Soldiers, police in riot gear massing near anti-government protest sites in Thai capital

Thai security forces mass near protest sites

BANGKOK – Large groups of soldiers and police in riot gear are massing near to two encampments of anti-government protesters in the Thai capital.
The moves Saturday seemed to indicate that authorities are close to cracking down on the so-called Red Shirt protesters, who have been carrying out disruptive protests … Original article on : Soldiers, police in riot gear massing near anti-government protest sites in Thai capital.

Thai protesters to increase pressure as prime minister’s credibility appears weakened

Emboldened Thai protesters vow to raise pressure

BANGKOK – Emboldened Thai protesters vowed Saturday to ratchet up pressure on the government after their first violent skirmish with soldiers eroded the prime minister’s credibility and exposed concerns about the army’s loyalty.
Police made a failed effort to serve arrest warrants on three protest leaders in the morning, and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Thai protesters to increase pressure as prime minister’s credibility appears weakened.

AP: Letter shows future Pope Benedict XVI resisted defrocking molester priest in California

AP: Future pope stalled Calif. pedophile case

LOS ANGELES – Four years after a California priest and convicted child molester asked to be defrocked, his bishop pleaded with the future Pope Benedict XVI to remove the man from the priesthood. Then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger replied, urging caution.
“Consider the good of the Universal Church,” Ratzinger wrote in a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Parents protesting school furloughs at Hawaii governor’s office warned they face arrest

Parents issued citations at Hawaii furlough sit-in

HONOLULU – Parents staging a sit-in at Gov. Linda Lingle’s office to protest school furloughs were issued trespassing citations Friday evening and warned they face arrest if they try to resume their protest during the night next week.
The size of the sit-in has ebbed and flowed since Wednesday, spurred …. Original source  : Parents protesting school furloughs at Hawaii governor’s office warned they face arrest.

Police identify 21 women among photos released after Calif. serial killer’s trial

Police ID 21 women in serial killer’s photos

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Huntington Beach police have identified 21 women who appear in photos found in a convicted serial killer’s storage locker.
But detectives are still seeking the identity of more than 100 other females – and at least two young men – who posed for Rodney Alcala …. Source article  : Police identify 21 women among photos released after Calif. serial killer’s trial.

Bihar traders to down shutters by 9 pm

This is self-explanatory.
In a major blow to the ruling NDA government’s credibility, the trading community members in Bihar have now decided to down their shutters by 9 pm, angry at the rising crime graph and the frequent murders of the businessmen.

“We have decided to down our shutters by 9 pm sharp and have formally communicated …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Bihar traders to down shutters by 9 pm.

Jury finds Ala. evangelist guilty of murdering wife, storing body in freezer

Preacher convicted of killing wife, freezing body

MOBILE, Ala. – An Alabama evangelist who terrorized his family while impressing audiences at revivals was convicted Friday of murdering his wife and storing her body in a freezer for years.
People who heard Anthony Hopkins’ sermons in rural towns around the South sometimes called him a psychic or even … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Jury finds Ala. evangelist guilty of murdering wife, storing body in freezer.

Former ‘Survivor’ producer freed from detention in wife’s death, but can’t leave Mexico

Ex-’Survivor’ producer barred from leaving Mexico
CANCUN, Mexico – The producer of “Pimp My Ride” and formerly of “Survivor” is barred from leaving Mexico while authorities investigate the death of his wife whose body was found in the sewer of a Cancun resort, a state official said Friday.
Bruce Beresford-Redman was released from custody early … Read : Former ‘Survivor’ producer freed from detention in wife’s death, but can’t leave Mexico.

Country singer-songwriter Billy Joe Shaver acquitted in shooting outside Texas bar

Country singer Shaver acquitted in Texas shooting

WACO, Texas – Texas country singer-songwriter Billy Joe Shaver has been acquitted of aggravated assault in the 2007 shooting of a man in a bar parking lot.
Jurors took two hours Friday to decide. Shaver had testified that he acted in self-defense when he shot Billy Coker outside Waco on … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Country singer-songwriter Billy Joe Shaver acquitted in shooting outside Texas bar.

LA court grants temporary custody of children to parents of producer suspected of killing wife

Producer’s parents get temp custody of children
LOS ANGELES – A court has granted temporary custody of the children of a reality show producer and his deceased wife to the children’s grandparents.
Los Angeles Superior Court spokesman Allan Parachini says a judge granted temporary custody to the grandparents during a hearing Friday. He did not … Original article on : LA court grants temporary custody of children to parents of producer suspected of killing wife.

Los Angeles police identify suspect in restaurant shooting that left 4 dead

LA police ID suspect in cafe killings
LOS ANGELES – A man who opened fire in a North Hollywood restaurant and killed four people following a dispute during a party last week remained at large Friday, Los Angeles police said.

