National Roundup

Massachusetts Boy in hibachi death found overmedicated QUINCY, Mass. (AP) -- An 8-year-old boy who authorities say was killed by his mother when she lit a hibachi grill in a bedroom of their Massachusetts apartment also had an excessive amount of allergy medicine in his system. Brandon Yang's death certificate says the Quincy third-grader died in January because he was "administered excess medication and exposed to carbon monoxide fumes." The Patriot Ledger of Quincy reports the medication was diphenhydramine, an antihistamine available in many over-the-counter medications. His mother, 39-year-old Li Rong Zhang, is charged with murder in his death, which authorities have said was an attempted murder-suicide. Zhang is being held without bail pending a probable cause hearing. She has undergone a psychiatric evaluation. Her lawyer, who entered a not guilty plea on her behalf, has not commented on the charges. Illinois Ex-cop link ed to torture to begin prison term CHICAGO (AP) -- A former Chicago police commander convicted of lying about the torture of homicide suspects is set to report to federal prison. Jon Burge, the commander of the infamous "Midnight Crew" in the 1970s and 1980s, was sentenced to 4 1/2 years in January after being convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice. Texas Broad gag order issued in sex assault case LIBERTY, Texas (AP) -- A Texas judge has issued a sweeping gag order barring anyone who could be called to testify at the trial of 18 men and boys accused of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl from talking to the news media. Liberty County District Judge Mark Morefield granted the prosecution's request for the gag order during a Tuesday hearing. The order bars the defendants, attorneys and investigators from disseminating information about the upcoming trial. It also bars all potential "witnesses" from discussing the case, including parents, siblings, relatives, and foster parents of the parties involved. Houston Chronicle attorney Joe Larsen objected to the inclusion of unnamed potential "witnesses." He argues that the order is too broad and effectively gags the public from discussing the case. California Feds sue state over Sikh inmate beard treatment SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The Justice Department filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the state of California alleging that a Sikh inmate who refused to trim his beard for religious reasons was unfairly disciplined. Sukhjinder (sook-JIN'-der) Basra has said that guards told him he violated a rule prohibiting inmates from growing facial hair longer than a half inch. As punishment, Basra said he was ordered to perform extra prison duties and spend 10 days confined to his bunk. He said he also lost 30 days of credit for good behavior. Sikhs are required by their religion to wear unshorn hair wrapped in a turban and a beard. The Justice Department's lawsuit, which names Gov. Jerry Brown and the state corrections department, follows the department's recent investigation, which found that Basra wasn't allowed to practice his religion in prison. The federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act protects the religious freedom of people in mental health facilities, state-run nursing homes and prisons. Basra is serving time at the California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo for a drug offense. The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California filed a lawsuit on behalf of Basra against the corrections department on similar grounds last month. Massachusetts 3 men who wore tuxedos sent to prison for beating BOSTON (AP) -- Three men convicted of beating someone to death while wearing tuxedos outside a Boston nightclub have been sentenced to prison. A Suffolk Superior Court judge on Tuesday sentenced 24-year-old Daniel Elk, 30-year-old Johan Garcia and 23-year-old Anthony Villalobos to terms of about four to five years in state prison. The men are from Lynn and Revere. They were convicted last month of involuntary manslaughter and assault charges. They had denied the charges against them. A fourth man pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. The attack occurred after the men had attended a friend's funeral. They were among more than a dozen men clad in black tuxedos and red vests outside the nightclub in August 2009 when a conversation escalated into a fight. Boston resident Jose Alicea died of head injuries days after the beating. He was 22. Pennsylvania Gas-so aked stun gun vi ctim's dad sues state police PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The father of a Pennsylvania man who had soaked himself in gasoline during a domestic dispute is suing the Pennsylvania State Police because his son caught fire and died when a trooper used a stun gun to subdue him. Shawn Mohney's federal civil rights suit filed Tuesday says 24-year-old Levi Mohney suffered burns over 98 percent of his body in March 2009. The encounter happened at a mobile home where Levi Mohney's girlfriend lived in Strattanville, about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Troopers were responding to a report that Levi Mohney had assaulted her. Shawn Mohney's attorney said there was no need to use the electric stun gun because Levi Mohney wasn't armed and wasn't a threat to police. Missouri Media want to open legal guardian case SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- The Springfield News-Leader and KY3 television station have hired a lawyer to argue why the guardianship case of a wealthy Springfield businessman should remain open to the public. A hearing has been set for Friday in Springfield in the case of 92-year-old John Q. Hammons, whose company operates more than 80 hotels in 25 states. Hammons has also been a prominent civic leader in Springfield. He now lives in a Springfield nursing home. Eight of Hammons friends filed a petition in Greene County Circuit Court last year asking probate officials to appoint a legal guardian to oversee Hammons' care. Attorneys in the case are seeking to close the case to the public. The Springfield News-Leader reports that Jean Maneke will represent both media companies. Published: Thu, Mar 17, 2011