National Roundup

Illinois
Judge OKs blind man’s suit over drive-thru policy
CHICAGO (AP) — A federal judge has ruled a blind man’s lawsuit can go forward against McDonald’s arguing he can only purchase food in the middle of the night if he has a vehicle.

Scott Magee filed a lawsuit in May in Chicago federal court alleging that only offering service at drive-thru windows when the restaurant’s inside is closed violates the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Chicago Tribune reports the Louisiana man wants the Illinois-based fast-food chain to find a way to sell its food to those who physically can’t use a drive-thru. Many locations operate only as drive-thrus late at night for security reasons.

A judge ruled Wednesday that Magee’s lawsuit can go forward despite McDonald’s efforts to have it dismissed. Magee is seeking class-action status.

Pennsylvania
Ex-student sues boarding school amid sex probe
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A 29-year-old woman is suing a Pennsylvania boarding school weeks after a grand jury report detailed a half-century of sexual abuse there.

The “Jane Doe” accuser says the Solebury School failed to act when it learned the athletic director became sexually involved with her senior year. The woman says the relationship with Lyle Hazel continued for years and left her unable to finish college.

Hazel was later fired for embezzlement. A phone listing for him could not be found. A Solebury spokeswoman did not immediately return a message.

The grand jury report describes nine adults who sexually abused students at the Bucks County school, but only “Jane Doe” can still file suit.

She does not want to pursue criminal charges.

Hazel invoked his Fifth Amendment right not to answer grand jury questions about the relationship.

Tennessee
Inmate sues over quality of kosher prison food
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee inmate has filed a lawsuit claiming the food he has to eat in prison doesn’t meet kosher standards.

The Tennessean reports Perry A. March sued the Tennessee Department of Correction and Philadelphia-based food vendor Aramark earlier this month in Nashville federal court.

March has been in prison for a decade of his 56-year term for the 1996 disappearance of his wife, Janet March, and a subsequent plot to kill her parents.

The lawsuit says his religious practices are infringed upon because he is served poor-quality soy meals and has fewer kosher options in his diet plan than standard meal plans.

He’s serving time in Morgan County Correctional Complex near Oak Ridge.

The state prison system and Aramark defend the food service. Correction department spokeswoman Alison Randgaard said in an email officials are “committed to ensuring offenders are provided with quality, nutritious meals.”

Pennsylvania
Thieves steal cash raised for bone marrow charity
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Thieves have broken into a popular Philadelphia sandwich shop and made off with thousands of dollars, including $1,500 in donations raised for a bone marrow charity.

John Bucci, owner of John’s Roast Pork, tells The Philadelphia Inquirer at least one of the thieves “had to be a skinny guy” to shimmy down a rooftop exhaust duct into the store using a rope. Police say a box containing about $3,000 was taken.

Among the cash was $1,500 the store raised for a national bone marrow registry. Bucci received bone marrow transplants while being treated for leukemia. The disease sidelined him for two years from the south Philadelphia luncheonette his grandfather opened in the 1930s.

While rivals Pat’s and Geno’s are popular cheesesteak spots for tourists, John’s is a local favorite.

Florida
Man accused of killing flamingo ruled incompetent 
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A Florida judge ruled that a man accused of killing a flamingo at Busch Gardens is too mentally ill to go to trial.

Hillsborough Circuit Judge Tom Barber issued the order Friday after two doctors who examined 45-year-old Joseph Corrao concluded he’s not competent to stand trial on an aggravated animal cruelty charge stemming from the death of Pinky.

The Tampa Bay Times reports Barber wants the doctors to discuss their findings and treatment options during a future hearing.

Corrao, free on bond, attended the hearing but said little.

Police reports show that during an Aug. 2 visit to the Tampa theme park with his family, Corrao reached into an animal pen, grabbed Pinky and slammed her to the ground. She was later euthanized.


Massachusetts
Man convicted of running over woman, dragging body 3 miles
DEDHAM, Mass. (AP) — A judge has convicted a Massachusetts man of running over a hotel worker four years ago and dragging her body more than 3 miles.

The Norfolk District Attorney’s Office says 25-year-old Moses Acloque, of Norwood, was convicted on Tuesday of charges including motor vehicle homicide and leaving the scene of an accident after causing death. Sentencing is planned for mid-March.

Authorities say Acloque was squatting in a vacant room at the Arbor Inn on U.S. Route 1. Hotel management confronted him in November 2013.

Police say Acloque tried to flee in a truck, but hit 58-year-old Kanchanben Patel, who became stuck under the vehicle and was dragged for miles into Foxborough.

Patel’s body became dislodged after Acloque pulled into the parking lot behind a restaurant near Gillette Stadium.

Utah
Mother of man shot by police settles lawsuit
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A woman whose son was shot by police while holding a costume samurai sword has settled a lawsuit over his death, resolving a conflict with her onetime lawyer that reached a federal appeals court.

Lawyer Clemens Landau said Thursday the final settlement terms are confidential but acceptable to Susan Hunt.

Hunt had been asking an appeals court to overturn a judge’s ruling that enforced a $900,000 agreement with the city of Saratoga Springs.

She said her ex-attorney wrongly took the deal on her behalf, though he denied that and produced a recording of her appearing to agree to it.

Hunt told reporters she rejected the money because it would bar her from talking publicly about 22-year-old son Darrien Hunt.

City lawyers have said she misunderstood the terms.