Crime and Punishment

Kobe Bryant Judge to Decide if Accuser Must Appear

EAGLE (Reuters) - A judge will decide by Thursday whether to require the woman who has accused Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant of rape to take the stand at next week's preliminary hearing, the judge in the case said on Monday. Eagle County judge Fred Gannett said also he expects to decide by Thursday if the preliminary hearing -- which will determine if Bryant must stand trial -- shall be open to the public and the press. The defense wants the hearing closed to avoid bad publicity for their client.

Woman Convicted in Murder Blamed on Paxil

ROANOKE, Va. (AP) - A woman who claimed prescription antidepressants made her homicidal was convicted Monday of stomping her mother to death in a bathroom scuffle in the middle of the night. Cindy Gail Countess, 49, was escorted sobbing from court after Judge Clifford R. Weckstein found her guilty in a non-jury trial of second-degree murder. She could get five to 40 years in prison at sentencing Nov. 24.

N.J. Standoff Ends With Bodies in Trailer

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) - A six-hour standoff with a man suspected of shooting two police officers ended Monday when police entered his home and found the bodies of two men and a woman. Authorities did not immediately identify the bodies, but a prosecutor said one was believed to be the suspected gunman, Gary Heiland. Heiland had barricaded himself in the trailer home Monday morning after two officers were shot and wounded when they went to the home to investigate a shooting at a bar.

1 Killed in Minnesota Government Center Shooting

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A woman believed to be involved in a dispute over her father's estate opened fire Monday at a county government building, killing the estate conservator and wounding an attorney, authorities said. The shooting took place on the 17th floor of the Hennepin County Government Center in an area of housing court commonly called "harassment court," where people represent themselves in attempts to settle disputes. Susan Berkovitz, 52, of the St. Paul area, was arrested by a sheriff's deputy without incident moments after the attack. She was in the county jail, held on probable cause for murder.

Drug Case Dropped After Evidence Goes Up in Smoke

Police say 59 pounds of marijuana disappeared from a police evidence room and may have been inadvertently burned, forcing prosecutors to drop charges against three Houston men. Defendants Josue Macias, 24; Jerry Sanchez, 21; and Abel Vela, 22, were awaiting trial on possession charges when Vela's attorney asked to have the marijuana brought into the courtroom.

51 Are Arrested in Scheme to Collect Millions for Fake Accidents

People came from North Carolina, Minnesota and even the Dominican Republic to collect what they had been told over the phone would be up to $11,000 in insurance money, awaiting them at an office in Long Island City, Queens. But when they arrived, they were arrested and charged with participating in an auto insurance fraud ring, one that police said billed insurance companies tens of millions of dollars for accidents that never happened.

Indiana Gunman Slays Four in Family, Himself

GARY, Ind. (AP) - A man who apparently killed his mother, brother, sister and a nephew and then turned his gun on himself had been failed by the mental health system because it didn't provide him with adequate treatment, an aunt said. Terry Lee Dennie was schizophrenic and may have quit taking his medications, said Louvenia Walton. "This should never have happened," she told the Post-Tribune. "There were plenty of warning signs that should have prevented him from this."

UNC Player Charged With Assault at Mall

DURHAM -- Police charged a UNC football player with assault on a female after an incident involving another UNC athlete at The Streets at Southpoint mall Saturday evening. According to warrants, UNC wide receiver Michael Gilmore, 19, of 201 Connor Dorm on the UNC campus, allegedly assaulted his 20-year-old girlfriend, who is a member of the UNC track team.

Mississippi Judge at Center of Inquiry

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A judicial review board has launched an inquiry into allegations against a state Supreme Court justice, including claims that he threatened to "whip" the chief justice and intentionally delayed cases as payback before his term on the court ends. Justice Chuck McRae on Sunday said the complaint was "much ado about nothing" and called it a strong-arm tactic by the five high court justices who made the allegations, including Chief Justice Edwin Pittman.

