Transit cop to be tried in murder
OAKLAND, Calif. – A judge ruled Thursday that a former transit police officer should stand trial on murder charges in the fatal shooting of an unarmed man on a train platform.
Alameda County Superior Court Judge Don Clay said there was sufficient evidence for ex-Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer Johannes Mehserle to face murder charges in the slaying of Oscar Grant early New Year’s Day.
Mehserle has pleaded not guilty.
Mehserle’s defense has contended that Mehserle accidentally grabbed his pistol instead of his stun gun when he shot Grant, who was face down on the platform.
Six states report swine flu deaths
MILWAUKEE – Health officials in a half dozen states reported deaths from swine flu on Thursday, and said all six patients had been diagnosed with other health problems
An adult living in Milwaukee became Wisconsin’s first resident to die with the H1N1 virus. Pennsylvania also reported its first death from the illness, a 55-year-old woman from Berks County.
In Illinois, a 74-year-old man from Gurnee died Tuesday, according to the Lake County Health Department.
Officials in California said a 9-year-old Concord girl had been diagnosed with swine flu and had a bacterial infection before she died May 29. The patient who died in Utah also was under 18, according to Gary Edwards, executive director of the Salt Lake Valley Health Department.
In Arizona, a 64-year-old woman living in Pinal County became the fifth person in the state to die from complications of swine flu, authorities said.
Man charged with threat to Obama
SALT LAKE CITY – Federal prosecutors have charged a man with making threats against President Barack Obama after he allegedly told a bank employee in Utah he was on a mission to kill the president.
The Salt Lake Tribune reported on its Web site Thursday that Daniel James Murray allegedly made the remark to a teller at a bank in St. George on May 27 as he withdrew $13,000 from an account.
Murray’s whereabouts are unknown. The U.S. Secret Service says Murray has at least eight registered firearms, the Tribune reported.