National Roundup

Missouri
3 businessmen accused in ‘rent-a-vet’ scheme

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Federal prosecutors are alleging that two Topeka businessmen and another from the Kansas City area participated in a scheme to defraud the federal government by setting up companies to gain federal contracts meant for specific groups, such as disabled military veterans.

In a civil action filed in Kansas City, federal prosecutors allege the three men set up front companies in a fraud that cost the government about $352 million.  Those accused are Matthew Torgeson, former president of Torgeson Electric Co., and Matthew McPherson, president of McPherson Construction Inc., of Topeka. Also cited Is Kansas City-area businessman Patrick Michael Dingle.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the civil action asks that properties and bank accounts owned by the men and companies they set up be forfeited.

Connecticut
Man gets 18 years for sexual abuse of child

DANBURY, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut man convicted of sexually abusing a child while living in the home of a member of the local education board has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.

The News Times of Danbury reports that Stephen Overby, of Redding, was sentenced Tuesday. He pleaded guilty in February to first-degree sexual assault, risk of injury to a minor and possession of child pornography. The victim in the case was a girl under 13.

Authorities say Overby abused the victim while living in the home of former Redding Board of Education chairwoman Sara Sobel and her husband, Jon.

The Sobels are charged with risk of injury to a minor for allegedly failing to cooperate in a state investigation into the abuse.

Kentucky
Judge kicks lawyer off case for man accused of killing girls

SCOTTSVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A judge has ordered the lawyer for a man charged with killing a 7-year-old girl off the case, citing the defendant’s inability to pay for his legal defense.

The Bowling Green Daily News reports Allen County Circuit Judge Janet Crocker ruled Tuesday on 41-year-old Timothy Madden’s representation Tuesday. Her ruling cited a Kentucky Supreme Court decision that says indigent defendants can access state funds for trial preparation services, but must accept a public defender.

Madden is charged with murder, kidnapping and first-degree rape and sodomy in the November 2015 death of Gabriella “Gabbi” Doolin.

His extended family had retained Travis Lock, but his legal defense fund was exhausted. Lock has said he would continue to represent Madden pro bono, but needed state funds to finance expert examinations and testimony.

The trial set for July 23 has been delayed.

Alabama
No parole for woman in slaying of 13-year-old

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama’s parole board is refusing to free a woman convicted of killing a 13-year-old girl who was abducted from a north Georgia shopping mall.

The board refused parole for 53-year-old Judith Ann Neelley on Wednesday following emotional testimony from relatives of the victim, Lisa Ann Millican.

Calvin Millican says Neelley should have gotten death for killing his sister.

Millican was abducted from a mall in Rome, Georgia, in 1982. She was sexually assaulted, injected with drain cleaner, shot and dumped into a canyon in northeast Alabama.

An attorney for Neelley, Julian McPhillips, says Neelley was “brainwashed” by her older husband into committing the crime.

Neelley became eligible for parole consideration after then-Gov. Fob James commuted her death sentence. She will be sent to Georgia if ever freed in Alabama.

Texas
Lawyer sorry after video negates trooper assault claim

WAXAHACHIE, Texas (AP) — The lawyer for a woman who accused a Texas trooper of sexual assault during a traffic stop has apologized after the release of body camera video that appears to contradict her claims.

Lee Merritt said in a statement Wednesday that he is “sorry for any trouble these claims may have caused.”

The Texas Department of Public Safety released the video late Tuesday.

The nearly two-hour video shows the unidentified trooper questioning the 37-year-old woman early Sunday, arresting her on a DWI charge and processing her at the Ellis County jail, south of Dallas.

Merritt initially claimed the trooper offered to let his client go in exchange for sexual favors. He also said the trooper groped her.

DPS Lt. Lonny Haschel described the claims as “despicable.”

New York
NYPD: Pregnant woman stabbed by boyfriend

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Police Department says a woman who was over five months pregnant was repeatedly stabbed in the midsection by her boyfriend, causing her to lose the fetus.

The NYPD says the 30-year-old woman is expected to survive the Tuesday attack in the Bronx. Her 30-year-old boyfriend has been charged with attempted murder and assault.

Authorities say the woman was able to drag herself to a neighbor’s apartment after the attack to call police. The boyfriend was arrested early Tuesday after surrendering to police.

Police say the man told officers that the stabbing was an accident during a dispute.

Ohio
Lawyers want 2nd look at death sentence for killer of friend

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A condemned killer wants the Ohio Supreme Court to reconsider its decision upholding his death sentence even though a co-defendant who fatally stabbed the victim received a life sentence.

Death row inmate Austin Myers was sentenced to die for the 2014 killing in southwestern Ohio of childhood friend Justin Back during a burglary.

Attorneys for the 22-year-old Myers argue his death sentence is disproportionate because of the life sentence given to co-defendant Tim Mosley.

Myers’ lawyers asked the Supreme Court on Tuesday to reconsider its ruling that a death sentence was appropriate because Myers had a large role in the killing, from planning it to restraining the victim while he was stabbed.

The attorneys say “lopsided” facts about each defendant’s role require life sentences for both.