National Roundup

Rhode Island
After murder conviction overturned, man enters plea
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Lawyers for a man whose 1992 murder conviction was overturned after decades in prison has agreed to enter a plea to end the case.

Raymond Tempest's lawyers say their client entered an "Alford plea" on Monday to second-degree murder. The plea has the effect of a guilty plea, but he maintains his innocence and will be released from home confinement.

Tempest was convicted of second-degree murder in the 1982 death of 22-year-old Doreen Picard. He was sentenced to 85 years in prison but has maintained his innocence. His conviction was vacated in 2015 after the judge found police and prosecutors didn't disclose evidence and suppressed details about changed witness statements.

Lawyer Michael Kendall says his client faced the choice of making an Alford plea and going home or facing a new trial and possible life sentence.

Tennessee
Man argues statements coerced after his arrest
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee school teacher who led police on a nationwide manhunt after running away with a 15-year-old student is arguing that statements he made after his arrest were coerced and should not be used in court.

Brent Horst, an attorney for 50-year-old Tad Cummins, made the argument in court filings a federal judge released this month, The Tennessean reported Friday.

Horst said law enforcement illegally collaborated with Cummins' estranged wife to pressure him to confess that he had sex with his former student.

Horst also said authorities suggested Cummins could be charged with rape if he did not confess to consensual sex with the girl. Cummins was charged with taking a minor across state lines for sex, and obstruction of justice after allegedly admitting they had sex during most of their 38 days on the run.

Cummins and the girl disappeared in March. They were found in April at a remote forest cabin near Cecilville, California, following a tip to police.

Prosecutors are expected to respond to Cummins' argument this month, and a decision could be made on the matter as soon as January.

A judge ordered Cummins held until trial. He's filed paperwork saying he is pleading not guilty.

The Tennessee Board of Education revoked Cummins' teaching license in July.

New York
Man convicted of killing trooper in 1974 released
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — A New York court has ruled against a police union's appeal to keep in prison a man convicted of fatally shooting a state trooper in 1974.

The Post-Standard of Syracuse reports that 74-year-old John Ruzas was scheduled to be released Monday, 43 years after the shooting near Lenox in central New York.

Trooper Emerson Dillon was shot and killed in 1974 after he stopped a speeding car that contained two men suspected of robbing a jewelry store. Ruzas was sentenced to 25 years to life for the shooting.

Ruzas was denied parole 11 times, with one of his daughters and the trooper union writing to oppose his release. The union said Saturday it is "extremely disappointed" in the ruling.

A judge noted that Ruzas uses a wheelchair and has expressed remorse.

Alaska
Sarah Palin's son arrested on domestic violence claims
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Court documents say Track Palin, the oldest son of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, was arrested on charges related to domestic violence again.

He was arraigned Sunday morning on three counts of felony burglary, misdemeanor reckless assault and misdemeanor criminal mischief.

He remained jailed in Palmer, Alaska, as of Sunday afternoon.

Track Palin previously faced domestic violence charges in 2016. Court records say he was suspected of punching his girlfriend, who then became concerned that Palin was going to shoot himself with a rifle. He took a plea deal that resulted in some of the charges being dismissed and he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor possessing a firearm while intoxicated.

Attorney John Tiemessen, who said he represents Sarah Palin, acknowledged the arrest Sunday and asked for privacy.

No attorney was listed for Track Palin.

South Dakota
Jury awards $1.2M for sexual harassment
ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota jury has awarded $1.2 million to a former state law enforcement agent who claimed discrimination and retaliation.

The American News reports the jury sided Friday with past Division of Criminal Investigation agent Laura Zylstra Kaiser, who sued agency Director Bryan Gortmaker and ex-agent Mark Black.

Kaiser in a written statement thanked the jury for "giving me justice." She alleged violations of the federal Civil Rights Act and the South Dakota Human Relations Act.

Kaiser filed a sexual harassment complaint in 2011 against a former Brown County deputy who made inappropriate comments about her.

Kaiser said she discussed it with Black, claiming he broke her confidence and told others what happened.

Kaiser's lawsuit claimed the strife caused her to be demoted and transferred to Pierre against her wishes. She resigned in 2012.

Washington
Lawsuit over foster home abuse can proceed
CENTRALIA, Wash. (AP) — A Thurston County judge says a lawsuit alleging misconduct at a group foster home in Centralia can proceed against the Kiwanis International and two local clubs.

Superior Court Judge James Dixon on Friday rejected the Kiwanis claim that it had no actual involvement in Centralia's Kiwanis Vocational Home.

The Centralia Chronicle reports that an attorney for Kiwanis International and local clubs had asked the judge to dismiss the claims against them.

The Kiwanis Vocational Home served as a state-licensed group home for wards of the state until 1994.

In the first of several lawsuits filed, three men claimed in 2015 that the state and Kiwanis allowed the home to stay open despite years of allegations of sexual and physical abuse by staff and other residents.

The state Department of Social and Health Services last week agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle their portion of that lawsuit.