National Roundup

Massachusetts
Man charged with backing ISIS faces trial in June
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — The son of a Boston police captain charged with plotting a terrorist attack on a college campus to support the Islamic State group heads to trial next year.

A federal judge last week scheduled 25-year-old Alexander Ciccolo’s trial to start June 18.

Ciccolo, of Adams, was arrested in July 2015 after receiving guns from a federal informant. Prosecutors say he planned to detonate homemade bombs similar to the pressure cooker bombs used in the 2013 Boston Marathon attack.

He pleaded not guilty to charges including attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.

Ciccolo’s attorney has said in court filings the government’s plan to hide the identities of witnesses has hampered his ability to build a defense.

Ciccolo’s mother has said her son “would not hurt a fly.”

Oklahoma
School sued for alleged sex abuse of students
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma school and its board of directors are being sued on behalf of 15 girls who say they were molested by a teacher’s aide.

The federal lawsuit filed Friday in Oklahoma City seeks unspecified damages from the Perry school district and the school board for allegedly failing to protect the elementary students from molestation by 86-year-old Arnold Cowen.

No attorney for the school or board is listed in court documents.

Cowen has pleaded not guilty to 19 felony charges of committing lewd or indecent acts to a child under 16, one count of making an indecent proposal and one count of possessing child pornography.

Former principal Kenda Miller and former teacher Jeffrey Sullins face misdemeanor charges of failing to report child abuse.

Sullins has pleaded not guilty while Miller has asked that the charge be dismissed.

Virginia
Man charged with attempted murder after 2 deputies shot
STERLING, Va. (AP) — A Virginia man has been charged with attempted murder after police say he shot two sheriff’s deputies on Christmas Eve.

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office says 39-year-old Douglas V. Johnson Jr. was arrested Sunday night after a domestic incident in Sterling, Virginia, about 30 miles northwest of Washington.

A spokesman for the office says deputies tried to arrest Johnson after he was in a fight with a relative. Authorities say one deputy used a stun device as the second tried to restrain Johnson.

Police say Johnson grabbed his own gun and shot the two deputies. They were hit in their arms and legs. They are recovering at a hospital.

Johnson is being held without bond. Records don’t list a lawyer for him.

Alabama
No new trial for man who spent decade in jail
DOTHAN, Ala. (AP) — A judge has refused to give a new trial to a man who spent a decade in jail before going to trial on murder charges.

Houston County Circuit Judge Kevin Moulton last week refused a grant Kharon Davis a new trial. The case drew national attention because Davis was held without bond for 10 years before going to trial.

A jury in September found Davis guilty of murder in the 2007 shooting death of Pete Reaves. He was sentenced to life in prison.

Davis’ attorneys asked the judge for a new trial, or a summary judgment of acquittal. They argued prosecutors had failed to corroborate accomplice testimony, made improper statements during opening statements and that the judge wrongly denied his request for a change of venue.

Iowa
Ex-softball coach convicted in 2nd sex abuse trial
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A former softball coach has been found guilty of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl in Council Bluffs.

The Daily Nonpareil reports that John Osborn was convicted Friday of four counts of sexual abuse. Court records say his sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 1.

It was the 50-year-old Osborn’s second trial on the charges. He’d been convicted in spring 2015, but the judge ordered a new trial when new evidence surfaced before Osborn could be sentenced. The second trial was delayed by appeals.

Council Bluffs police say Osborn and the girl engaged in sex acts when the girl stayed at Osborn’s house for a sleepover with his daughter.

Maryland
Pilot program aims to cut number of jailed defendants
BALTIMORE (AP) — A pilot program under way in Baltimore County aims to lessen the number of people detained in lockups while awaiting trial.

The Baltimore Sun reports that a new scoring system seeks to reduce numbers of jailed defendants without failing to ensure public safety.

A risk assessment program that started being tested in early December gauges various factors including the seriousness of a defendant’s offense, their job history and any previous failures to appear in court.

Judges have considered criteria like this for many years. But Chief Administrative Judge Kathleen Cox tells the newspaper that the new scoring method is designed to keep decisions consistent.

Cox says Baltimore County reviewed similar scoring programs in two other Maryland counties.

Judges are still able to follow their own discretion during the pilot program.

Illinois
Alleged robber  charged for hold-up at barbershop
CHICAGO (AP) — A suburban Chicago man is facing armed robbery charges after allegedly putting a gun to the head of an 11-year-old boy during a hold-up at a small community barbershop.

The Chicago Tribune reports a Cook County judge denied bond to Alfred L. Williams, of Dolton, during a Saturday hearing. He cited what he called the “cold and callous nature” of the robbery in ordering Williams remain behind bars.

Prosecutors say Williams entered Harvey’s Clippers & Shears with two accomplices last Tuesday and pointed the gun at the boy. Someone then grabbed the boy, shielding him and other kids as the robbery unfolded.

The robbers collected cash from barbers and customers before fleeing. One barber fired at the getaway car.