Teen says no more about trip to Iraq

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. An American teen who cut class to make a solo trip to Iraq returned to school Tuesday, then skipped his own news conference because he didn’t want to face reporters.

Farris Hassan, 16, said in a statement that he had changed his mind about the media appearance, which he had organized.

“I am very thankful to be home and safe, and I am looking forward to going back to school and moving on. Thank you to everyone who was concerned about my safety,” he said in the statement, which his sister Shehnaz read to reporters.

The statement also said officials at his exclusive prep school, Pine Crest, had “already stated all there is to say.” The teen did not answer calls to his cell phone.

Hassan will not be expelled, but the junior could lose his honor roll status, face community service or have points deducted from his grade point average for skipping class, said Lourdes Cowgill, president of Pine Crest, a 700-student academy in Fort Lauderdale.

Hassan skipped school to begin his travels Dec. 11.

He left Iraq on Friday and returned home Sunday.

Rhode Island legalizes medical marijuana

Providence, R.I. Rhode Island on Tuesday became the 11th state to legalize medical marijuana and the first since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that patients who use the drug can still be prosecuted under federal law.

The House overrode a veto by Gov. Don Carcieri, 59-13, allowing people with illnesses such as cancer and AIDS to grow up to 12 marijuana plants or buy 2.5 ounces of marijuana to relieve their symptoms. Those who do are required to register with the state and get an identification card.

Federal law prohibits any use of marijuana, but Maine, Vermont, Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington allow it to be grown and used for medicinal purposes.

The U.S. high court ruled June 6 that people who smoke marijuana because their doctors recommend it can still be prosecuted under federal drug laws, even if their states allow it. Federal authorities, however, have conceded they are unlikely to prosecute many medicinal marijuana users.

Extradition sought in Marine poisoning

San Diego Prosecutors are seeking the extradition of a woman in Florida accused of poisoning her husband – a Marine sergeant – and then using his life insurance to pay for breast enhancement and a libertine lifestyle.

Cynthia Sommer, 32, moved to Florida from San Diego in 2002 with a new boyfriend, an ex-Marine, just weeks after an autopsy performed by a military pathologist found that her husband died of a heart attack.

Further toxicology tests determined that Sgt. Todd Sommer, 23, died of acute arsenic poisoning. The tests were ordered by the military and confirmed by civilian experts.

Todd Sommer was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar when he died Feb. 18, 2002, after complaining of nausea for several days.

His widow was arrested in Palm Beach County, Fla., in late November 2005 shortly after new tests and an additional investigation were complete.

“This is the coldest homicide I’ve had, in terms of being absolutely coldblooded,” Deputy District Attorney Laura Gunn said.