Federal judge in Seattle orders end to long jail holds for mentally ill
SEATTLE (Reuters) – A U.S. federal judge ordered Washington state on Thursday to end long jail terms for criminal defendants awaiting mental competency exams, after ruling last year that such actions had violated the U.S. Constitution.
Texas officer previously accused of sexual assault shot
(Reuters) – A suspended San Antonio police officer, who was accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman in his marked patrol car in 2013, was shot on Thursday night by a woman during a dispute inside a home, officials said.
Sailor missing for two months rescued off North Carolina coast
(Reuters) – A man missing at sea for 66 days has been rescued in a disabled boat off the North Carolina coast, the U.S. Coast Guard said on Thursday.
Oregon denies money for former first lady’s email release fight
PORTLAND, Ore. (Reuters) – Oregon denied a request by former Governor John Kitzhaber’s fiancee for state funds to pay for a legal fight related to an influence-peddling scandal that resulted in the four-term Democrat’s resignation, officials said on Th…
New York man gets life in prison after rap lyrics used as evidence
NEW YORK (Reuters) – An accused New York City gang member was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday for a slew of violent crimes, including three murders, after being convicted in a trial in which prosecutors used his graphic rap lyrics against him.
American al Qaeda suspect faces U.S. terrorism charges
NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A U.S. citizen accused of training with al Qaeda and conspiring to kill Americans abroad appeared in federal court in New York on Thursday to face terrorism charges.
Two New York City women accused of planning ‘terrorist attack’
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Two New York City women have been arrested and accused of planning to carry out a “terrorist attack” in the United States, according to a federal criminal complaint made public on Thursday.
U.S readies emergency oil train safety measures: source
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Transportation Department is completing work on a package of measures to control oil train dangers before the Obama administration finalizes a national safety plan expected by May, an official with knowledge of the plans…
U.S. jury awards $150 million for Jeep fuel-tank fire death
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A U.S. jury in Georgia on Thursday awarded $150 million to a family that sued Chrysler Group LLC for the 2012 death of their 4-year-old in a fiery crash involving a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a rear fuel tank.
Indianapolis in crisis mode after tourism hit by religious bill
(Reuters) – The rainbow flag, a symbol of gay rights, flies prominently on the Visit Indy website and Indiana’s Republican Governor Mike Pence personally phoned the head of a Seattle company that gathers 56,000 gaming nerds in the heartland each year.