Boy, 4, Kills Sister After Finding Gun

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) - A 4-year-old boy found a loaded gun in his family's house and fired it through the front door, killing his 5-year-old sister and seriously wounding another boy, authorities said. An older sister had seen the child pick up the semi-automatic handgun in the house Saturday night and had rushed the other children outside to try to protect them, but the bullet went through the door, hitting them, said Prince George's County police spokeswoman Cpl. Diane Richardson.

Klaas Parents Look Back on Kidnapping

PETALUMA, Calif. (AP) - As October leaves turn to gold and pumpkins appear on porch steps, Eve Nichol sees shadows of her decade-old nightmare, one that began when her daughter Polly Klaas was dragged into the night. She remembers how it grew harder to hope as the days passed that fall, and how hopes died as 12-year-old Polly's killer led police to her body on a wintry December day. Much has changed for child kidnapping victims since Polly was snatched from a slumber party in her bedroom that night.

Ashcroft Tightens Prosecutor Rules, Limits Plea Bargains

WASHINGTON -- Attorney General John Ashcroft yesterday made it tougher for federal prosecutors to strike plea bargains with criminal defendants, requiring attorneys to seek the most serious charges possible in almost all cases. The policy directive issued by Ashcroft is the latest in a series of steps the Justice Department has taken in recent months to combat what it sees as dangerously lenient practices by some federal prosecutors and judges. The move also effectively expands to the entire gamut of federal crimes the attorney general's tough stance on the death penalty, which he has sought in numerous cases over the objections of federal prosecutors.

Laci Peterson's Mother Sues to Block Story Profits

Laci Peterson's family filed a civil lawsuit Friday against her husband, Scott Peterson, to keep him from receiving money for selling his story, even as he awaits trial in connection with her death. The lawsuit, filed in Stanislaus County Superior Court in Modesto, California, named Sharon Rocha, Laci Peterson's mother, as the plaintiff. Rocha wants any proceeds or profits that may go to Scott Peterson to be put in a trust until a verdict is reached in his trial.

Amber Frey's Lawyer Says She Fears for Client's Safety

Attorney Gloria Allred said Thursday she fears for the safety of her client Amber Frey, murder suspect Scott Peterson's former girlfriend. But she stopped short of saying whether she asked police to protect her. Frey, who had a romantic relationship with Peterson, is living in a gated community in Fresno and is being protected by private security guards. "I know what can happen out there," Allred said. "Only after a terrible event occurs do you know how justified your fears are."

Police Chief Charged With Misconduct

DETROIT -- South Rockwood's police chief was charged Thursday with felony misconduct in office stemming from a July incident in which he allegedly shot a teen-ager who tried to rob him in a sexual liaison gone awry. Kevin Lloyd Walters, who is suspended without pay from the Monroe County department, also is charged with using a computer to solicit a crime, a misdemeanor.

Mother Charged in Slayings of 2 Daughters

PLANO -- A 23-year-old mother was charged Friday in the slayings of her two young daughters, whom a neighbor recalled as "happy, playful" girls who liked chasing a pet dog around the back yard. Lisa Diaz was arrested Thursday night after her husband returned from work and found 6-year-old Briana and 3-year-old Kameron dead in a bedroom, police said. The cause of death remained undetermined Friday afternoon, the medical examiner's office said.

Two Arrested for Child Abuse

NORTH PORT -- It hurt her when she was hit with the belt. So he started hitting her with his hands. Nevertheless, David W. Schwindt and Michelle Schwindt, both 33, of 3121 Briant St., North Port, were arrested Thursday for felonious aggravated child abuse after they left black and blue marks on a 6-year-old girls face and body for acting up in school and poor grades. Both are being held in the Sarasota County Jail without bond.

