Highway shooting mistrial declared
Columbus, Ohio A judge declared a mistrial Sunday in the case of a man who admitted to a string of highway shootings – one which killed a woman – but claimed innocence by reason of insanity.
The hung jury came after four days of deliberation in the trial of Charles McCoy Jr., charged with 12 shootings that terrified Columbus-area commuters over five months in 2003 and 2004.
The county prosecutor said he would retry McCoy, 29, who could have faced death if convicted over the death of Gail Knisley, 62, the only person hit in the shootings.
Pastor regrets ouster of Bush opponents
Waynesville, N.C. Calling it a “great misunderstanding,” the pastor of a small church who led the charge to remove nine members for their political beliefs tried to welcome them back Sunday, but some insisted he must leave.
The Rev. Chan Chandler, 33, didn’t directly address the controversy during the service at East Waynesville Baptist Church, but issued a statement saying the church does not care about its members’ political affiliations.
Nine members said they were ousted during a gathering last week by about 40 others because they don’t back President Bush.
Scientists boycott evolution hearing
Topeka, Kan. Scientists refused to participate in state Board of Education hearings last week on how the theory of evolution should be treated in public schools.
About a dozen scientists spoke with news media after evolution critics testified before a board subcommittee. The hearings are scheduled to wrap up this week.
The scientists’ boycott was led by the American Association for the Advancement of Science and Kansas Citizens for Science, which claim the hearings are rigged.
Daniel Boone burial site put up for sale
Marthasville, Mo. For sale: Portion of historic farmstead for $1.2 million.
May be burial place of famous frontier explorer.
No one disputes that Daniel Boone and his wife, Rebecca, were buried on the Bryan farm west of St. Louis. The 32-acre tract is now for sale.
But in 1845, the couple’s remains supposedly were reburied in Frankfort, Ky.
Some believe another man’s bones were exhumed – deliberate misdirection by the farm’s owner and Rebecca Boone’s cousin.
The farm’s current owner, Grace Stemme, is among those who believe Boone is still buried there.