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During the standoff that ended peacefully Sunday morning, deputies say Gazaway shot at them in excess of 20 times and used the boy clad in Snoopy pajamas as a human shield.
Gazaway was released from prison in July after serving four years for felonious assault in Hamilton County. He shot a gun into a crowd of 30 people at a party, according to court documents.
Twice Gazaway filed motions in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court asking for early release with letters from his fiance and a Cincinnati pastor in support.
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In a letter to Judge Dennis Helmick in August 2014, Gazaway wrote, “throughout being incarcerated, I have put (forth) a great amount of effort to make accomplishments to better myself to society. The progress that I have made has changed me drastically and has made me very family-oriented.”
Gazaway said in the letter he wanted to remain a law-abiding citizen for the sake of his fiancee and his daughter.
He had much the same to say in a letter to Judge Leslie Ghiz, dated April 24, 2015.
“(My) plan when I enter into society is to continue what I have started here in bettering myself and continuing to reiterate the positive attributes of living a structured life. I have a family, a home, and a great network of support when I enter back into society,” Gazaway wrote. He also pointed out training and courses he completed in prison.
Both judges denied early judicial release. Gazaway has a history of arrests dating back to 2004, according to court records.
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