Massachusetts: Union threatens labor charge in US fishery case
BOSTON (AP) — The union for federal attorneys who prosecute fishery law violators is threatening to file an unfair labor practice charge after a report accused attorneys in the Northeast of abusive behavior.
The National Weather Service Employees Organization on Tuesday warned federal regulators to back off changes announced last week by U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, including revisiting some judgments against fishermen.
Locke’s announcement followed a report by his agency’s inspector general on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s law enforcement agency.
Union attorney Marguerite Matera says any changes must by law be negotiated. She calls the inspector general’s allegations “spurious.”
The Department of Commerce says the secretary’s “aggressive” action was aimed at restoring trust in the law enforcement agency.
Nevada: Family plans lawsuit in Vegas police slaying case
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The family of a 38-year-old man shot dead by Las Vegas police outside a membership warehouse store say they plan to file a federal excessive force lawsuit.
A seven-member coroner’s inquest jury ruled Tuesday that police were justified in the July 10 slaying of Erik Scott outside a Costco store in northwest Las Vegas.
Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie plans to talk about the verdict with reporters on Wednesday.
On the courthouse steps, Scott’s father, Bill Scott, called the six-day courtroom inquest a “horrific nightmare.”
Family attorney Ross Goodman says a lawsuit could be filed against police and the store within two weeks.
Three officers testified they shot Scott while responding to a report about a man with a gun acting erratically and destroying merchandise.
Montana: Missoula man charged with attempted homicide
MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — A 30-year-old Missoula man has been charged with attempted homicide and aggravated assault after prosecutors said he twice strangled his girlfriend until she lost consciousness.
Nicolas B. Henss was charged Tuesday, but did not enter a plea. The Missoulian reports his bail was set at $250,000.
The woman told investigators that was sleeping on Henss’ couch last November when he woke her up, put his hand over her mouth, pinned her to the floor and pressed his forearm against her throat until she passed out.
Court records say when the woman regained consciousness she began yelling at Henss, who allegedly strangled her again. The woman told investigators that Henss told her he had to do CPR to revive her.
Police say Henss admitted to the allegations during an interview.
Idaho: Attorney’s wife wants no-contact order dropped
COEUR d’ALENE, Idaho (AP) — The wife of an Idaho attorney accused in a murder-for-hire plot is asking a federal judge to drop a no-contact order in the case.
The Coeur d’Alene Press reports Cyndi Steele wants to contact Edgar J. Steele to deal with numerous pending professional and family business matters. A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 7 in U.S. District Court in Coeur d’Alene.
Edgar Steele is charged with hiring a man to kill his wife and her mother. The no-contact order was put in place in June to prohibit Edgar Steele from talking to his wife, a potential witness in the case.
The motion reiterates Cyndi Steele’s claim that she doesn’t believe that her husband intended to harm her or was involved in a murder-for-hire plot.
Connecticut: Suspect in Yale doctor killing ruled incompetent
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut judge has ruled that an unemployed doctor is not competent to stand trial for murder in the killing of a Yale University physician he once worked with.
The New Haven Register reports Superior Court Judge Roland Fasano also ruled Tuesday that Dr. Lishan Wang must undergo a psychiatric evaluation. The judge said there’s a good chance Wang will later be deemed competent after receiving treatment. He continued the case to Nov. 29.
Wang, who recently lived in Marietta, Ga., is accused of shooting Vajinder Toor to death in April outside Toor’s home in Branford. Police say Wang also fired at Toor’s pregnant wife but missed.
Workplace confrontations with Toor and others at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in New York led to Wang’s dismissal two years ago.
South Dakota: Iroquois father and son to be tried separately
HURON, S.D. (AP) — An Iroquois father and son charged with manslaughter in a fatal 2008 traffic accident in Huron will be tried separately.
Beadle County Circuit Judge Jon Erickson on Tuesday denied a motion to combine the trials of Kyle Gross and son Brady Gross.
KOKK in Huron reports that States Attorney Mike Moore told the judge that he does not want to be precluded from using statements made at the scene by Brady Gross that could be used against his dad.
The car-semi truck collision on U.S. Highway 14 killed 59-year-old Barbara Walter, of Auburn, Wash.
Court documents allege that Kyle Gross, the registered owner of the truck driven by Brady Gross, failed to maintain his vehicles and keep proper records. Brady Gross is accused of driving the truck while knowing that the brakes were not working properly.
The trial for Brady Gross is slated for Jan. 5. His father’s trial is set for March 2.
Indiana: 130 families suing Kraft Foods over pollution
ATTICA, Ind. (AP) — An attorney says 130 families in a western Indiana town are ready for their day in court in their federal lawsuit over chemical pollution from a closed factory.
The lawsuit by the Attica residents against Kraft Foods Global Inc. was approved Tuesday for class-action status, allowing them to pursue it together.
The Journal & Courier of Lafayette reports the residents claim that chemicals used as cleaners and degreasers at the factory starting decades ago has caused water and air pollution. Attorney Shawn Collins says the pollution could be affecting 200 homes in the Fountain County town.
Kraft spokeswoman Joyce Hodel says the company has been working to clean up the contamination from the factory that it didn’t own when the chemicals were being used.
