In brief: Ferguson chief apologizes in video

ST. LOUIS – The Missouri police chief whose officer fatally shot an unarmed 18-year-old last month released a video Thursday apologizing to the family and the community, acknowledging that Michael Brown’s body remained in the street for too long after he was killed.

The video featuring Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson was released by a public relations agency on the same day Brown’s parents were in Washington pressing for a full federal investigation.

Brown was unarmed when he was shot Aug. 9 during a confrontation with Officer Darren Wilson, and his body remained in the street for more than four hours. At the time, police said they needed the time to gather evidence.

“But it was just too long and I’m truly sorry for that,” Jackson, dressed in a red polo shirt instead of his police uniform, said on the video. “Please know that the investigating officers meant no disrespect to the Brown family, to the African-American community or the people of Canfield (Drive). They were simply trying to do their jobs.”

Three from FDNY die on same day

NEW YORK – Three retired firefighters who worked at ground zero have died on the same day from cancer, an illness that many fear might be connected to toxic World Trade Center dust released on Sept. 11, fire officials said Thursday.

Lt. Howard Bischoff, 58, and firefighters Robert Leaver, 56, and Daniel Heglund, 58, died within hours of one another Monday.

Their deaths are “a painful reminder that 13 years later we continue to pay a terrible price for the department’s heroic efforts,” Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said in a statement.

Hundreds of first responders have gotten cancer in the 13 years since the attacks, but doctors and researchers still are uncertain whether there is any link between those illnesses and 9/11.

Two convicted on conspiracy charges

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Two California men were convicted Thursday of conspiring to support terrorists and kill Americans overseas.

Sohiel Omar Kabir and Ralph Deleon each face life sentences for the convictions in U.S. District Court after jurors deliberated for a week.

Kabir, 36, and Deleon, 25, each were charged with conspiracy for what prosecutors said was a plan to train overseas as terrorists so they could target U.S. military and allies.

Defense lawyers portrayed the two defendants as hapless pot smokers who talked a big game but didn’t intend any harm.