National Roundup

New Jersey Mistrial denied in '78 case of 5 teens killed NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Closing statements are possible after a judge on Thursday denied a request for a mistrial at the trial of a New Jersey man accused of burning five teenagers alive in 1978. The request came Wednesday as the prosecution cross-examined the defense's first witness who described defendant Lee Evans as a trustworthy person and mentioned his brother. The prosecutor asked whether the witness knew that Evans' brother was convicted of murder. Evans' legal adviser said the reference was prejudicial. The prosecution had rested its case after calling Evans' cousin, who pleaded guilty and received a reduced sentence for his testimony. Philander Hampton described how he and Evans lured the boys to a vacant Newark home, nailed them in a closet and burned them alive for stealing a pound of marijuana. Missouri Attorney: Unruly passenger to plead guilty ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A federal public defender for a man accused of trying to open a passenger jet's door mid-flight says his client intends to plead guilty. Michael Dwyer also told a U.S. magistrate judge Wednesday in St. Louis that two Washington University doctors found 34-year-old Reynel Alcaide of Burbank, Ill., competent to stand trial. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that authorities say Alcaide was on a Houston-to-Chicago flight in May when he repeatedly tried to open an exit door. The plane was diverted to St. Louis, and Alcaide was arrested after being subdued by passengers. Alcaide is charged with a crime involving an aircraft and interfering with a flight crew. A prosecutor says Alcaide told interviewers he was having marital problems and had tried to commit suicide before. West Virginia Settlements approved in remaining Sago lawsuits CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Settlements have been approved in the six remaining wrongful-death lawsuits filed by the families of miners who died in the 2006 Sago Mine disaster in West Virginia. Circuit Judge Charles King on Wednesday also signed off on several other settlements of lawsuits brought by family members other than those who were administering the victims' estates. Terms of the settlements were confidential, The Charleston Gazette reported. The workers were killed after a powerful methane gas explosion tore through the underground mine in Upshur County just as two crews were starting work Jan. 2, 2006. Of 13 workers, only one survived. The mine was operated by Wolf Run Mining Co. At the time it was owned by International Coal Group, which sold the mine earlier this year to St. Louis-based Arch Coal. Texas Soldier faces 6 new charges in Ft Hood bomb plot WACO, Texas (AP) -- An AWOL soldier accused of plotting to detonate bombs in a restaurant filled with Fort Hood troops and then shoot any survivors was expected back in court Thursday to be arraigned on six new charges. Among the new charges Pfc. Naser Jason Abdo faces is trying to use a weapon of mass destruction, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. He also was indicted last week by a federal grand jury in Waco on one count of attempted murder of officers or employees of the United States, two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a federal crime of violence, and two counts of possession of a destructive device in furtherance of a federal crime of violence. Prosecutors have said they plan to try him first on the six new charges, which carry lengthier prison terms, although he was indicted in August on three federal charges related to the same bomb plot near the Texas Army post this summer. He has not yet entered a plea on the initial charges -- possession of an unregistered destructive device, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition by a fugitive from justice. Each carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Abdo, who remains in federal custody in Waco, was arrested in July at a Killeen motel near Fort Hood. Investigators say they found a handgun, an article titled "Make a bomb in the kitchen of your Mom" and the ingredients for an explosive device, including gunpowder, shrapnel and pressure cookers. An article with that title appears in an al-Qaida magazine. After his arrest, he told authorities he planned to make two bombs and detonate them in a restaurant where Fort Hood soldiers eat, according to documents filed in the case. Abdo, 21, was approved as a conscientious objector this year after citing his Muslim beliefs, but that status was put on hold after he was charged with possessing child pornography. He went absent without leave from Fort Campbell, Ky., in early July. Authorities have said there is a gag order in the Texas case. Alaska Man charged in ax attack on snowplow ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- Alaska State Troopers say a man apparently angry that a snow berm was blocking his car is accused of attacking a snowplow with an ax. Snowplow driver James Ross told troopers that a man with an ax ran in front of his truck in Big Lake on Nov. 6. Ross says he was forced to slam on his brakes to avoid hitting the man. Ross says the man swore at him and then hit the driver's side door of the plow truck with the ax. The Anchorage Daily News reports the man was later identified as 44-year-old Vernon Logan. Troopers say Logan told them his driveway had been plowed in, but he denied a confrontation took place. He was charged with assault and criminal mischief. New York U.S. attorney: Madoff employee to plead guilty NEW YORK (AP) -- A federal prosecutor says a former employee of Wall Street swindler Bernard Madoff will plead guilty in New York to charges including conspiracy to commit securities fraud in connection with Madoff's epic Ponzi scheme and will cooperate with the government. U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara (buh-RAH'-ruh) said in a letter to a judge Wednesday that David Kugel will plead guilty at a court appearance scheduled for Monday. The letter says the charges include a conspiracy that started in the early 1970s and ran through December 2008. Kugel was a supervisory trader at Madoff's firm. A call to his attorney seeking comment has not been returned. Madoff used money from new investors to pay returns to existing clients. He pleaded guilty to fraud and is serving a 150-year prison sentence in Butner, N.C. He claims he acted alone. Published: Fri, Nov 18, 2011