The suspect was identified at an afternoon news conference as Nerses Arthur Galstyan, a 28-year-old Armenian national. … Read : Los Angeles police identify suspect in restaurant shooting that left 4 dead.

Tucson man who robbed 9 businesses in 9-day crime spree is sentenced to 12 life prison terms

Ariz man gets 12 life prison terms for 9 robberies

TUCSON, Ariz. – An Arizona man with 16 prior felony convictions has been sentenced to 12 life sentences for robbing nine businesses over a nine-day span in 2007.
A Pima County Superior Court judge on Friday ran each of Vincent A. Powell’s sentences concurrently to each other, …. Read the original article  : Tucson man who robbed 9 businesses in 9-day crime spree is sentenced to 12 life prison terms.

Vatican: Ratzinger told Calif. bishop to ensure priest didn’t abuse while defrocking studied

Vatican offers version of Calif. priest defrocking

LOS ANGELES – The Vatican’s lawyer says then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger told a California bishop to make sure a priest with a history of sexually molesting children didn’t abuse while the church worked to defrock him.
Attorney Jeffrey Lena was responding to a 1985 letter obtained by The Associated Press on … Read more : Vatican: Ratzinger told Calif. bishop to ensure priest didn’t abuse while defrocking studied.

Defense lawyers take aim on plea deal received by witness in KB Home stock backdating case

Defense blasts witness plea deal in KB Home case

LOS ANGELES – Defense lawyers took aim Friday on the credibility of a witness who pleaded guilty to conspiracy in a deal with prosecutors then testified during the stock backdating trial of former KB Home chief Bruce Karatz.
In closing arguments, attorneys for Karatz sought to portray former …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Official: Los Angeles police identify suspect in restaurant shooting that left 4 dead

Official: LA police ID suspect in cafe killings

LOS ANGELES – Police have identified a suspect in a shooting at a North Hollywood restaurant that left four dead, a law enforcement official said Friday.
The suspect, Nerses Galstyan, remains at large and is also wanted on a federal indictment for weapons charges, said the official, who was …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Official: Los Angeles police identify suspect in restaurant shooting that left 4 dead.

Case of Dolphins DE Randy Starks resolved, charges reduced to misdemeanor traffic violation

Case against Dolphins DE Starks resolved
MIAMI – The case against Miami Dolphins defensive end Randy Starks has been resolved with the charges being reduced to a misdemeanor traffic violation.

Court papers show Starks will pay a $219 fine and take eight hours of mandatory traffic classes. He originally faced a felony charge of aggravated battery against … Original source on Gaea Times at : Case of Dolphins DE Randy Starks resolved, charges reduced to misdemeanor traffic violation.

Ex-NBA star Isaiah Rider arrested in Phoenix suburb in alleged assault of fiance

Ex-NBA player Isaiah Rider arrested in Arizona

PHOENIX – Police say former NBA player Isaiah Rider has been arrested near Phoenix on suspicion of assaulting his fiance and reneging on a $150 cab fare.
Police say the 39-year-old Rider was taken into custody Thursday after an officer spotted him driving erratically in a vehicle with three small …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Fla. prosecutor to determine whether to charge Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes in Orlando

Fla. prosecutors reviewing case against Holmes

ORLANDO, Fla. – Prosecutors are reviewing the case against Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes, who is accused of throwing a glass at a woman.
Orlando Police spokeswoman Sgt. Barbara Jones says findings of its investigation were submitted Friday to the Orange-Osceola State Attorney’s Office for a review and decision on whether … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Fla. prosecutor to determine whether to charge Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes in Orlando.

Ex-priest charged with raping kids in Bolivia eludes justice after returning home to Uruguay

Uruguayan ex-priest avoids justice on rape charges

LA PAZ, Bolivia – A Catholic priest who fled home to Uruguay and was defrocked after a nun accused him of raping three children in Bolivia has been living with his family for more than a year – with the full knowledge of Uruguayan church officials – despite an …. Source article  : Ex-priest charged with raping kids in Bolivia eludes justice after returning home to Uruguay.

Defendant pleads guilty in deal with prosecutors in Javon Walker robbery case in Las Vegas

Defendant pleads guilty in Javon Walker robbery

LAS VEGAS – One of two defendants pleaded guilty Friday as part of a deal with prosecutors in the robbery of former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker after a night of Las Vegas club-hopping almost two years ago.
Arfat Abdo Fadel pleaded guilty to robbery, second-degree kidnapping and conspiracy …. Original source  : Defendant pleads guilty in deal with prosecutors in Javon Walker robbery case in Las Vegas.