Maryland
Trans teacher sues DC-area district, citing discrimination
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (AP) - A transgender English teacher says she was repeatedly harassed by students, parents and colleagues at three different schools in a Maryland district. When she complained, she says Prince George's County school officials retaliated.
Attorneys for Jennifer Eller tell The Washington Post the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission determined her claims had merit.
The 41-year-old's complaint says she was called a pedophile, told to present as male, referred to by male pronouns and threatened with rape by a student, among other offenses. She says that after filing formal complaints, she lost her Advanced Placement classes and was brought to a disciplinary hearing. She was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
School officials wouldn't comment on the specific case, but spokeswoman Raven Hill says they follow state guidance on youth gender identity nondiscrimination.
Pennsylvania
2 men get life for deadly drive-by shooting of disc jockey
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) - Two men convicted in the deadly drive-by shooting of a popular disc jockey outside a northeastern Pennsylvania bar have been sentenced to life in prison without the chance for parole.
Roberto Battle, a 29-year-old Brooklyn, New York resident who authorities say fired the fatal shots, continued to maintain his innocence during the sentencing Thursday.
A Luzerne County jury convicted Battle and 38-year-old David Nealy, of Kingston, on first-degree murder and conspiracy charges last December stemming from the fatal shooting of Michael Onley in October 2013.
Authorities say Onley, who performed as DJ Mo and had rallied against gun violence, was killed after Battle opened fire from a car outside Wilkes-Barre's now-closed Outsiders Bar.
Authorities said Battle had been kicked out of the bar that night. Nealy has said he wasn't aware Battle would open fire.
Louisiana
70 years for man who admitted killing his mother
FRANKLINTON, La. (AP) - A 25-year-old Louisiana man was sentenced to 70 years in prison after admitting during his trial that he killed his mother and wounded a neighbor and a police officer.
Christopher Rashad Dillon of Franklinton pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Robin Dillon as well as attempted armed robbery, possessing a firearm after a felony conviction, and two counts of attempted first-degree murder, District Attorney Warren Montgomery said in a news release Thursday.
Dillon entered his plea on Tuesday, after the second day of his trial. He admitted shooting a neighbor while trying to rob him on Dec. 19, 2013, then shooting and killing his mother while rummaging through her purse. When Franklinton police arrived, Dillon said he would surrender, but instead shot Sgt. Chad Dorsett.
Montgomery said Dillon kept police from entering the house by claiming he held his mother hostage, but she already had been shot and was dying. After about an hour, he started a fire on the floor of the bedroom where his mother lay, crawling out through a window as the trailer home became engulfed in flames.
The neighbor's right arm was shattered. The bullet that hit Dorsett went through the officer's arm and was then stopped by his bullet-proof vest, the news release said.
District Judge Scott Gardner of Covington sentenced Dillon to 40 years for manslaughter, 50 years for the attempted murder counts, and 49½ years for one count of attempted armed robbery. Those are to be served simultaneously, followed by 20 years on the weapons charge. He is not eligible for parole, probation or a suspended sentence, the judge said.
Texas
Man who tied concrete to wife gets life term in her drowning
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - A Texas man who admitted to killing his estranged wife by tying a massive chunk of concrete to her and throwing her off a bridge into a lake has been sentenced to life in prison.
Prosecutors in Fort Worth say Rodolfo "Rudy" Arellano pleaded guilty Wednesday to capital murder. He'll serve life behind bars without chance of parole.
The 36-year-old man could have faced the death penalty if convicted at trial.
The body of 28-year-old Elizabeth Arellano was discovered in April 2016 in Lake Worth after police say fishermen reported hearing screams and seeing someone fall from the bridge.
When her body was discovered, a rope was tied around her neck attached to a 119-pound (54-kilogram) hunk of concrete. Rodolfo Arellano was arrested 10 days later.
Alaska
Mayor pleads guilty to soliciting prostitution
KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) - A mayor in southeast Alaska received a 10-day suspended jail sentence after pleading guilty to soliciting prostitution.
Klawock Mayor Lawrence Armour pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge Wednesday in court on Prince of Wales Island, the Ketchikan Daily News reported .
The 36-year-old mayor electronically sent $400 to a woman on New Year's Day, asking her to come to his residence for sex, according to court documents. Craig police obtained a copy of their communication on Facebook Messenger.
"The person took the money and just kept the money," Ketchikan District Attorney Timothy McGillicuddy told the court. "There was no follow-through conduct that happened here."
When questioned earlier this month, Armour told police he asked for sexual favors and made the payment, according to the documents.
"The defendant was remorseful and indicated that he had been drinking prior to the Facebook interaction, and he had made a mistake," Craig Police Chief RJ Ely wrote in the probable cause statement.
Armour told the court that he went to emergency counseling and is planning to enter a treatment program.
"This is not behavior that you want to model for youth or the community," Magistrate Judge Kay Clark told Amour. "I think that people make mistakes, and this was a mistake. It is telling what people do after a mistake and in this case, you were quick to come forward and take responsibility for your behavior, and I think that deserves some weight."
Armour was also sentenced to six months of probation and fined $1,000. Half the fine amount was suspended upon completion of a substance abuse treatment program.
Published: Mon, Feb 04, 2019
