Court Roundup

New York Prince sued by law firm for $700K in legal fees NEW YORK (AP) -- A New York City law firm says Prince owes more than $700,000 in legal fees for services that included helping to settle financial obligations to his former wife. The firm is suing the "Purple Rain" singer in state Supreme Court in Manhattan. Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler says in a lawsuit filed Tuesday the musician failed to pay it for handling cases in Ireland, California and New York. The law firm also says it wasn't paid for representing him in his divorce. It says he has paid $125,000. A telephone call to Prince's Paisley Park Enterprises Inc. in Minnesota went unanswered Tuesday night. The 52-year-old singer is best known for 1980s hits such as "When Doves Cry" and "1999." His full name is Prince Rogers Nelson. California Man pleads not guilty in Pomona street race deaths POMONA, Calif. (AP) -- Los Angeles County prosecutors say the driver of a car involved in a Pomona street race that left three people dead has pleaded not guilty to several felony charges. The district attorney's office says 28-year-old Roque Torres entered not guilty pleas Tuesday in Superior Court to three counts of second-degree murder, three counts of vehicular manslaughter and one count of leaving the scene of an accident in the December 2002 crash. Torres is accused of racing his 2002 Acura RSX against a 1993 Honda that smashed into a van, killing three people inside the Honda. Police say witnesses told officers the cars hit speeds of about 100 miles per hour. Prosecutors say the case was unsolved for nearly eight years until police received an anonymous tip in October. Nevada Jury convicts parents in Las Vegas murder trial LAS VEGAS (AP) -- A Las Vegas couple has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of their 4-year-old special needs son. The Las Vegas Sun reports a Las Vegas jury also convicted Stanley and Colleen Rimer on Tuesday of multiple counts of child abuse and neglect involving their other children. The couple is scheduled to be sentenced on May 31. The Rimers had faced second-degree murder charges, which would have carried a sentence of 10 years to life in prison. Their son, Jason Rimer, was found dead June 9, 2008, after authorities say he was left in the family's SUV for 17 hours. The coroner's office ruled the child died of environmental heat stress. The Rimers have said they thought one of their other children removed the boy from the vehicle. Idaho Legal loss brings bankruptcy talk in Boise County BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Officials in Boise County say they may file for bankruptcy in the wake of losing a federal lawsuit and getting hit with a $4 million judgment in the case. Commissioners in the southwestern Idaho county say filing for Chapter 9 protection may be the only way to continue delivering services to residents and keeping their legal fight alive. In December, a federal jury sided with a developer seeking to build a 72-bed treatment center and school for teens with mental illness and substance abuse issues. The jury concluded the county violated the federal Fair Housing Act by creating a series of unreasonable expectations for the developer. The county appealed and officials are meeting with the developer to reach a settlement. Commissioners passed a resolution Monday stating bankruptcy may be the only viable option. Illinois Man found competent for trial in Ill. killing EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) -- A registered sex offender who identifies himself as "King Zeus" has been found mentally fit to stand trial on charges that accuse him of assaulting and killing a 73-year-old Alton woman in her home. A Madison County judge declared 50-year-old Perry Henderson mentally competent Tuesday after the judge reviewed a psychologist's evaluation. Henderson is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated sexual assault, home invasion, burglary and robbery in the Dec. 3 death of Sandra Wood. In court Tuesday, the judge asked the defendant if he was Perry Henderson. Henderson replied, "My name is King Zeus. I'm a Scepter Nine blueblood." Henderson has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail. Published: Thu, Mar 3, 2011