Charges Remain in Parking Meter Case

A judge in Cincinnati declined to dismiss charges against a grandmother who was jailed for feeding strangers’ parking meters. Judge John West of Cincinnati Municipal Court said he would rule Dec. 20. Sylvia Stayton has become a minor celebrity since her arrest Oct. 24 on charges of obstructing official business and disorderly conduct. She was jailed briefly after tossing 15 cents into two expired parking meters as a police officer, who told her to stop, was writing a ticket for one of the vehicles. She said she did it on impulse and thought the officer was exceeding his authority in trying to curb her generosity. Before the court appearance Stayton said she hoped the judge would toss the case out and end the whole affair. Friday marked her 63rd birthday.