National Roundup

Illinois
Jackson’s lawyers want portion of document sealed
CHICAGO (AP) — Lawyers for convicted former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. are asking a judge to seal a portion of a sentencing document that’s set to be filed this week because it will contain “sensitive details” about his medical issues.
In a federal court document filed Tuesday, Jackson’s attorney says the information will also include details about the medical condition of a family member, but didn’t say which one.
Jackson’s lawyers expect to submit letters from two “medical professionals,” which lawyer William Drake says could give the public “intimate details” of Jackson’s health.
He faces nearly five years in prison when he’s sentenced in July after pleading guilty to misusing $750,000 in campaign money.
The Democrat resigned last November, citing health concerns and acknowledging he was under federal investigation.

Ohio
State high court sets execution date for slaying
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio Supreme Court has set a 2015 execution date for a Cincinnati man accused of shooting a man in the head during a drug-related robbery.
Records show that condemned killer Angelo Fears shot Antwan Gilliam in an apartment in 1997 as Gilliam begged for his life after Fears and a co-defendant had robbed another man of cash, jewelry and crack cocaine.
The court on Wednesday ordered Fears be put to death on Sept. 17, 2015.
The 40-year-old Fears is on death row in Chillicothe.
Although Fears’ execution is more than two years away, it’s unclear how the state intends to put him to death.
Ohio will run out of its current execution drug this September and hasn’t announced its plans for a new drug.

Arkansas
Judge files order removing sheriff from office
MARSHALL, Ark. (AP) — A circuit judge has filed an order removing Searcy County Sheriff Kenny Cassell from office after the Arkansas Supreme Court found Cassell was ineligible for the post.
The order from Circuit Judge David Clinger says Cassell should be removed immediately from office. Two weeks ago, the high court found that Cassell’s 1979 conviction for possessing stolen hens made him ineligible to serve.
Searcy County Judge Johnny Hinchley tells the Harrison Daily Times that he’s called a special meeting for the Searcy County Quorum Court on Wednesday night. Hinchey says the court will be asked to pass a resolution and declare a vacancy in the sheriff’s post.
Officials say seven people have already applied for the position.
Cassell’s attorney has said his client hopes to remain involved in the community.

Oregon
Desperate art theft victim went too far in threat
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — A Eugene man desperate to recover a stolen art collection admits he went too far in April when he threatened a man with a gun in an attempt to force him to talk to police.
The possible suspect said he didn’t know anything about the theft, and police arrested the man with the gun.
The Register-Guard reports 61-year-old Anthony Shaia pleaded guilty Monday in Lane County Circuit Court to coercion and unlawful use of a weapon. He was sentenced to three years on probation.
Meanwhile, police say they have no leads in the investigation into the 2011 theft from Shaia’s home.
He has offered a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the return of the 800-piece collection of art and artifacts from Southeast Asia.

Georgia
Lawyers want lower bond in death of law grad
MACON, Ga. (AP) — Attorneys for a man accused of killing Mercer University law school graduate Lauren Giddings say bond in the case is too high.
They say they want to show their client could live in suburban Atlanta with no danger to the community.
The lawyers for Stephen McDaniel argue in court motions that the $850,000 bond is excessive and the judge should consider reducing it since prosecutors removed the option of the death penalty from the case.
The Telegraph reports that defense lawyers also say they want to present evidence that McDaniel could live with family members in Lilburn, a suburb of Atlanta.
McDaniel is charged with the June 2011 slaying and dismemberment of 27-year-old Giddings, who was from Laurel, Md.
McDaniel has pleaded not guilty.

Mississippi
Police look for motive in tavern death of soldier
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) — Hattiesburg City Court Judge Jerry Evans has set bond for two suspects picked up after a bar altercation claimed the life of a Brandon man.
The Hattiesburg American reports Derrick Valdez, 31, is being held on a $1 million bond, and Aaron Keith Dement, 23, on a $750,000 bond — both at the Forrest County Jail.
Both Columbia men are charged with murder in the stabbing death of Holden Hughes, 23, who died following an early Sunday morning altercation.
Hattiesburg Police Department spokesman Lt. Jon Traxler says Hughes was stabbed multiple times in the torso following a fight outside Benny’s Boom Boom Room.
Traxler says detectives are still investigating a motive for the slaying.
Hughes had recently returned from a Mississippi Army National Guard volunteered deployment with the 289th Vertical Construction Engineer Company of Bruce.
His home unit was the 168th Engineer Brigade of Vicksburg, according to a press release.
The release said Hughes was not stationed at Camp Shelby at the time of his death.

Wisconsin
Juveniles face charges in gang initiation beating
WAUSAU, Wis. (AP) — At least five juveniles are facing charges in Marathon County after a gang initiation beating was posted on Facebook.
Everest Metro police say the video shows a 16-year-old boy allowing several other teens to beat him so he could join their gang. Three of the teens involved are students in the D.C. Everest Area School District. Two are students at Mosinee High School.
Police Capt. Clay Schulz says the group is not affiliated with any known major gang. Daily Herald Media says three boys, ages 14 and 16, have been referred to the Marathon County Juvenile Court Services. A 14-year-old girl was also referred.s