Federal appeals courts stops execution in Texas
HUNTSVILLE, Texas – A federal appeals court halted a convicted Texas killer’s scheduled execution Tuesday so his attorneys can pursue appeals arguing he’s mentally impaired and ineligible for the death penalty.
Robert James Campbell, 41, would have been the first U.S. inmate executed since a botched execution in Oklahoma two weeks ago. His two appeals challenged the state’s plan to use a drug for which it will not reveal the source, as was the case with drugs used in Oklahoma, and claims of mental impairment.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals halted his punishment about 2½ hours before he could have been taken to the death chamber, saying Campbell and his lawyers haven’t had a fair opportunity to develop the mental impairment claims.
Aide denies Christie had role in scheme
TRENTON, N.J. – Gov. Chris Christie’s longtime press secretary told New Jersey lawmakers Tuesday that he is confident that his boss and other senior advisers had no knowledge of the planning or execution of a scheme that shut traffic near the George Washington Bridge in a political payback plot.
Michael Drewniak, who has been Christie’s chief spokesman since he became U.S. attorney for New Jersey in 2001, called last September’s lane closings reckless and perplexing in an opening statement before a New Jersey legislative committee investigating the plot.
He said he was misled into believing the lanes were blocked to study traffic patterns, an explanation that has since been discredited. He said he still has no idea why a government resource was used for political retribution.
“I can say with complete confidence and comfort that none of these people starting with Gov. Chris Christie had any involvement whatsoever in this reckless and perplexing episode,” he said.
Drewniak, who is part of Christie’s inner circle of aides and advisers, is the most senior administration official to be questioned under oath about the lane closings.
Man arrested after driving into TV station
TOWSON, Md. – A man claiming to be God rammed a truck through the front of a Baltimore-area television station Tuesday, leaving a gaping hole as reporters and other staff fled the building.
Police arrested a suspect about five hours after the incident, officials said at a news conference. The suspect was not injured but was taken for medical treatment, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz said.
“It’s very clear the subject is suffering from emotional or mental health issues,” Police Chief James Johnson said. The identity of the 29-year-old man was not immediately disclosed.
Michael Marion was in his office off WMAR-TV’s lobby when he heard someone rattling violently against the security door about 11:45 a.m. The man demanded to be let in, claiming “I am God, I am God,” Marion said.
U.S. orders sanctions over African violence
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama ordered sanctions Tuesday against five people tied to sectarian violence in the Central African Republic and cleared the way for further penalties, stepping up the U.S. response to a crisis that’s plunged the former French colony into fear and chaos.
In an executive order, Obama declared a national emergency and said a breakdown of law and order, widespread atrocities and forced use of child soldiers threatens security not only in the Central African Republican, but also in neighboring African nations.
The U.S. sanctions target both Muslim rebels and members of a rival Christian movement two sides of a brutal conflict that has confounded the international community.
Thousands of homes threatened by wildfire
SAN DIEGO – A wildfire roaring through Southern California forced evacuation orders for more than 20,000 homes on Tuesday, but so far only one mobile home burned as a high-pressure system brought unseasonable heat and gusty winds to the parched state.
San Diego’s Emergency Operations Center says most of the homes are in the city and northern San Diego County.
The 700-acre blaze erupted Tuesday morning, fueled by canyons full of brush and pushed by hot, dry winds.
At least two high schools and one elementary school also were evacuated, police Detective Gary Hassen said.
Another fire destroyed a mobile home and prompted the evacuation of five homes in the rural town of Campo in southern San Diego County before it was largely surrounded, state fire Capt. Kendal Bortisser said.
North of Los Angeles, a wildfire erupted Tuesday afternoon in Santa Barbara County was quickly wind-whipped to 150 acres.
Associated Press