Former Law Professor Disbarred, Child Porn Plea

NEW YORK -- Edward Samuels, a former law professor who was jailed after pleading guilty to charges of having some 150,000 images of naked and sexually abused children on his office and home computers, was disbarred Thursday. Samuels, 54, initially lost his his right to practice law in New York State in April after pleading guilty to 100 counts of possessing child pornography. In June he was sentenced to six months in jail and 10 years probation. On the recommendation of the Supreme Court's Disciplinary Committee, a panel of the court's Appellate Division voted 5-0 on Thursday to make the disbarment official.

Milwaukee Women Charged With Sept. 11 Insurance Scam

While millions of people saw unspeakable tragedy in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, two Milwaukee women stand accused of seeing opportunity. But their bumbling attempt to scam two insurance companies landed them in jail, authorities say. The mother/daughter tandem of Dorothy Johnson and Twila McKee attempted to cash in on the horrific event by filing false claims totaling $135,000 on two life insurance policies, according to a criminal complaint charging them with fraud.

Juvenile Arrested in Computer Worm Case

SEATTLE (AP) - Investigators have arrested a juvenile in connection with the release of a variant of the "Blaster" computer worm, which crippled thousands of computers worldwide last month. It was the second arrest stemming from the release of variants of the worm, but detectives have yet to determine who created the main version. Prosecutors refused to release any information about the suspect, not even the youth's gender or home state. They cited confidentiality rules protecting juveniles accused of crimes.

Ky. Priest Sentenced in Sex Abuse Case

LA GRANGE, Ky. (AP) - A Roman Catholic priest imprisoned for abusing children was sentenced Friday to serve 10 more years for a second set of counts. The sentence will start after the Rev. Louis E. Miller, 72, completes the 20-year prison term he is already serving. The judge denied his attorney's request that the sentences run together. One of the eight victims in the Oldham County cases, Mike Turner, shook Miller's hand in court but was adamant that Miller should spend his life behind bars.

Bryant Accuser Says Defense Not Entitled to Crisis Center Records

Kobe Bryant's accuser asked a judge Thursday to reject a defense request for records from a rape crisis center. The basketball star's attorneys issued a subpoena Sept. 5 to the Resource Center of Eagle County, which runs a hot line, counsels victims and provides shelter. The defense asked for notes from any employee interview related to the Bryant rape case, along with training materials. Attorneys for the accuser and the center asked Judge Frederick Gannett to quash the subpoena, saying such records are confidential under state law.

Peterson, Frey Spoke Often Prior to Disappearance

MODESTO -- Scott Peterson exchanged at least 18 telephone calls with his girlfriend in the nine days before his pregnant wife disappeared, according to partial phone records. He also got at least 47 calls from Amber Frey to his cell phones in the three weeks after authorities believe he killed his wife and unborn son, the records reveal. All 65 calls -- totaling more than 3-1/2 hours -- were made at a time when Scott Peterson insisted he didn't have a girlfriend.

Judge Delays Flag-Flying Home Sale

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - A former Marine who could lose his home because he violated homeowners' association rules by flying an American flag from a pole can keep the house at least a little longer. Circuit Judge Edward Fine on Thursday delayed the foreclosure on George Andres' home until his case is heard by the 4th District Court of Appeal. Fine earlier had set a foreclosure sale for Oct. 9. The sale would allow the association to collect more than $20,000 in legal fees that have been accruing in the 3-year-old case.

FBI Offers Reward in Bank Robbery Blast

ERIE, Pa. (AP) - Investigators released photographs Thursday of a cane-shaped, likely homemade firearm found in the car of a pizza deliveryman who died when a bomb locked around his neck exploded after he robbed a bank. Federal agents investigating the death of Brian Wells on Aug. 28 outside Erie also issued a $50,000 reward for information leading to anyone responsible for the robbery and Wells' death. Before he died, the 46-year-old deliveryman told authorities he had been forced to rob the bank by someone who locked the collar around his neck.

