At a Glance ...

Charges dismissed against mom in standoff

DETROIT (AP) — Criminal charges have been dismissed against a Detroit mother accused of firing a shot at police and keeping them at bay outside her home when they tried to remove her daughter.

Judge Ronald Giles dismissed the charges Monday following a preliminary examination in 36th District Court.

Maryanne Godboldo had been charged with discharging a weapon, felonious assault, resisting and obstructing an officer, and using a firearm during a felony.

An order given to Detroit police on March 24 to remove Godboldo’s 13-year-old physically impaired daughter, Ariana, was invalid, according to Giles, who also determined there was insufficient evidence to prove a gun was fired at officers.

Godboldo has been battling the state Department of Human Services after she took her daughter off the anti-psychotic drug, Risperdal, which often is used to contain aggression and even treat autism.

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Appeals court to review prison newspaper ban

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The state of Louisiana is asking a federal appeals court to rule that the state’s prisons can ban inmates from receiving copies of The Final Call newspaper published by the Nation of Islam.

The state wants the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a judge’s ruling that the David Wade Correctional Center must deliver copies of the newspaper to Henry Leonard, a convicted murderer who claimed the Homer prison violated his right to free exercise of religion.

Attorney General James “Buddy” Caldwell’s office says the newspaper contains racist rhetoric that poses a security threat.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana says banning The Final Call from prisons is unconstitutional and has no connection to preventing violence.

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Police: Trucker tried to back rig into courthouse

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) — A trucker upset about child-support matters is charged with felony criminal property damage after police say he intentionally tried backing his tractor-trailer into a southwestern Illinois courthouse.

Edwardsville Police Chief James Bedell says 42-year-old Roy Conger’s attempt to ram the Madison County courthouse failed when the Collinsville man’s semi rig got stuck on the property’s steps.

Police say Conger left the scene and surrendered at the nearby county jail.

He’s charged with criminal damage to state-supported property valued at more than $500.

Conger earlier sought to have his child-support payments reduced after he lost his job.

He was jailed this week on $25,000 bond.

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Prosecutor agrees to license revocation

WINCHESTER, Va. (AP) — A former Winchester prosecutor facing sentencing on federal charges has agreed to surrender his law license.

Media outlets report that former Winchester Commonwealth’s Attorney Paul Hampton Thomson has agreed to the revocation of his law license last week. The 56-year-old will be eligible to seek his license’s reinstatement in five years.

Defense attorney John P. Flannery II says Thomson decided not to contest the revocation of his law license.Thomson pleaded guilty in June to cocaine possession and tampering with witnesses and evidence. He’s scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 26 in federal court. He remains free on $50,000 bond.

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