KX News: death penalty

Update on the latest news, sports, business and entertainment:...

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:45:00 GMT

Firefighting vessels are battling the flames from an oil rig that exploded and caught fire today in the Gulf of Mexico off the Louisiana coast. The Coast Guard says an oil sheen, about 100 feet wide and a mile long, has been spotted near the pla

Death penalty sought in Seattle police shooting

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:26:00 GMT

A prosecutor says he'll seek the death penalty against the man accused of killing a Seattle police officer on Halloween. Christopher Monfort has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the shooting death of Officer Timothy Brenton. Ki

California fights to resume state executions

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:37:00 GMT

California officials are moving to resume executing death-row inmates as soon as September, prompting a judge to rule that a 3-year-old death penalty ban remains in effect. Prosecutors point to new, recently approved procedures for lethal inject

Federal judge denies appeal for death row inmate

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:21:00 GMT

A federal judge has denied an appeal by death row inmate Cal Coburn Brown, who is scheduled to be executed Sept. 10 in Washington state. Brown was sentenced to the death penalty for torturing and killing a woman in 1991. He has challenged

Va. inmate who sought death penalty rescinds plea

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 05:54:00 GMT

A Virginia inmate who pleaded guilty to killing his cellmate and vowed to kill again unless he was sentenced to death has rescinded his plea and will go to trial next year. Robert Gleason Jr. pleaded not guilty Tuesday and asked for a jury tria

South Dakota at 5 a.m.

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:15:00 GMT

Please send stories of state or regional interest by electronic carbon, by fax at 605-332-3931 or e-mail to apsiouxfalls(at)ap.org. Technical problems may be reported to 800-552-7252. AP stories, along with the photos that accompany them, can be

Man hangs self days after death sentence lifted

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:42:00 GMT

A 70-year-old California inmate who had just had his death sentence lifted has hanged himself in his cell less than a week after the reprieve. San Quentin State Prison spokesman Lt. Sam Robinson said that a guard found George Smithey on Saturday

Ohio trial in fire deaths of 9 off until Jan. 5

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:23:00 GMT

A trial delay has been granted for an Ohio man facing a possible death penalty in a fire that killed a mother and eight children at a birthday sleepover in 2005. The U.S. attorney's office in Cleveland said Monday that Judge Solomon Oliver infor

Here is the latest South Dakota news from The Associated Press...

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:27:00 GMT

Alexander Salgado has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the killing of Jasmine Guevara of Mitchell last fall. Salgado who could have faced the death penalty if he'd been convicted at trial today changed his plea

South Dakota at 1:30 p.m.

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:46:00 GMT

Suspect in SD teen's death expected to change plea

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:26:00 GMT

A Mexican man suspected in the killing of a South Dakota teenager is due in court Monday for a change-of-plea hearing. Alexander Salgado faces a charge of first-degree murder in the death of 16-year-old Jasmine Guevara, whose body was found Nov.

SMU finds new life under passhappy June Jones

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 05:12:00 GMT

SMU coach June Jones has pulled off quite an encore. He has followed his record-setting turnaround at Hawaii a decade ago with an equally improbable revival of the Mustangs, who endured a quarter-century of losing after the only "death penalty"

Latest South Dakota news, sports, business and entertainment:...

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 23:01:00 GMT

Environmental groups say power plant coal ash dumps in North Dakota and South Dakota are polluting groundwater within a few miles of drinking water wells. The groups want the federal Environmental Protection Agency to regulate coal ash disposal.

Latest South Dakota news, sports, business and entertainment:...

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:13:00 GMT

Hail Asks for Venue Change

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:08:00 GMT

The Berthold man charged with Double-A Felony Murder in the death of his ex-wife was in court again today. David Hail and his attorney Tom Gunderson asked for a change of venue - arguing several reported outbursts by Hail in his first court appearance,

Fugitive charged with killing wife and her mother

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:51:00 GMT

California authorities say an escaped convict accused of molesting his niece has been charged with killing his wife and mother-in-law and putting their bodies through a staged car crash. Prosecutors say 57-year-old Michael Eugene Richardson coul

Suspect expected to change plea in SD teen's death

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:56:00 GMT

A Mexican man is expected to enter a new plea to a murder charge in the killing of a South Dakota teenager. Alexander Salgado previously pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder of 16-year-old Jasmine Guevara, whose body was found Nov. 10 i

Swiss death penalty campaign terminated

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 05:47:00 GMT

A group in Switzerland hasn't given a reason for ending its campaign to reinstate the death penalty. The "Committee for the Death Penalty" stopped the effort today, one day after getting government permission to collect signatures for a referend

Latest South Dakota news, sports, business and entertainment:...