Man Tied to al-Qaida Renegs Guilty Plea

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - A man accused of plotting to topple the Brooklyn Bridge on orders from al-Qaida has asked to withdraw his guilty plea. Iyman Faris, 34, formerly of Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty in May to charges that he provided sleeping bags, cell phones and cash to al-Qaida. Authorities say Faris traveled to Pakistan and Afghanistan to carry out errands for the terrorist organization. He also met with Osama bin Laden and scouted U.S. sites for possible terrorist attacks.

Florida Lawyers Battle to Beat DNA Deadline

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Time is running out for perhaps hundreds of Florida convicts to ask for DNA testing that might clear them. A two-year window opened by the state Legislature for inmates to seek post-conviction DNA analysis is set to close on Wednesday. The Innocence Project, a nonprofit legal clinic researching hundreds of old cases on inmates' behalf, has little hope of completing the task by the deadline.

Woman Arrested in Granddaughter's Killing

Authorities filed murder and weapons charges Wednesday against a Franklin woman accused of shooting her granddaughter inside their home last month. Bertha Gordon, 68, was released Wednesday from the Camden hospital where she's been since the Aug. 21 homicide and sent to the Gloucester County Women's Facility. The Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office charged her with first-degree murder, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Man Arrested in Investigation of Dismembered Bodies

DETROIT (AP) -- Police arrested a 33-year-old man Wednesday in connection with the discovery of body parts belonging to at least two different people behind a gas station. More body parts were found inside the man's Detroit home when he was taken into custody, police said. The man, who police said was a convicted sex offender, was expected to be charged Thursday with two counts of murder.

Court Urged to Rule in Death Penalty Case

WASHINGTON (AP) - Arizona has asked the Supreme Court to overturn an appeals court ruling that would spare more than 100 death row inmates from execution. State attorneys said this month's ruling by the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was the only one of its kind and "opens the door to untold litigation." Justices should review the case "in the interest of fairness to the parties and to homicide victims," wrote John Pressley Todd, an Arizona assistant attorney general, in a filing sent to the court Tuesday. At issue are inmates who were sentenced to death by judges, not juries.

1 Student Dies, 1 Hurt in Minnesota Shooting

COLD SPRING, Minn. (AP) - A freshman opened fire at a high school Wednesday, killing one student and critically wounding a second before a teacher apparently talked the boy into dropping the gun, authorities said. The suspect was taken into custody after the late-morning shooting at Rocori High School in Cold Spring, a small town about 60 miles northwest of the Twin Cities. Police said the 15-year-old boy, who was not identified, was cooperating with authorities, but the motive was not immediately known.

Moussaoui Lawyers Argue for Dismissal

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - Court-appointed lawyers for terrorism suspect Zacarias Moussaoui have asked a federal judge to dismiss charges against him as punishment for the government's refusal to produce al-Qaida witnesses for the trial. In a written motion unsealed Wednesday, the lawyers said al-Qaida prisoners would testify that Moussaoui was not involved in planning either the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks or a later operation. They said government's refusal to allow the captives to testify would deny Moussaoui a fair trial and could unjustly lead to his execution.

Man Indicted in Seattle Under Protect Act

A 69-year-old man was charged Wednesday with having sexual contact with young boys in Cambodia in what is believed to be the first indictment of its kind under a new federal law aimed at protecting children. The Protect Act, signed in April by President Bush, makes it a crime for U.S. citizens to travel abroad to have sex with children. It also toughens penalties against child pornography and encourages states to set up Amber Alert systems, designed to help track down missing children.

Inmate's Peterson Story Called 'Somewhat Credible'

A Fresno County Jail inmate with a compelling story about neo-Nazis planning to kidnap Laci Peterson appeared to be telling the truth, said a retired police lieutenant who gave the inmate a lie detector test. "I have no stake in this," Melvin King said Monday about the polygraph that he gave last week to Cory Lee Carroll. "I'm just saying this guy is somewhat credible."

