National Roundup

Idaho Biologists: Bounty-collecting an gler caught in lie SANDPOINT, Idaho (AP) -- A Coeur d'Alene man has been ordered to pay more than $6,800 in restitution for defrauding a bounty program that pays anglers who catch trout in northern Idaho's Lake Pend Oreille (POND or-RAY'). Christopher Pluntz pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor theft charge Wednesday as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. The Coeur d'Alene Press reports that Idaho Fish and Game managers thought something was fishy last year after the 44-year-old angler turned in 443 rainbow trout heads and collected a $15 bounty on each. Investigators examined the heads and determined that the rainbow trout belonged to a coastal variety, not the type found in Lake Pend Oreille. The bounty program aims to help the lake's struggling kokanee trout population. New York DA: Mass. man accused of Fenway Park theft RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (AP) -- Authorities in New York say a Massachusetts man is accused of stealing Boston Red Sox memorabilia from Fenway Park. Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota says the suspect, Jamie Pritchard Holland, has been charged with criminal possession of stolen property that was taken during a burglary at the Boston ballpark. It was not immediately clear why the arrest happened on New York's Long Island. Investigators recovered a home plate, Red Sox uniforms, a first base glove used by Kevin Youkilis, cleats worn by second baseman Dustin Pedroia and other team property. It wasn't immediately clear if Holland had a lawyer. He was arrested May 4. On Monday, a longtime clubhouse manager for the New York Mets was charged with stealing team property valued at more than $2.3 million. Florida Authorities: Man killed self by setting fire WESTON, Fla. (AP) -- Authorities say a South Florida man committed suicide by dousing himself with gasoline and then lighting a fire. The Broward Sheriff's Office identified the man Wednesday as 65-year-old Armando Barrientos of Weston. His body was found outside his first-floor apartment after other residents reported a fire early Tuesday in the building. A gas container and lighter were found nearby. A neighbor tried to put out the fire with a nearby hose. Authorities say Barrientos had become despondent after losing a job. They say he had recently moved to South Florida and they were attempting to notify relatives. No other details were available. California Man admits driv ing 51 miles with wife on van hood STOCKTON, Calif. (AP) -- A Northern California man who drove 51 miles with his wife clinging to the hood of his minivan has pleaded guilty and agreed to be sentenced to five years in prison. Christopher Carroll entered the plea to attempted murder and spousal abuse charges Wednesday as part of a deal with prosecutors, who downgraded the murder charge to say Carroll's actions were not premeditated. The 26-year-old Manteca resident was arrested after the February incident, which authorities say stemmed from an argument. Carroll's 25-year-old wife, Rebecca, stood in front of the van as he tried to drive away. The Stockton Record reports that she recounted in court Wednesday that her husband turned up the music to drown out her screams and swerved through freeway traffic to throw her off the van. Washington, D.C. Judge OKs extra releases for Ron ald Reagan shooter WASHINGTON (AP) -- The man who tried to assassinate President Ronald Reagan 30 years ago is being granted additional time away from the Washington psychiatric hospital where he lives. U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman on Wednesday approved an unspecified number of extra visits by John Hinckley to his mother's home in Virginia. Hinckley lives at St. Elizabeths Hospital. The hospital will file a plan either this month or in June for the additional releases. Bill Miller, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office, says the number of additional visits will be specified in a future order from the judge. He said Friedman set an October hearing date to discuss the plan. Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity after shooting Reagan in 1981 as he left a Washington hotel. Colorado Denver appeals court weighs military impostor law DENVER (AP) -- A federal appeals court in Denver is hearing arguments on whether Congress can make it illegal to falsely claim to be a military hero. At issue is the Stolen Valor Act, which makes it a crime punishable by up to a year in jail to falsely claim to have been awarded a military medal. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in the case Thursday. It centers on Rick Strandlof, a Colorado man who was arrested after claiming he was wounded in Iraq as a Marine and had received military medals. His lawyers have acknowledged the claims were false. A federal judge ruled the law violated the First Amendment. Prosecutors asked the 10th Circuit to uphold the law, which has also been challenged in California. New Hampshire Court orders new trial in motorcycle deaths CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- The New Hampshire Supreme Court has ordered a new trial for a woman convicted of two counts of vehicular homicide in a crash that killed two teenagers on a motorcycle. The court ruled that a prosecutor's final arguments in the case against 63-year-old Marilyn Demond-Surace of Charlestown violated a court order that the prosecutor could not suggest the woman was lying when she said she'd had only one glass of wine during dinner at her sister's house before the crash. Demond-Surace crashed into the motorcycle while turning onto Old Claremont Road in July 2005. Nineteen-year-olds Justin Aiken and Robin Flaig of Claremont were killed in the crash. The Supreme Court, in its unanimous ruling, states the trial judge also was at fault for not granting a mistrial in 2008. Published: Fri, May 13, 2011