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:13:00 GMT

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe is tackling its reservation housing shortage by becoming its own builder. Tribal officials on Tuesday showcased the new 33,600-square-foot Ojinjintka Housing Development Corporation plant to U.S. Housing and Urban Develop

Suspect charged in Washington state girl's slaying

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:13:00 GMT

A prosecutor in Washington state has charged an 18-year-old Puyallup man with aggravated murder in the slaying of a 16-year-old girl with developmental disabilities. [[kxtopic:pierce-county-nd:t[Pierce County]:t]] prosecutor Mark Lindquist says T

SD shooting suspect has psychological evaluation

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 05:47:00 GMT

A Blunt woman who has pleaded not guilty to murdering her husband has undergone a psychological evaluation. Defense attorney Brad Schreiber says results should be available in about a month. Judge Lori Wilbur has scheduled an Oct. 4 status heari

U.S. troops in Iraq below 50,000...Train disruption...Death penalty...

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 02:03:00 GMT

The number of U.S. troops in Iraq has fallen below 50,000 for the first time since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. That number also comes ahead of the end-of-the-month deadline set by President Barack Obama. Gen. Ray Odierno says, We've met our goal."

More primary balloting...Drawdown under 50,000 in Iraq...

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:12:00 GMT

More primary elections are on tap today and establishment candidates are said to have the edge over the outsiders. Republican Sens. John McCain and Lisa Murkowski are poised to win bitter primaries in Arizona and Alaska against tea-party-backed candi

Official: SomaliAmerican to go on trial in Yemen

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:37:00 GMT

A security official says an American of Somali descent will go on trial next month over the killing of a Yemeni soldier and the wounding of another during a failed escape attempt from detention. If convicted, 26-year-old Sharif Mobley of New Jer

Update on the latest news, sports, business and entertainment:...

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:37:00 GMT

It's probably not going to be a pretty picture in the morning for passengers traveling in New York City and its suburbs on the nation's largest commuter train system. The Long Island Rail Road says there will be significant schedule changes and

Guilty plea at LewisMcChord in soldier killings

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:27:00 GMT

The Army says a soldier accused of killing two fellow soldiers and kidnapping their baby pleaded guilty in Washington state to murder and kidnapping charges to avoid a possible death penalty. Joint Base Lewis-McChord spokeswoman Catherine Caruso

Jury deadlocks; 2 get life in Pa. officer's death

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:37:00 GMT

Two men convicted in the murder of a Philadelphia police officer have been spared the death penalty after jurors deadlocked over whether they deserved capital punishment or life in prison without parole. Forty-one-year-old Levon Warner and 35-ye

Judge's reprimand in death penalty case stands

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:17:00 GMT

The Texas Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal from the state's highest criminal court judge, who wants a reprimand for her handling of an execution-day appeal revoked. Judge Sharon Keller had appealed the "public warning" the State Commi

Husband indicted in Ohio marriage counselor death

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 09:31:00 GMT

The husband of an Ohio marriage counselor has been indicted on aggravated murder charges in her slaying and faces the death penalty. The Cuyahoga County prosecutor's office says 38-year-old Maurice Lyons of Cleveland also was indicted Monday on

'Grim Sleeper' suspect faces arraignment in LA

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 05:26:00 GMT

A South Los Angeles man accused of being the so-called "Grim Sleeper" who killed 10 women is set to be arraigned. Lonnie Franklin Jr. is due in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Monday morning to answer to counts of murder and attempted murd

Samoa prosecutor to seek death penalty in shooting

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:33:00 GMT

The prosecution plans to seek the death penalty if a man accused of killing a police officer in American Samoa is convicted of first-degree murder. The U.S. territory hasn't witnessed an execution in more than 50 years. Siaumau Siaumau Jr.

Latest South Dakota news, sports, business and entertainment:...

