Homicide suspect seized atop crane

Atlanta A homicide suspect who spent 56 hours perched on an 18-story construction crane was in custody early today after police climbed the structure and arrested him, authorities said.

“Apparently, he was thirsty,” an Atlanta police officer said. The man, identified as Carl Edward Roland, got onto the crane Wednesday and told police he was thinking of killing himself by jumping, police said.

Roland is wanted by authorities in the death of ex-girlfriend Jennifer L. Gonzalez, 36, whose body was found Tuesday. An arrest warrant accuses Roland of strangling Gonzalez and dumping her body in a pond behind the apartment where she lived.

Accused bank robber faces hijack charges

Olathe, Kan. A man accused of robbing a bank and forcing hostages to go to an airport in their underwear was indicted for attempting to commandeer an aircraft.

Bennie J. Herring, 44, already was charged with armed bank robbery and discharging a firearm. The indictment added attempted air piracy, officials said Friday.

Herring, of Wichita, remained hospitalized after being shot by police while allegedly trying to commandeer the plane. He made his first court appearance from his hospital bed Wednesday.

Funds can be taken from assets of sect

Salt Lake City A judge Friday approved the state’s request for independent parties to temporarily take control of a polygamous sect’s assets.

The attorney general’s office sought the order against trustees for a fund operated by southern Utah-based Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and its church president, Warren Jeffs.

Virtually all property in the communities of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz., was at one time transferred to the United Effort Plan trust to be shared by church members, estimated as much as $100 million.

Officials allege Jeffs has been liquidating the assets under the threat of it being turned over to the state and there is evidence trustees are not acting in the best interests of all church members.

Exhibit sparks anger over cultural offense

San Francisco An exhibit showing Chinese bodies and organs is drawing protests from Chinese-Americans who say the display of corpses is offensive to their culture.

Fiona Ma, a Chinese-American city supervisor, said Friday she is drafting legislation that will keep exhibits like “The Universe Within” out of the city unless organizers can verify consent of those who donated the bodies.

The collection was used to train medical students in Beijing.

Allan Casalou, director of the Masonic Center, which houses the exhibit, said Friday that “any time you do anything unusual you expect some reaction.” He said he has been working with the exhibit promoters to provide documentation to city officials.

Woman faces charge over poison in helmet

Fairfax, Va. A woman was charged with attempted poisoning for allegedly applying an equine anti- inflammatory drug to the riding helmet of a woman with whom she was feuding, police said.

In 2003, the alleged victim was exposed to Phenylbutazone – known as “bute” in the horse world – while wearing her helmet as she rode at a stable, police said.

Police would not disclose how much poison they believe was injected or splashed into the helmet, or why they believe Monica R. Talbett, 21, was responsible.

Talbett, a barn worker, and the victim “were close friends, until the relationship soured,” Talbett’s attorney said. Police did not identify the alleged victim but said she was sick for three days.