Utah Parolee Arrested in Slaying of Maine Student

WATERVILLE, Maine -- A 47-year-old parolee from a Utah prison is being held in the abduction and slaying of Colby College student Dawn Rossignol, state police said Tuesday. Maine police said they expect the attorney general to charge Edward Hackett with murder in the next couple of days. Hackett, who was on parole in Utah where he served time for a 1994 kidnapping and robbery, was first arrested Monday at his parents' home in Vassalboro on a charge of parole violation.

Innocent Plea in Georgia Corpse Dumping Case

LAFAYETTE, Ga. (AP) - A former crematory operator accused of dumping decaying bodies around his family business pleaded innocent Tuesday to some charges and contested the validity of hundreds of others. Ray Brent Marsh, 29, faces multiple counts of burial service fraud, making false statements, abuse of a dead body and theft. He remains free on bond. At Tuesday's arraignment hearing, Marsh pleaded not guilty to 122 counts of burial service fraud and 47 counts of making false statements.

4 Plead Innocent in Chicago Club Stampede

CHICAGO (AP) - A nightclub owner and three other men were charged with manslaughter in a stampede that killed 21 people last winter - a tragedy prosecutors said was caused in part by the owners packing the place to five times its capacity. E2 nightclub owner Dwain Kyles, his alleged partner Calvin Hollins Jr., party promoter Marco Flores and Hollins' son, Calvin Hollins III, a club manager, pleaded innocent Tuesday. A grand jury handed up the sealed indictments last week.

Judge Nixes Ex-Wife Motive in Sniper Case

Prosecutors argued Tuesday that sniper suspect John Allen Muhammad may have sought to harm his ex-wife during last year's killing spree, but a judge ruled they can't make that argument at trial because they have no supporting evidence. Circuit Judge LeRoy F. Millette Jr. upheld a request from defense lawyers to bar any trial testimony that Muhammad had either made any threats against his ex-wife or kidnapped the couple's children.

New Allegations Against Scott Peterson

FRESNO, Calif (UPI) -- A Fresno County Jail inmate claims accused killer Scott Peterson plotted with Neo-nazis against his pregnant wife about a month before she disappeared. Cory Lee Carroll passed a polygraph test and met this week with investigators in the Laci Peterson case, his attorney told the Fresno Bee. Officials directly associated with the case refused to comment on the claims, citing a gag order imposed by the court.

New Information In Peterson Case

Defense attorneys in the Laci Peterson case are hoping new information could prove Laci gave birth before she died. Toxicology reports indicate Laci had caffeine in her system, but her unborn son connor did not. Defense attorney's say that very well could disprove the prosecutions theory of Scott's involvement and events leading to Laci's death.

Experts: Kobe Bryant Heading for Trial

DENVER - When prosecutors go before a judge next month in the Kobe Bryant rape case, they will be armed with a wealth of evidence that leaves little doubt the NBA superstar will be ordered to stand trial, legal experts say. Among the evidence expected to be offered at the preliminary hearing: A videotaped statement from the woman accusing Bryant of rape; photographs of injuries she allegedly suffered at his hands; a statement from Bryant himself that allegedly backs up some of the woman's claims.

Death at Phil Spector Home Ruled Homicide

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The February shooting death of an actress at the home of record producer Phil Spector was ruled a homicide Monday by the coroner's office. Lana Clarkson was shot by another person and died of a single gunshot wound to the head and neck, said Lt. Cheryl MacWillie of the Los Angeles County coroner's office. Spector, 62, who is free on $1 million bail, has denied he killed Clarkson, telling Esquire magazine in an interview that she shot herself after grabbing a bottle of tequila.

Washington Student With Gun Is Shot by Police

Police shot and critically wounded a 17-year-old boy who brought a gun to school and fired a bullet into a wall Monday. The teen was hospitalized with life-threatening wounds, police said. No one else was hurt. Police said they were trying to establish a motive for the incident, which took place in a third-floor science classroom at Lewis and Clark High School.

Trial to Begin Against Real Estate Heir

GALVESTON, Texas (AP) - After an arrest, a six-week flight from authorities, nearly two years in jail and a three-week jury selection process, attorneys for Robert Durst, the cross-dressing New York real estate heir, are set to defend him against charges that he killed his elderly neighbor.

