National Roundup

Pennsylvania Man to remove illuminated cross from yard BALDWIN, Pa. (AP) -- A western Pennsylvania man has decided to take down the 24-foot illuminated cross in his yard that sparked a dispute with his neighbor. Carl Behr says he'll remove the cross from the yard of his Baldwin home saying it was too disruptive. He says he needs to be more humble and take a different approach to spreading his faith. Neighbor Lisa Fera complained to the borough about the cross, saying it shined into her home. The borough issued a citation ordering Behr to remove it but he initially refused. Fera said the problems started after she complained about Behr parking vehicles from his construction business in front of her house. Behr said the cross measures his faith in God. Fera contended a good Christian would respect his neighbors. Oregon Lawsuits filed against Jesuits in Bankruptcy Court PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Attorneys representing a group of people who allege sexual abuse by Jesuit priests have filed 37 lawsuits in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Portland, seeking about $3.1 million. The Oregonian reports that the lawsuits filed late Thursday contend that the order's Oregon Province paid money to various entities before filing for Chapter 11 protection two years ago, and the money actually should be considered part of the order's assets. James Stang, a lawyer representing a creditor's committee that filed the lawsuits, told the newspaper that the suits do not contend the Jesuits were trying to protect their assets from abuse claims. "I don't think this is a hiding issue," Stang said. "It's not illegal. This is what Jesuits do. They support education. That's a fine thing to do, when you're not insolvent." The province filed for Chapter 11 on Feb. 17, 2009, after sex-abuse lawsuits were brought against Jesuit priests. Between 2001 and early 2009, the province settled more than 200 legal claims, paying out $25 million. The order, which covers Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska and Montana, would not comment on the lawsuits, saying in a statement that its affairs were tied up in the Chapter 11 proceedings. The lawsuits were brought against a wide variety of church-related groups. Gonzaga University, a Jesuit school in Spokane, Wash., was named in a suit seeking about $232,000 while Jesuit High School in Beaverton, Ore., was named in another, for nearly $31,000. Ohio Stripper admits guilt in man's SUV drag death HAMILTON, Ohio (AP) -- An exotic dancer accused of killing a customer by running him over in her SUV outside his Ohio home and dragging him a mile has pleaded guilty. Kristina Hensley accepted a plea bargain in Butler County Common Pleas Court on Thursday. The Dayton Daily News reports the 35-year-old Higginsport resident entered guilty pleas to involuntary manslaughter and failure to stop after an accident. Hensley told police Jae Cho touched her inappropriately after she was called to perform a private show at his Monroe home in August and jumped in front of her SUV as she fled. She said she didn't know he was stuck underneath it. Prosecutors say Hensley robbed Cho before running him over. Hensley's trial on charges including murder and aggravated robbery had been scheduled to begin next week. Montana Supreme Court won't allow homicide plea withdrawal KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) -- The Montana Supreme Court has denied a former Bigfork man's request to withdraw his guilty plea for the 2007 shooting death of a Ferndale man, but the high court did order a 10-year weapons enhancement stricken from his sentence. Ronald L. Petersen pleaded guilty to breaking into Clyde Wilson's cabin on Dec. 31, 2007 and shooting Wilson three times. A plea agreement called for a 100-year sentence for deliberate homicide, but District Judge C.B. McNeil added 10 years because Petersen acknowledged using a firearm. Petersen's defense attorneys sought to withdraw his guilty plea because of the weapons enhancement. A District Court judge in Lake County denied the appeal and the Daily Inter Lake reports the Supreme Court upheld that ruling Tuesday while also ordering the weapons enhancement be stricken. Minnesota Attorney for alleged drug dealer booted from court MANKATO, Minn. (AP) -- A racketeering and drug case got heated in a Blue Earth County courtroom, causing the judge to order the defense attorney to leave. District Court Judge Kurt Johnson became irritated Thursday when defense attorney Thomas Dunnwald said he wasn't ready to argue a motion because the prosecutor hadn't turned over all necessary material. It didn't help when Dunnwald forgot to silence his cell phone and it rang in the courtroom. Prosecutor Chris Rovney said he would provide an audio copy of an interview defendant Cedric Berry had with investigators once the sound was enhanced. That caused an outburst from Dunnwald. Johnson then ordered him to leave the courtroom. Berry is facing racketeering and drug charges. The Mankato Free Press says Berry is accused of using his gang connections to sell cocaine. Mississippi County court clerk arrested WOODVILLE, Miss. (AP) -- The Wilkinson County Justice Court office has been closed after the court clerk was charged with extortion. State Auditor Stacey Pickering says court clerk Wanda Faye Fountain of Woodville was arrested Thursday on charges of allegedly taking money in exchange for the improper disposal of traffic citations. Pickering says the money Fountain collected was allegedly not reported to the Wilkinson County Justice Court, and the tickets were not forwarded to the Department of Public Safety to update driving records. Fountain was released on $5,000 bail. No court date has been set. Pickering says the court clerk's office would reopen after the board of supervisors selects an interim staff and new bank accounts set up. Supervisors are to meet Tuesday. "Jesuit High School contends that those claims are completely without merit," a statement by the school said. "Jesuit High School's assets are not at risk in any way due to the Oregon Province's bankruptcy proceeding or this latest claim by the creditors' committee. We will remain a fiscally healthy institution committed to educating young men and women in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition." When the order filed for Chapter 11, it faced more than 150 lawsuits alleging priest abuse. There are now more than 500 people seeking compensation. Stang said some of the lawsuits might be settled out of court. Published: Mon, Feb 21, 2011