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 04:51:00 GMT

After easing for four months, the nation's economic stress worsened in June because more bankruptcies in the West and foreclosures outside the Sun Belt outweighed lower unemployment. Stress conditions continued to be lightest in the Northern Pl

Suspect in SD slaying is illegal immigrant

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 03:06:00 GMT

The prosecution of a man who could face the death penalty if convicted of killing a South Dakota teenager might be complicated by his Mexican citizenship. Authorities say 21-year-old Alexander Salgado was working illegally in the U.S. when 16-ye

Dispersant use defended...SoCal taxpayers on the hook for Bell...

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 18:56:00 GMT

BP and the government's oil spill point man are taking issue with congressional investigators who say EPA limits on the use of dispersants in the Gulf were ignored. Meanwhile, BP engineers may begin the process Monday evening of trying to plug the

Italian group says executions on the rise in Iraq

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 06:22:00 GMT

An Italian anti-death penalty group says Iraq is now among the world's top executioners for the first time since the 2003 fall of Saddam Hussein after the number of executions in the country rose dramatically last year. A report released Saturda

Iranian sentenced to stoning thanks her backers

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:23:00 GMT

Supporters say an Iranian woman sitting on death row for adultery has sent a message from prison thanking her international backers for working to save her life. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani was condemned to death by stoning after she was convicte

Texas man gets death penalty for beheading 3 kids

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:06:00 GMT

A jury has sentenced a south Texas man to death after convicting him of beheading his common law wife's three children in 2003. Prosecutors had sought a death sentence for John Allen Rubio, who killed three children under the age of four in a wi

2 men convicted of murder in Philly officer death

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:04:00 GMT

A Philadelphia jury has convicted two men of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a police officer. Jurors announced Wednesday that they found 41-year-old Levon Warner and 35-year-old Eric Floyd guilty on all counts in the May 2008 death

Jury to announce verdict in Philly cop killing

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:54:00 GMT

A Philadelphia jury has reached a verdict in the trial of two men charged in the fatal shooting of a city police officer. The verdict is expected to be read Wednesday afternoon. Jurors began deliberating Monday after four weeks of testimony

Man pleads not guilty in Beverly Hills stabbing

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:41:00 GMT

A man accused of fatally stabbing a movie producer's son at a Beverly Hills home has pleaded not guilty to murder. Scott Barker entered the plea Monday in Superior Court. He could face the death penalty if convicted. Prosecutors say Barker

Jury finds Texas man guilty of beheading children

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:13:00 GMT

A jury has found a south Texas man guilty of capital murder for beheading his common-law wife's three children in 2003. The Hidalgo County jury deliberated for about three hours Monday before returning its verdict. It was the second trial for 2

Suspect in killing of Conn. teen charged in court

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:41:00 GMT

A 19-year-old Connecticut man has been charged with murder in the death of a teenager at a one-time religious attraction in Waterbury. Francisco Cruz faces charges including capital felony that carries the possibility of the death penalty in the

Man pleads not guilty in Calif. beach house deaths

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 09:24:00 GMT

A not guilty plea has been entered on behalf of a 20-year-old man accused of murdering a couple and their unborn child in their Southern California beachfront home. A public defender for Joshua Graham Packer entered the plea Monday in Ventura Co

Judge mulls arguments in Wyoming death row case

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 07:32:00 GMT

A federal judge is considering whether to force Wyoming to provide records to lawyers representing the state's only death row inmate as part of the condemned man's federal appeal. Lawyers for Dale Wayne Eaton and the Wyoming Attorney General's

Firearms experts under fire in SD murder case

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:51:00 GMT

Attorneys in the Ethan Johns murder case sought to discredit the other side's firearms expert at a motions hearing Thursday because their theories and opinions could be used in next month's trial. The 21-year-old Johns is accused of killing a de

Latest South Dakota news, sports, business and entertainment:...

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:13:00 GMT

Prosecutors have decided to pursue the death penalty for a man accused of killing a South Dakota teenager. Attorney General Marty Jackley and Hanson County state's attorney Jim Davies say they've filed notice of intent to request capitol punishm

Attorneys want to block SD jailhouse conversations

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:23:00 GMT

Attorneys for Ethan Johns want to keep jailhouse conversations from being introduced at his trial on charges he murdered a Turner County deputy sheriff. They said at a hearing Wednesday that information provided by two inmates was illegally obta

State to seek death penalty in SD teen's killing

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:41:00 GMT

Documents: Ore. teen says he raped 5yearold girl

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:06:00 GMT

Court documents say a 16-year-old boy told detectives that he suffocated a 5-year-old Oregon girl after she awoke to him sexually abusing her. Dustin Wallace was arraigned Monday on rape and murder charges in the death of Sahara Dwight. Although

Learning the risks...More U.S. deaths...Officers in court...