Death Penalty Goes On Trial

ALBANY - New York's 8-year-old death-penalty statute goes on trial today when the state's highest court considers the case of a man condemned to die for sneaking into his wife's hospital room and administering a lethal dose of potassium cyanide. Depending on how the Court of Appeals rules, James Cahill III's personal battle for his life may also have bearing on the validity of the capital-punishment law that Gov. Pataki promised to enact in his successful 1994 campaign for governor against death-penalty foe Mario Cuomo.

Man Indicted for Luring Girl for Sex Over Internet

An Oahu Grand Jury has indicted a 50-year-old Mililani man for allegedly using the Internet to try and lure a 13-year-old girl for sex. State authorities say Armando Sierra was indicted last week for first-degree electronic enticement of a child, a law created by the 2002 state Legislature.

Former Police Chief, 3 Others Indicted

An 11-count indictment alleging a former police chief and other officers falsified time cards and intimidated opponents has further divided this riverboat gambling destination. A Dearborn County grand jury returned indictments Friday against former Lawrenceburg Police Chief John Agner, former Assistant Chief John E. Johnson Jr., and officers Scott McAdams and Morgan B. Hedrick. The grand jury's report covered allegations made by five police officers 18 months ago in this Ohio River town 20 miles west of Cincinnati.

Baby Sitter Indicted in 2-Year-Old's Death

A baby sitter was indicted on a capital murder charge in the death of a 2-year-old girl. Felicia Chevell Pelzel, 18, is accused of the June 11 death of Baily Heald. According to court documents, Pelzel told police that she had accidentally suffocated the girl while trying to get her to stop crying after the child's mother left.

Man Charged With Kidnapping His Girlfriend

A Lowell man is in jail after allegedly kidnapping his girlfriend and taking her to Pelham, where he was taken into custody after he drove to the police station in pursuit of a car that rescued the woman after she broke free. Jose Soto, 18, struggled with his girlfriend after she escaped on Sherburne Road, according to testimony from the 19-year-old victim. She flagged down an approaching car, which took her to the police station.

Police chief: 'Phil Spector shot her'

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Sheriff's detectives say they have concluded that legendary record producer Phil Spector was responsible for the shooting death of an actress and have submitted their findings to prosecutors. "It's not an accident. It's not a suicide," Capt. Frank Merriman told the Los Angeles Times in a story for Friday editions. "Phil Spector shot her."

Man Charged With Peeping In Store Bathroom

A Virginia man on probation for strangling a Knoxville gay rights activist faces jail time after being charged with peeping in a store bathroom. Chad Allen Conyers killed 36-year-old Joseph Camber in April 2002 after the two men left a Knoxville night club. The 32-year-old Conyers was originally charged with second-degree murder. But in March he was allowed to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter.

Two More Suspects Killed Guarding Pot Plots

SACRAMENTO - Police killed two men allegedly guarding a marijuana garden Friday in a week of violent confrontations that left four suspected marijuana guards dead. The killings came as the multibillion dollar marijuana industry increasingly uses armed sentries to guard plots often found on public lands, said Attorney General Bill Lockyer. He urged hunters and hikers to be particularly wary as the clandestine harvest enters its final weeks.

Man Charged in Alcohol Death Won't Serve Time

Sean Pierre, 24, Ronan, who was charged with negligent homicide in December in connection with the alcohol-related death of a 15-year-old Polson girl, received a three-year deferred sentence Wednesday in Lake County District Court.

Dead Kentucky Teens Said to Leave Behind Notes

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Two teenage girls found dead in what police say was a murder-suicide left notes on their arms, and neither girl's body showed signs of a struggle, a coroner said. Christian County Deputy Coroner Randy Graham would not discuss what the notes said. "Once the police complete their investigation we may be able to talk about that," Graham said Sunday. He said investigators were interviewing the girls' friends and teachers.

