National Roundup . . .

Pennsylvania
Man who says ‘evil twin’ robbed stores sentenced
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A man who claimed at trial that his “evil twin” robbed 10 gas stations, convenience and beer stores in eastern Pennsylvania must spend at least 60 years in prison.

The (Allentown) Morning Call reports 34-year-old Steven Felton, of Emmaus, was sentenced to 62 to 124 years on Monday. Lehigh County Judge Kelly Banach said she was offended by Felton’s arrogance.

A jury last month convicted Felton in the 10 robberies in the Lehigh Valley, all of which occurred during the fall of 2012.

Most of the heists were caught on video, which clearly showed Felton’s face as he wielded a pellet gun.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Matthew Falk asked for a long sentence, saying some traumatized clerks are unable to return to work due to Felton’s “reign of terror.”

Ohio
Inspection set of treasure hunter’s seized property 
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A judge says investors in a deep-sea treasure hunt who want answers about where their money went can view 75 boxes of property seized from ex-fugitive Tommy Thompson.

Investors say that could help locate 500 missing gold coins and other assets.

Thompson was found in Florida and pleaded guilty to a criminal contempt charge for refusing to testify about gold he discovered in a historic shipwreck. He’s faced accusations of cheating investors since 1988, when he discovered the ship, which sank off South Carolina.

Federal Judge Algenon Marbley in Ohio has granted investors’ request for a records inspection that could come before Thompson’s October sentencing.

Thompson’s attorney unsuccessfully argued the investors don’t have standing to make the request because they’re not technically victims of his crime of contempt of court.

Maine
Sheriff: Lawyers can keep bras on when entering jail
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Jail workers went too far in telling female lawyers they’d have to remove their underwire bras if they wanted to meet with clients, a sheriff said.

At least two attorneys say they were told they’d have to remove their bras when entering the Cumberland County Jail because they set off the metal detector. The women refused to comply and left.

Sheriff Kevin Joyce said it was never jail policy to turn away attorneys under such circumstances, and he told reporters on Monday that he won’t let it happen again.

“The policy is real clear: no weapons and contraband. It doesn’t say anything about underwire bras,” Joyce said.

One of the attorneys, Amy Fairfield, told the Portland Press Herald: “I appreciate that he recognizes that I shouldn’t have to take off my clothes to see my clients.”

The newspaper, which first reported the flap, said the metal detector policy was drafted by a jail administrator who was hired last year after several security breaches that included inmates escaping from maximum-security cells for sexual trysts and others smuggling drugs into the facility.

The attorneys who were asked to remove their bras requested an apology.

Joyce said Monday that he wasn’t ready to apologize until an investigation was completed into what exactly happened when the women tried to enter the jail.
Fairfield said the sheriff “seems to be speaking out of both sides of his mouth” while trying to placate both the attorneys and support staff.

Minnesota
Legal battle over neutered show dog plays out
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota dog owner says a vengeful breeder who neutered his champion bichon frise without his knowledge should pay damages and return vials of the animal’s frozen semen.

John Wangness says Beau Lemon was neutered in July 2013 without the approval of him and his wife. Beau was the second best of his breed in the nation before his retirement in 2012.

The Star Tribune says the Wangsnesses have filed a lawsuit alleging breeder Vickie Halstead neutered Beau in retaliation for their attempts to breed him twice without her approval.

Wangness wants more than $50,000 in damages and about eight vials of what’s believed to be Beau’s frozen semen, each worth about $3,000.

Halstead’s attorney, Joseph Crosby, says there’s “no factual basis” for the lawsuit’s claims.

Arizona
Council drops plan to only allow Christian prayers
COOLIDGE, Ariz. (AP) — The Coolidge City Council will not pursue a proposal that would allow prayers before their meetings, specifically only Christian prayers.

Members unanimously voted Monday night to back away from the proposal. The council members then unanimously voted to allow any religious group within the city to offer a prayer before a council meeting, according to the Arizona Republic.

“We want to move Coolidge forward,” said Mayor Jon Thompson. “Now we have a legally defensible position and everyone will have a seat at the table.”

The city received widespread criticism last week after it voted to amend a resolution so that it no longer allows prayers from a variety of faiths before council meetings. The amendment was proposed by Councilman Rob Hudelson, a Baptist pastor, who voted to abandon the resolution Monday.

“History will look back on us and say, ‘There is a city council who stood for Christ and Christ alone,’” he said before casting his vote. “For that, we should never be ashamed.”

Attorney Denis Fitzgibbons warned the city was opening itself up to lawsuits by only allowing Christian prayer.

Coolidge Pastor Byron Sanders of Fairhaven Baptist Church asked for the prayer measure that was later narrowed by council members. He attended the Monday night vote and said it was a relief the council decided to return the resolution to its original intent.

“Christianity has always been inclusive,” he said. “Christians settled in America to give everybody an opportunity.”

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision last year in Town of Greece v. Galloway saying communities could not discriminate against minority faiths in allowing prayer before meetings.