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:03:00 GMT

The White House says it just wants to know about the possible risks, before BP goes ahead with pressure tests on a new, tighter cap over the blown-out oil well in the Gulf of Mexico. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says today's request for BP to h

Update on the latest news, sports, business and entertainment:...

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:03:00 GMT

Will capping effort proceed?...Officers in court...Hard to...

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 07:04:00 GMT

A BP executive says there's no guarantee that a plan to temporarily cap a gushing oil well will go ahead, after the federal government questioned whether it will make the leak worse. BP Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles says the company is trying

3 officers plead not guilty in Katrina shootings

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 06:22:00 GMT

Three of the officers charged in the shooting deaths of two unarmed residents on the Danziger Bridge in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath have entered not guilty pleas. Sgts. Robert Gisevius and Kenneth Bowen and Officer Anthony Villavaso made their

Tenn. governor commutes death sentence of woman

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 05:33:00 GMT

Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen has commuted the death sentence of a woman convicted of hiring a man to kill her husband. The governor's move Wednesday changes Gaile Owens' sentence to life in prison. She could be eligible for parole in 2012.

Latest South Dakota news, sports, business and entertainment:...

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 04:51:00 GMT

Sen. John Thune says he will oppose Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. The South Dakota Republican says Kagan's background in academia is impressive, but he questions whether she can serve as an impartial justice. Thune says he thinks Kaga

Motions hearing set in murder case

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 23:22:00 GMT

Issues involving the death penalty and jury selection will be argued by attorneys at a motions hearing Wednesday in the Ethan Johns' murder case. The 21-year-old is charged with killing Turner County Deputy Sheriff Chad Mechels in March 2009. Jo

Gulf progress report...Death penalty for terror suspects...Bomb...

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 02:52:00 GMT

Oil is spewing unchecked from BP's ruptured well in the Gulf of Mexico. But officials say progress on fitting a tighter cap on the wellhead is ahead of expectations. The new cap is expected to form a perfect seal over the leak and capture oil of the

Holder raises question on Sept. 11 death penalty

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 01:21:00 GMT

Attorney General Eric Holder says there's a real question about whether a terrorist suspect such as alleged Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed can face the death penalty if he were to plead guilty before a military commission. Holder pro

Latest South Dakota news, sports, business and entertainment:...

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 20:13:00 GMT

A state survey estimates that hunters who used South Dakota's Walk-In Areas last fall boosted the state's economy by at least $15 million. Larry Gigliotti of the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department says hunters who used the more than 1.

Here is the latest South Dakota news from The Associated Press...

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:27:00 GMT

Should a city manager run Mitchell? Residents will get to decide that question this November. Supporters say a city manager would provide professional leadership. But those who favor having an elected mayor in charge question the cost of a city man

Johns' lawyers challenge death penalty

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 04:51:00 GMT

Attorneys for Ethan Johns want a judge to declare South Dakota's death penalty unconstitutional. The 21-year-old Johns is charged with killing Turner County Deputy Sheriff Chad Mechels (MEHK'-uhls) last year. Prosecutors will ask for the death p

Latest South Dakota news, sports, business and entertainment:...

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 04:51:00 GMT

Tour boat sinks...Calif. quake...Actor wins court battle...

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:03:00 GMT

The search has been scaled back because of darkness, but two boats are still looking for two passengers from a sightseeing boat that went down in the Delaware River in Philadelphia. Thirty-five other people were rescued. The amphibious "duck boat" de

Arrest made in LA 'Grim Sleeper' serial killings

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:13:00 GMT

Police in Los Angeles think they've nabbed the "Grim Sleeper" serial killer. But one of his neighbors says the suspect, Lonnie Franklin Jr., is a good guy and he doesn't believe Franklin's a killer. District Attorney Steve Cooley says Franklin w

Two missing after boat accident...Dow above 10,000...Spain in...