Honduran Charged in Miami Serial Rapes

Authorities charged a Honduran man in a series of sexual assaults that had kept women in the Little Havana neighborhood on edge for more than a year, according to court documents Sunday. Miami Police Chief John Timoney said DNA evidence tied Reynaldo Elias Rapalo to seven rapes of women and girls between the ages of 11 and 79 since September 2002, including three young girls who were attacked in the span of four weeks in May and June. The 11-year-old was raped as she arrived home from school.

Inmate Pleads Innocent in Geoghan Slaying

An inmate accused of slaying former priest John J. Geoghan in prison pleaded innocent to murder Friday, then exited his arraignment screaming "Let's keep the kids safe!" and "Hold pedophiles accountable for their actions!" Joseph L. Druce allegedly beat and strangled Geoghan in the defrocked priest's cell at Souza-Baronowski Correctional Institute in Shirley on Aug. 23.

2 Ex-Jurors Plead Guilty to Taking Bribes

Two former jurors pleaded guilty to taking bribes to acquit two drug kingpins from the city's "Miami Vice" years. Gloria Alba pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, and Maria Penalver pleaded to conspiracy for helping corrupt the 1996 trial of Sal Magluta and Willy Falcon. Alba and her husband, Isael Alba, admitted getting less than $300,000 of a promised $1 million. Prosecutors said Penalver took about $20,000.

Man Jailed for Allegedly Raping Jogger

A construction worker kidnapped a jogger and raped her five times over a span of 24 hours in his pornography-littered trailer, videotaping one of the assaults and happily watching it before letting her go, authorities said. Police say the 45-year-old woman was set free after she agreed to make the video and pretend she enjoyed it. They had sex for 20 minutes and the suspect watched the video before leaving the woman at a Denver motel with $2 in quarters. She had memorized the man's name and address from a magazine label in the trailer, helping authorities track him down.

Wisconsin Killer Extradited to California

A man accused of clubbing to death a brother and sister 25 years ago in the Mojave Desert was extradited Thursday from Wisconsin to face capital murder charges. William F. Zamastil, 51, is charged with the 1978 robbery and murders of Malcolm Bradshaw, 17, and his sister Jacqueline, 18, of Los Angeles. Sheriff's deputies escorted Zamastil from a Wisconsin prison where he was serving time for murder.

Jurors Seek End to Oakland Police Trial

After nearly four months of deliberations, exhausted jurors said they remained hopelessly deadlocked in the trial of three former Oakland police officers charged with beating suspects and lying on police reports. The statement Thursday came a year to the day after testimony in the case began. The seven-man, five-woman jury has deliberated since May 29, when the judge gave them 122 pages of instructions.

Ex-teacher charged in girl's slaying

A former high school teacher faces murder and rape charges in the slaying of a 16-year-old Whatcom County girl whose body was found along the Chehalis Western Trail. Stephan D. Kaufman, 43, of Olympia was charged Wednesday in Thurston County Superior Court with one count of second-degree murder and two counts of third-degree child rape. He pleaded innocent during a court appearance Thursday, where his bail was set at $750,000. Kaufman was arrested Friday after sheriff's investigators interviewed him several times in connection with the slaying of Ashley M. Parks, a 16-year-old girl authorities believe he met over the Internet.

Man Held in Plot to Kill Bryant's Accuser

Authorities Thursday arrested a Swiss bodybuilding coach they said made a $3 million offer to kill the woman who has accused Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant of sexual assault. Patrick Graber was arrested for investigation of soliciting a murder after making the offer to Bryant's security director and then meeting with undercover detectives, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca told a press conference at his headquarters.

9 Chicago Officers Arrested in FBI Sting

Federal and state police arrested nine corrupt Chicago area officers in an undercover sting involving cash and fake cocaine. The Feds have a cooperating witness--an informer--who told the FBI he could set up crooked cops, sheriff's deputies and parole officers. Federal agents supplied cash and phony drugs and in three months nine current and former law enforcement officers took the bait in Operation Blue Steel. "The good news that comes out of today is that nine present and former police officers who sold their integrity are off the streets," said Tom Kneir, FBI agent in charge.

