National Roundup

 Oklahoma

Court overturns 2012 conviction of college player  
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma’s criminal appeals court has overturned the conviction of a former Oklahoma State basketball player accused of sexually assaulting two women at an off-campus party in 2010.
The Court of Criminal Appeals on Tuesday reversed the conviction for Darrell Williams because several jurors made unauthorized visits to the crime scene.
Williams was convicted in 2012 of two counts of rape by instrumentation and one count of sexual battery.
Two women testified that Williams groped them against their will at the party. But Williams’ attorneys argued that he was misidentified, noting that the women identified Williams as their attacker after police showed them a lineup of the Oklahoma State basketball team.
At sentencing, Williams received no jail time but was ordered to register as a sex offender.
 
Virginia
Prosecutors urge death penalty in sailor’s slaying 
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — Prosecutors have urged a federal jury to impose the death penalty on an ex-Marine who murdered a Navy sailor, saying it’s the only adequate punishment for a man who has committed a series of sexually motivated attacks.
The jury heard closing arguments Thursday in federal court in Alexandria in the trial of 25-year-old Jorge Torrez.
That jury found Torrez guilty of the 2009 murder of sailor Amanda Snell on an Arlington base.
After his conviction, Torrez ordered his lawyers not to make any defense on his behalf in the sentencing phase.
Prosecutor James Trump told jurors that execution is the only adequate punishment for a man who not only murdered Snell but killed two girls in his Illinois hometown. Torrez is charged but has not been convicted in those slayings.
 
Ohio 
Mother gets life sentence in her baby’s death 
TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — A Toledo woman convicted of killing her 6-month-old son has been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years.
Court officials say a judge on Thursday sentenced 26-year-old Amanda Bacon on charges of murder and child endangering in the death of her son, Avery.
Prosecutors say she bashed the baby’s head, fracturing his skull so severely that he died two days later at a hospital.
The jury convicted Bacon of the charges last week, acquitting her of an aggravated murder charge.
Bacon’s attorney didn’t immediately return a call to his office Thursday.
Bacon testified that her roommate injured the baby and forced Bacon to prostitute herself. But her roommate testified that he saw Bacon throw the baby to the floor in December 2012.
 
Massachusetts
Trial set for GOP hopeful’s lawsuit against party 
BOSTON (AP) — It could be some time before we know if there will be a contested Republican primary for governor in Massachusetts.
A Superior Court judge has set June 18 as the date for a trial on Mark Fisher’s lawsuit against the state party. Fisher, a tea party member, claims he received more than 15 percent of the vote of delegates at the GOP convention last month, earning him a spot on the primary ballot.
Party officials say Fisher received only 14.8 percent of the vote, after blank ballots were added to the tally.
Judge Douglas Wilkins said in a court filing that the trial will determine whether Fisher should be allowed on the primary ballot along with Charlie Baker, the 2010 Republican nominee, who received 82 percent of the convention vote.
 
Ohio
Former partner to testify against Ohio lawmaker 
CINCINNATI (AP) — A former business partner has agreed to testify against an Ohio lawmaker charged with theft and fraud for allegedly misleading investors about a company’s financial status and using their money for personal gain.
Prosecutors said during a Thursday hearing in Hamilton County court that they reached a plea agreement with John Fussner so he’ll testify against Republican state Rep. Pete Beck of Mason.
Fussner pleaded guilty to selling unregistered securities in an insolvent company. In exchange, prosecutors dropped six other charges.
Although Fussner’s guilty pleas could carry between two and eight years in prison, prosecutors say they’ll recommend probation as long as he goes through with testifying against Beck.
 
Montana
Ex-nurse pl­eads guilty to wi­tness tampering charge
BUTTE, Mont. (AP) — A former correctional facility nurse convicted of having sex with an inmate has pleaded guilty to trying to threaten a witness.
The Montana Standard reports 45-year-old Tisha Ann Brunell changed her plea Wednesday in Anaconda court on the charge of solicitation to tamper with a witness.
A jury convicted Brunell last month on 48 criminal charges, including multiple counts of sexual intercourse without consent and transferring illegal items.
By law, inmates cannot consent to sex. Brunell had worked at the Sanction, Treatment, Assessment, Revocation and Transition Center in Butte.
Prosecutors say while Brunell called several people before her trial in attempts to intimidate a witness slated to testify.
A sentencing hearing will be held after a presentence investigation is completed for both the witness tampering and original charges.
 
California
Father of teen shot by Oakland officer sues city 
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The father of a 16-year-old Oakland boy who was shot in the face by an officer who mistook him for a robbery suspect is suing the city.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports a federal civil rights lawsuit was filed Wednesday on behalf of Frenswa Raynor.
The city did not immediately respond to the suit.
Court papers say Raynor suffered a graze wound to his jaw last April when he was shot by Officer Bryan Clifford.
The shooting occurred after police responded to a robbery and were given descriptions of three male suspects.
Attorney John Burris says the group turned out to be Raynor and two of his friends.
Officers intercepted the trio, and Clifford, sensing a threat, shot Frenswa in the jaw, authorities said. Police later confirmed that Frenswa and his friends were not responsible for the robbery.