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:52:00 GMT

Two people are unaccounted for after a sightseeing boat was hit by a barge in the Delaware River in Philadelphia. The boat was carrying 35 passengers and two crew members when it was hit and overturned. Coast Guard, police and fire crews worked to re

Man held in LA 'Grim Sleeper' killings

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:31:00 GMT

Los Angeles authorities have identified a man arrested in the city's "Grim Sleeper" serial killings. Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley says Lonnie Franklin Jr. will be charged Wednesday with 10 counts of murder, one count of atte

Judge disallows taped confession in slayings case

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 06:57:00 GMT

A judge says he won't allow a videotaped confession that aired on the crime reality show "First 48" to be used at the trial of a Memphis man accused of killing six people. Judge James Beasley said Tuesday he disallowed the confession widely seen

Texas executes killer of Houstonarea nurse

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:47:00 GMT

Convicted killer Michael James Perry has been executed for gunning down a nurse nine years ago at her suburban Houston home and stealing her red convertible. The 28-year-old Perry was put to death by lethal injection Thursday. He became the 14th

Man will stand trial for deadly S. Calif. wildfire

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 05:05:00 GMT

A man charged with setting a deadly wildfire that destroyed more than 1,000 homes has been ruled mentally competent to stand trial in San Bernardino County. The judge made his ruling for Rickie Lee Fowler on Wednesday, based on evaluations by me

Rare NYC death penalty sentence overturned

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 06:36:00 GMT

A federal appeals court has tossed out the death penalty sentence given to the gunman who killed two undercover New York City police officers. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that Ronell Wilson must be re-sentenced for kill

DA: Disabled Pa. torture victim was also raped

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 04:16:00 GMT

A prosecutor says a mentally disabled Pennsylvania woman who was tortured and killed was raped in the process. Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck filed court documents Tuesday supporting his decision to pursue the death penalty aga

Kagan: Death penalty's validity has been settled

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:16:00 GMT

Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan is reaffirming her support for the death penalty, saying its constitutionality is "established law." Under questioning by Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin at her confirmation hearing, Kagan says she has a different out

Monitoring Alex...FBI: Russian spies...Don't ask, don't tell...

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:17:00 GMT

Forecasters say Tropical Storm Alex will likely reach hurricane strength Tuesday. Hurricane warnings have been issued for the coasts of south Texas and northeastern Mexico. The storm's eye is moving away from the oil spill area off the Louisiana coas

Trucker gets life term for attacks on 2 Pa. women

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:14:00 GMT

A former trucker serving at least 75 years in prison for knife attacks on women in New Jersey and Massachusetts will spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty to similar charges in Pennsylvania. Forty-five-year-old Adam Leroy La

Man charged in Pa. stabbing rampage that killed 4

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 08:56:00 GMT

A 36-year-old man has been charged with fatally stabbing four people in a house in eastern Pennsylvania. Police charged Michael Eric Ballard with four counts of homicide for Saturday's rampage in Northampton. Authorities said Sunday that Ba

Court allows new argument in Alabama killing

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 03:41:00 GMT

The Supreme Court says an Alabama death row inmate can use a new argument to try to keep from being executed for shooting a county sheriff. The high court on Thursday said Billy Joe Magwood can argue that Alabama retroactively changed the law to

Rare innocence hearing for Ga. death row inmate

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 03:06:00 GMT

A Georgia death row inmate is getting a rare chance to argue his innocence before a federal judge nearly 20 years after his conviction for slaying an off-duty Savannah police officer. Troy Anthony Davis's hearing was set to start Wednesday in U.

Life term imposed for daughter's death in Pa. cold

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:42:00 GMT

A western Pennsylvania man convicted of leaving his 2-year-old daughter out in the snow to die has been sentenced to life in prison. Prosecutors say 26-year-old William Page left Nyia (NY'-uh) Page in a playground near their home outside Pittsbu

(Following Advance for Use Tuesday, June 29)

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 03:34:00 GMT

Today in History Today is Tuesday, June 29, the 180th day of 2010. There are 185 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On June 29, 1910, composer-lyricist Frank Loesser (LEH'-suhr), who wrote the songs for such

URGENT

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 03:13:00 GMT

Aging Kentucky con man Edward W. Edwards has been sentenced to two life terms in prison for killing a Wisconsin couple 30 years ago. The sentence in Jefferson County Circuit Court Monday comes just 10 days after Edwards pleaded guilty to killing