Defense asks jurors to spare Jodi Arias’ life in closing arguments
PHOENIX (Reuters) – Defense lawyers pleaded for the life of convicted murderer Jodi Arias on Tuesday as closing arguments began in Arizona in a penalty phase retrial to decide whether the former waitress will be put to death for killing her ex-boyfrien…
U.S. rights group urges federal probe into Mexican farmworker’s slaying
SEATTLE (Reuters) – The American Civil Liberties Union urged the Justice Department on Tuesday to launch an investigation into the fatal police shooting of an unarmed Mexican farmworker in Washington state, saying a local police probe was needlessly fo…
Snowbound campers rescued by helicopter from Grand Canyon
PHOENIX (Reuters) – Twenty campers stranded by a snowstorm on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon were safely rescued by helicopter on Tuesday, local sheriff’s officials said.
Union chief says U.S. refinery strike could spread
HOUSTON (Reuters) – The largest U.S. refinery strike in 35 years could spread if talks over improved safety conditions do not resume soon, United Steelworkers union (USW) International President Leo Gerard said on Tuesday.
Chicago’s Mayor Emanuel hopes to avoid run-off in election
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel will easily take first place in Tuesday’s municipal election, but polls show he may miss the 50 percent mark needed to avoid a run-off in the race to lead the financially challenged, third-largest U.S. cit…
NJ’s Christie strikes tentative teachers’ pension deal
Trenton, NJ (Reuters) – New Jersey Governor Chris Christie struck a deal with the state’s teachers on a “road map” for pension reform while warning of a dire future if other unions do not make similar commitments to cut the cost of workers’ retirement …
Man who confessed to Etan Patz murder was prompted, detective testifies
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The man accused of kidnapping and killing 6-year-old Etan Patz three decades ago was prompted by police on details of the case before he confessed to the crimes, a police detective testified on Tuesday.
Republicans propose declaring Idaho a ‘Christian state’
SALMON, Idaho (Reuters) – Members of a county Republican Party in Idaho are to take up a measure on Tuesday evening that would declare the state a Christian one to bolster what the proposal calls the “Judeo-Christian bedrock of the founding of the Unit…
Colorado man, 87, arrested in slaying of fellow nursing home resident
DENVER (Reuters) – An 87-year-old Colorado man who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease has been arrested for allegedly beating to death a 76-year-old fellow dementia patient at the nursing home where both men lived, authorities said on Tuesday.
Oklahoma House committee advances ‘conversion therapy’ bill
OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) – A bill that would protect an Oklahoma parent’s right to take a child to conversion therapy aimed at eliminating same-sex attraction or gender confusion advanced on Tuesday from a state House of Representatives committee.
