Tuesday, January 13, 2004

 

News across the country ...

There's lots to report from Birmingham, Ala., today.


Woman admits guilt in death of man on mower

A woman who appealed last year's conviction on charges that she ran into and killed a Chalkville man as he rode his riding mower agreed on Monday to plead guilty in the case. LaKeisha Posey pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide, a misdemeanor, and agreed to serve two years probation and a 12-month suspended sentence in the April 1 death of 69-year-old John Srofe.

Two plead guilty to murder

Two men pleaded guilty Monday to the murder of Crazy Bill's fireworks stand worker Roy Lee Morrison, who was shot as he talked on the phone to his wife. Larry Amerson, the shooter, pleaded guilty to capital murder and was sentenced to life in prison without parole in the Dec. 26, 2002 killing. Steven Palmer, who is accused of aiding and abetting in the crime, pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life in prison.

Gunned-down woman identified

A cardboard sign, vases of plastic flowers and half-burned candles marked the spot on Second Way Northwest where authorities say a Center Point woman became the victim of a deadly random attack. Authorities on Monday identified the woman as 58-year-old Marlene Jason, a wife, mother of two and longtime school cafeteria cashier.


From the Journal Star in Lincoln, Nebraska:


Bulletin board for gays, lesbians trashed

Someone tore up the department's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender information board, located on the third floor of Andrews Hall, during UNL's winter break. It's the fourth time the board has been trashed in the past year, leading some professors to plan an open letter demanding a police and university response to damage they say goes far beyond simple vandalism.

"This sort of thing has to stop," English Professor Jim McShane said. "It's an attack on our most vulnerable students."

From the Honolulu Advertiser:


Three charged in beating of homeless man

Two teenagers were arraigned yesterday in District Court on charges of attacking a homeless man Thursday night at a bus stop near 'A'ala Park. Savannah Balai, 19, and Percy Elvenia, 18, were charged with second-degree assault. A boy, 15, also has been charged in the case.

The three are accused of striking and kicking a 51-year-old man at a bus stop. The man also was stabbed with a knife that punctured his left lung. In a police report filed in District Court, a witness said Balai and Elvenia were striking and kicking the man while he was on the ground. The witness also heard the juvenile say, "I got the guy good by knifing him."

From the DelMarVa Daily Times: Delaware trooper trial begins

The trial in a discrimination lawsuit filed by two white troopers against the Delaware State Police began Monday in federal court. Corporals William Bullen and Jeffrey Giles claim they were denied promotions to sergeant in 2001 after Gov. Ruth Ann Minner ordered a freeze on trooper promotions because state officials wanted to put more minorities on the police force.

"This case is about illegal racial politics," attorney Thomas Neuberger told the court. "If my clients' faces had not been white, they would be sergeants in the Delaware State Police today."

The jury hearing the case consists of four white females, two white males, one black male and one black female.

posted by Anne 1/13/2004 08:59:00 AM