Man admits role in fatal bank robbery plot
ERIE, Pa.: A man admitted in federal court yesterday that he helped plot a bizarre bank robbery that ended when a bomb strapped around a pizza deliveryman's neck exploded and killed him, the first conviction in the five-year-old case. Kenneth Barnes pleaded guilty to conspiracy and a charge of aiding and abetting at a hearing in which prosecutors also revealed new details, based on a statement by Barnes, about deliveryman Brian Wells' involvement in the scheme. According to Barnes, Wells got cold feet on the day of the robbery, refusing to put on the collar bomb after realizing it was real. Another plotter then fired a single shot from a gun, scaring him into putting it around his neck. Barnes, 54, could be sentenced to life in prison, but his attorneys hope he will get a lighter sentence in exchange for his cooperation.
Background checks get Tennessee trooper fired
NASHVILLE, Tenn.: A Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper accused of conducting unauthorized background checks on nearly 200 people, including two journalists and a country music figure, was fired yesterday. Lt. Ronnie Shirley was fired for gross misconduct and violating the public's trust, Highway Patrol Col. Mike Walker said. Shirley conducted 182 background checks, and of 139 people interviewed by investigators, only seven had asked Shirley to do the check, officials said. Shirley is entitled to a hearing to contest the firing.
Detroit deal seen near in mayor's perjury case
DETROIT : Prosecutors accusing Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick of lying on the witness stand to cover up an extramarital affair with a top aide said yesterday that a plea deal is expected soon, a surprise development that appeared likely to cost him his job. The office of Wayne County prosecutor Kym Worthy said yesterday that an agreement is expected soon, first saying it would come that afternoon and later saying it would be this morning. The Detroit city charter automatically expels any mayor guilty of a felony. Kilpatrick is charged with eight felonies in the perjury case and would have to get them all reduced to misdemeanors - or beat the charges in court - in order to keep his job. A member of the mayor's legal team cautioned that talks continued.
Manhattan-size ice shelf breaks off in Canada