Prison Guard Arrested for Smuggling in Drugs

She was hired to guard inmates at the Southern Nevada Women's Correctional Facility. But investigators say she turned out to be a criminal. The prison guard is now in jail charged with providing drugs to inmates. Investigators believe she was able to get away with her drug trafficking operation for quite some time. Wednesday she was arrested after police caught her trying to smuggle two-balloons of heroin into the prison.

2 Oregon Men Plead Guilty to Terror Charges

Two brothers who were among seven people in Portland accused of aiding terrorists pleaded guilty Thursday to charges of conspiring to help al-Qaida and the Taliban during the war in Afghanistan. Ahmed Bilal, 25, and his brother, Muhammad Bilal, 23, appeared before U.S. District Judge Robert Jones to formally enter their pleas. Jones had announced the plea agreement Wednesday. The brothers also pleaded guilty to firearms charges in exchange for having the main charge of conspiracy to levy war against the United States dismisssed. Both face up to 14 years in federal prison.

Hammer charged with the murder of Williams' sister

A felon with ties to a street gang was charged Tuesday with murder in the death of the sister of tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams. Aaron Michael Hammer appeared briefly in Superior Court but Judge John J. Cheroske postponed his arraignment to Sept. 23 at the request of the defense. He remained held without bail. Hammer, 24, of Compton, is accused in the shooting of Yetunde Price, 31, as she sat in a sport utility vehicle early Sunday with a companion, Rolland Wormley, 28. An assault rifle and shell casings were found at the scene.

Kobe Bryant's Lawyers Press For Accuser's Medical Records

Kobe Bryant's lawyers on Monday asked for a hearing on their request for medical records of the 19-year-old woman who accused Bryant of rape, saying the documents would help the judge evaluate her credibility. In a court filing, defense attorney Pamela Mackey said the records should be released before Bryant's Oct. 9 preliminary hearing, when the judge will decide whether the evidence is sufficient to warrant a trial.

Kobe Bryant Accuser's Personal Info Accidentally Released

In the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case, the name of Kobe Bryant's accuser was mistakenly posted on the Colorado Court web site on Tuesday. The courts accidentally made public a subpoena that listed the accusers name and address. After finding the mistake, it was later replaced with the information blacked out.

Tennessee Police Kill Gunman After Standoff

A 26-year-old man with a history of mental problems held at least a dozen college students at gunpoint during a nine-hour standoff before a SWAT team stormed the school building and killed him. Authorities said the gunman, Harold Kilpatrick Jr., had left a note at his sister's house before the standoff Wednesday saying he "wanted to kill some people and die today."

Man Charged With Exposing Lover to HIV

A former city health commissioner who allegedly lied to an ex-boyfriend about his HIV status is the first person charged under a state law against intentionally exposing another person to the virus, prosecutors said. Ronald Gene Hill, 46, was arrested in Grass Valley, 50 miles northeast of Sacramento, following his indictment by a grand jury last week, said Mark MacNamara, spokesman for the San Francisco district attorney's office. Hill was being held in the Grass Valley jail late Wednesday on $100,000 bail, said a jail spokeswoman.

Evidence From Bay Prompts Speculation in Peterson Case

When authorities recovered Laci Peterson's remains on the shore of San Francisco Bay, they also found tape and clear plastic sheeting nearby. The significance is unknown, given a court-imposed gag order on the double-murder case that prevents either side from discussing evidence. But that hasn't prevented a host of theories from pundits, observers and experts on what the plastic may or may not mean. There appear to be equal numbers of scenarios presented that support the prosecution's contention that Scott Peterson murdered his pregnant wife and their unborn son, Conner, or that the Modesto man is innocent of the charges.