the Sylvania community for 30
 years. She worked for the Sylvania Township Fire Department for 10 years,
 the township administration offices for 12 years and began her current
 position with the City of Sylvania in the police division in 1998. She is a
 long-time member of the Sylvania Area Historical Society, a board member of
 the Sylvania Historical Village Inc. and a member of the Friends of the
 Lathrop House. Gindy has written a weekly history column for the Sylvania
 Herald for the past five years. She has been married for 29 years and has
 two children. Her previous books include "Next Stop Sylvania, Ohio";
 "Bridging Time"; and "Sylvania, Ohio: Images of America."
     AuthorHouse is the premier publishing house for emerging authors and
 new voices in literature. For more information, please visit
 http://www.authorhouse.com.
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SOURCE AuthorHouse