Missouri
Lawyer's trial in double homicide case delayed
LEBANON, Mo. (AP) - The trial of a suburban Kansas City lawyer charged with killing her father and his girlfriend has been delayed and will now include members of the Missouri Attorney General's office on the prosecution team.
The Lake Sun Leader reports a Circuit Court judge agreed Monday to continue the trial of Susan Van Note, which was scheduled to begin in February. No new trial date was set.
Van Note, of Lee's Summit, faces two counts of first-degree murder in the October 2010 shooting deaths of William Van Note and Sharon Dickson at the Lake of the Ozarks. Dickson died at the scene. William Van Note was hospitalized and prosecutors allege his daughter persuaded doctors to remove him from life support after she forged durable power of attorney documents.
Ohio
High school rape convict released from custody
STEUBENVILLE, Ohio (AP) - A second former Ohio high school football player convicted of raping a West Virginia girl following an alcohol-fueled party has been released from juvenile detention.
Trent Mays was released Tuesday after serving a two-year sentence. He will be put on probationary status and will have a sex offender classification hearing, defense attorney Adam Neeman told WTOV-TV in Steubenville.
"He is an extremely promising young man, eager to prove himself on behalf of his family and his community," Nemann said in a statement.
Mays, 18, and one of his Steubenville High School teammates, Ma'Lik Richmond, were each found delinquent in the 2012 rape of the 16-year-old girl. Mays was also found delinquent of using his phone to take a photo of the nude victim.
Richmond, 18, received a one-year sentence and rejoined the football team last fall, and in November a judge agreed to less restrictive sex offender reporting requirements. Richmond had been ordered to register his address every six months for the next 20 years. The judge agreed to reclassify him so that he has to register only once a year for the next decade.
A statement from the girl's family and their attorney says they hope Mays and Richmond realize the pain they caused and maintain a higher moral standard in the future.
The case drew international attention because of the role of social media publicizing the assault, and initial allegations of a cover-up by local authorities and frustration that more football players weren't charged, including some who witnessed the assaults.
A grand jury investigating whether other laws were broken in the case brought charges against six adults, including Steubenville superintendent Michael McVey.
McVey has pleaded not guilty to charges including felony counts of tampering with evidence and obstructing justice. His trial is scheduled to begin Monday.
William Rhinaman, the Steubenville schools' former technology director, has also pleaded not guilty to charges including tampering with evidence and obstructing justice.
Charges against the other four adults have been resolved.
Pennsylvania
Billboard firm sues couple for 'harassment'
KITTANNING, Pa. (AP) - A billboard company is suing a western Pennsylvania couple for harassment, saying their complaints that a lighted sign near their home is too bright has chased away six advertisers and cost the company $50,000.
But attorney Gregory Swank, who represents Andrew and Patricia Colberg, of West Kittanning, says he plans a countersuit asking that the billboard be removed and that the couple be paid for their aggravation.
The (Kittanning) Leader-Times reports the lawsuit filed last month in Armstrong County has grown out of a dispute that began when Oliver Outdoor Advertising installed the billboard in 2012.
The Colbergs complained to the company and officials in West Kittanning and, finally, to 18 companies that put their ads on the sign.
Oliver Outdoor Advertising says the couple harassed them by repeatedly contacting its clients.
New Jersey
Football program hit by hazing scandal to return
SAYREVILLE, N.J. (AP) - The New Jersey high school football program that had its season canceled amid hazing and sexual assault allegations will return.
Sayreville School Superintendent Rick Labbe announced Tuesday night that the program would resume at Sayreville High School for the 2015 season, the Home News Tribune (http://mycj.co/1yzZHiY ) reported.
"I believe very strongly after the last several months that football is a very important part of our athletic programs and our community and therefore, in consultation with our Board of Education, I am pleased to announce to you this evening that we will have a 2015 football season," Labbe said.
The superintendent canceled the 2014 season on Oct. 5, days before seven players were accused of hazing and sexually assaulting four teammates inside the locker room. The boys will be tried in juvenile court.
None of the coaches have been charged.
The football team's longtime head coach remains suspended indefinitely with pay from his tenured physical education teaching position at the high school. George Najjar compiled a 165-54 record during 20 seasons at Sayreville, including going 21-13 in postseason play.
Four assistants were suspended with pay from their tenured teaching positions on Oct. 16, but all were reinstated on Nov. 18.
Meanwhile, the school board accepted the resignation of athletics director John Kohutanycz, effective June 30.
School officials never said why Kohutanycz was suspended with pay on Dec. 17.
New York
Judges: Orthodox Jewish zone stays in beach town
WESTHAMPTON BEACH, N.Y. (AP) - A panel of federal judges has ruled that an Orthodox Jewish religious zone erected in a Hamptons beach community can stay.
The zone, called an eruv (EHR'-uv), is marked with utility poles bearing religious symbols.
It allows Orthodox Jews to push strollers, carry keys and perform other tasks not otherwise permitted on the Sabbath or High Holy Days.
Newsday reports the judges found the zone does not violate Constitutional issues regarding separation of church and state.
The dispute dates back several years.
A group called Jewish People for the Betterment of Westhampton Beach claimed in a 2012 lawsuit that the eruv violated the Constitution.
U.S. Court of Appeals judges said Tuesday the eruv is not "endorsing religion."
Published: Thu, Jan 08, 2015
