National Roundup

New York
Cops: 81-year-old veteran held in motel for 4 years
HIGHLANDS, N.Y. (AP) — A New York man is accused of holding an 81-year-old Marine Corps veteran hostage in a motel for at least four years in order to steal his benefits checks.

Forty-three-year-old Perry Coniglio was arrested Tuesday in his room adjoining the victim’s at a motel in Highlands. The motel is next door to the Hudson Valley town’s police station.

Police say Coniglio used brute force and intimidation to get the elderly and diminished veteran to cooperate with him. Investigators say the victim received three checks every month. The amounts weren’t released.

The victim has been taken to a hospital for evaluation.

Coniglio is being held in jail Thursday on $15,000 bail. It’s unclear if he has an attorney.

The charges against him include grand larceny and unlawful imprisonment.

Massachusetts
Police want Black Lives Matter sign taken down
SOMERVILLE, Mass. (AP) — The mayor of a Massachusetts city has denied a request from police officers that a Black Lives Matter banner be removed from City Hall and replaced with one that says “All Lives Matter.”

The sign above the main entrance to Somerville City Hall has been in place for nearly a year.

Somerville Police Employees Association President Michael McGrath writes in a letter sent Tuesday to Mayor Joseph Curtatone that officers are “deeply troubled” the current banner remains. The letter says it’s “inconceivable” and “demoralizing” that the banner remains, given recent attacks on police across the country.

Curtatone denied the request, saying in a statement that his “unwavering support for our police officers does not and cannot preempt our commitment to addressing systemic racism in our nation.”

Georgia
Jailer accused of using stun gun on restrained inmate
CEDARTOWN, Ga. (AP) — Authorities have arrested a former jail employee accused of using a stun gun on an inmate who was being restrained.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in a news release that authorities arrested 61-year-old Harry Dallas Battle on Wednesday on charges of violation of oath of office, false statement and battery.

The former Polk County jailer is accused of using a stun gun on an inmate July 7 while the inmate was being restrained. The GBI’s statement didn’t say whether the inmate, whom it didn’t identify, was hurt. Battle resigned the next day.

The GBI said its investigation began July 8, after the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office requested the probe.

Battle has been released from jail released on bond. It’s unclear if he has an attorney.

Mississippi
Police chief asked to resign after making Facebook remarks
JONESVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Officials in a Mississippi town have asked the police chief to resign after online comments he made regarding violence against police.

The Natchez Democrat reports that the town council asked for Jonesville Police Chief Skylar Dore’s resignation on Tuesday.

Dore, who is white, recently posted on his personal Facebook page profanity-laced remarks against President Barack Obama following the recent killings of police officers. In his post, Dore called the shooters terrorists who have declared war on police.

Dore has apologized for the comments, saying they came out of frustration.

Jonesville Councilwoman Loria Hollins says the council voted unanimously to have Dore submit his resignation or be relieved of his duties.

Connecticut
Death of infant with Benadryl intoxication ruled a homicide
FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) — The death of a 4-month-old baby at an unlicensed home day care in Connecticut has been ruled a homicide after toxicology reports found high levels of Benadryl in the infant’s system.

Police in Fairfield say they’re investigating the March 22 death of Adam Seagull of Shelton. An autopsy has concluded the baby died from acute diphenhydramine intoxication.

His death was initially ruled an accident from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Deputy Police Chief Chris Lyddy says there had been no signs of trauma and the baby had not been sick.

No criminal charges have been filed. Lyddy says the investigation is ongoing.

Pennsylvania
Woman pleads guilty to punching reporter in face 
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A woman who punched a Telemundo reporter in the face during a live TV broadcast in Philadelphia has apologized, and pleaded guilty to assault.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Wednesday that 38-year-old Waheedah Wilson told a municipal judge she’s apologetic for bashing Iris Delgado’s head and slapping her in the face June 8.
Wilson told the court, “You won’t have to worry about me coming back in here for these problems.”

She received a 60-day jail sentence but has only 19 days left to serve because she has been in jail since June. Wilson was unable to post 10 percent of her $25,000 bail to previously secure her release.

Telemundo said following the attack that it was unprovoked.

Delgado was in court Wednesday but did not speak.

Arkansas
Request for new execution law hearing denied
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas’ highest court has denied a request to reconsider its June ruling upholding the state’s execution secrecy law, but justices issued a stay that prevents the state from setting new execution dates as some inmates appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Arkansas Supreme Court issued an order Thursday denying a rehearing request by attorneys representing nine inmates who challenged the law that requires the Department of Correction to conceal the maker, seller and other information about the drugs. The inmates have argued the law could lead to cruel or unusual punishment and reneges on an earlier pledge by the state to share information.

The order also grants a request to delay putting the ruling into effect so the inmates can appeal the drug protocol to the U.S. Supreme Court.