SOUTH

PROSECUTORS WANT TO ASK JURORS’ RELIGION IN AL-ARIAN RETRIAL

Federal prosecutors want to know the religious background of jurors who take part in a possible retrial of a former Florida college professor accused of terrorism-related charges, Sami Al-Arian, according to a court filing. In December, a jury acquitted Mr. Al-Arian on eight charges, but failed to reach a verdict on nine others. The former University of South Florida professor is accused of being the top representative in America of a terrorist group, Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

In papers filed with a federal court in Tampa on Monday, prosecutors said selection of an impartial jury would be easier if a questionnaire used for the first trial was modified to ask for the religious affiliation of each potential juror and his or her spouse. Prosecutors also want to ask jurors if they consider television news broadcasts to be biased.

The Justice Department has not yet announced a final decision on whether to retry Mr. Al-Arian, who has been jailed since his arrest nearly three years ago. Defense attorneys, Islamic groups, and the Florida chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, have asked prosecutors to drop the case.

– Staff Reporter of the Sun

JUDGE APPROVES $85 MILLION SETTLEMENT IN CHURCH SEX ABUSE CASE

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A judge approved a settlement of up to $85 million yesterday between sexual abuse victims and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington, one of the largest deals the church has reached with American parishioners who were molested by clergy.

The settlement covers 361 victims who claim they were abused over a period of 50 years by priests in a diocese that once included 57 counties across a large swath of Kentucky. Special Judge John Potter said a desire by the Covington Diocese to make reparations to the victims contributed to the settlement.

“Contrary to what might be the case in other dioceses, the court believes that this professed desire is genuine and played a significant role in the diocese’s decision,” Judge Potter wrote in his 15-page ruling.

– Associated Press

MIDWEST

THREE STUDENTS SHOT NEAR CHICAGO HIGH SCHOOL

CHICAGO – Three high school students were shot yesterday morning on a street near their school, and one was in critical condition, officials said.

The shootings happened shortly before 8 a.m. near Carl Schurz High School, Chicago Police spokeswoman Patrice Harper said.

The victims are male students – two freshmen and a sophomore, said Chicago Public Schools spokesman Michael Vaughn.

One was shot in the head and was hospitalized in critical condition, said Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford. The second victim had graze wounds to the head and neck and the third person was shot in the leg.

– Associated Press

NORTHEAST

BAND MANAGER TO PLEAD GUILTY IN RHODE ISLAND NIGHTCLUB FIRE

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The former manager of the heavy metal rock group Great White agreed yesterday to plead guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter stemming from the deadly 2003 nightclub fire.

Superior Court Judge Francis Darigan said Daniel Biechele will serve no more than 10 years in state prison under a deal with prosecutors, sparing him the possibility of many more years behind bars. He is scheduled to enter the plea next Tuesday. Mr. Biechele, 29, who is out on bail, was originally charged with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter for setting the blaze that began when he ignited pyrotechnics during a Great White performance on February 20, 2003, at the Station nightclub in West Warwick.

– Associated Press

WEST

POSTAL WORKERS KILLS FIVE, COMMITS SUICIDE

OLETA, Calif. – A former postal worker who had been put on medical leave for psychological problems shot five people to death at a huge mail-processing center and then killed herself in what was believed to be the nation’s deadliest workplace shooting ever carried out by a woman. The attack Monday night was also the biggest bloodbath at a U.S. postal installation since a massacre 20 years ago helped give rise to the term “going postal.” The rampage – the nation’s first deadly postal shooting in nearly eight years – sent employees running from the sprawling Southern California complex and prompted authorities to warn nearby residents to stay indoors as they searched for the killer.

– Associated Press