Associated Press Oct 28, 08 9:56 PM CDT
(AP)
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The convicted felon suspected in the slayings of Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother, and nephew was arrested with crack cocaine in his car in June, but authorities declined to return him to prison on a parole violation. A judge dismissed the charge for lack of probable cause in July, but under the strict rules of the state's parole program, William Balfour could have gone back to prison just for the arrest.
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American student faces charges in Italian court in death of roommate last year
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Oct 28, 08 4:51 PM CDT
(Newser)
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American exchange student Amanda Knox and her Italian boyfriend will stand trial on charges of murdering her British roommate, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports. The trial in the death of Meredith Kercher will begin Dec. 4 in Perugia, Italy. Prosecutors say Kercher was killed during a violent sex game gone awry and that Knox, a 21-year-old Seattle native, cut her throat.
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Multi-agency crackdown snares more than 600 adults involved in '21st century slavery'
Washington Post Oct 28, 08 7:03 AM CDT
(Newser)
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A huge nationwide crackdown has smashed apart a dozen child prostitution rings and rescued 47 juveniles, the Washington Post reports. The joint effort from the FBI, Justice Department, and local law enforcement agencies led to the arrest of more than 600 adults in 29 cities, including 73 pimps. Ten of the children appear on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's registry.
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ANALYSIS
Senator came across
as evasive, combative
in cross-examination
The Hill Oct 28, 08 6:37 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens' decision not to take the Fifth in his corruption trial was a bold gamble that backfired, the Hill writes. The Republican came across as "evasive and combative" under tough questioning on the stand, hurting his credibility and adding weight to the prosecution's argument that the senator had conspired to conceal free gifts from a company that stood to benefit from his clout.
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NC man arrested
after statements
don't match up
News & Observer (Raleigh) Oct 28, 08 4:36 AM CDT
(Newser)
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The husband of a jogger found dead in July has been charged with her murder, Raleigh's News & Observer reports. Police say parts of the testimony made by Brad Cooper during a custody hearing for the couple's two daughters earlier this month were inconsistent with what he had told investigators soon after his wife's strangled body was discovered.
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updated
Anchorage Daily News Oct 27, 08 4:59 PM CDT
(Newser)
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After 5 hours of deliberations, a federal jury found Ted Stevens guilty today on all seven corruption counts against him. Coming just before Election Day, the felony convictions cloud the political future of the 84-year-old Republican, who has represented Alaska in the Senate since 1968. As the foreman read the verdict, Stevens slumped slightly, the Anchorage Daily News reports. He later told his wife, "It's not over yet."
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No positive identification yet of child found in SUV in Chicago
CNN Oct 27, 08 11:52 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Police think they’ve found the body of Jennifer Hudson’s nephew, Julian King, CNN reports, after Chicago authorities responded to “a call about a suspicious auto.” Though the body they found within has yet to be formally identified, the plates on the car match those in King’s Amber Alert, and the body is “believed to be” that of the 7-year-old, an FBI official said.
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Officials push for tougher punishments for 'cyber-terrorism'
Los Angeles Times Oct 26, 08 2:18 PM CDT
(Newser)
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The suicide of a popular actress is prompting South Korean officials to get tough with “cyber-terrorists,” the Los Angeles Times reports. Choi Jin-sil hanged herself this month after Internet rumors blamed her for the death of a fellow actor. “People who inflict cyber-terrorism must pay the appropriate price,” said one lawmaker, as colleagues press for stiffer punishments.
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KATV (Arkansas) Oct 25, 08 9:39 PM CDT
(Newser)
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An Arkansas newscaster who was brutally beaten in her home earlier this week died today from her injuries, reports her home station of KATV. Anne Pressly, 26, had been sedated in intensive care since the assault and unable to communicate with police or her family. Doctors said only yesterday they were hopeful she'd recover. Police have no suspects or motive.
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Chicago Tribune Oct 25, 08 7:32 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Jennifer Hudson's family is begging for the singer's 7-year-nephew to be returned as details emerge about a suspect in the case, the Chicago Tribune reports. “All I ask, I don’t care who you are, just let my baby go," said Jennifer's sister Julia, mother of missing Julian King. “It hurts. I don’t know what else to do besides pray.” Jennifer Hudson helped the family identify the bodies of her mother and brother overnight.
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Murders of mother, brother come at height of her success
Chicago Tribune Oct 25, 08 2:41 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Even as she rose to fame and fortune, Jennifer Hudson never forgot her family. “One reason my dreams have been able to come true is because of the people in my life,” she said last year. “They’ve always believed in me.” Now, just as her career is reaching its peak, that sustaining force has been stripped away with the double murder of her mother and brother, the Chicago Tribune reports.
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Associated Press Oct 25, 08 1:18 PM CDT
(AP)
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The 7-year-old nephew of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson was still missing today, one day after the shooting deaths of Hudson's mother and brother in their Chicago home. A suspect in the deaths remained in custody, but young Julian King had not been seen since the bodies of Darnell Donerson, 57, and Jason Hudson, 29, were found Friday afternoon. Jennifer Hudson's personal publicist said the family wanted privacy.
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updated
Actress' nephew reported missing after Chicago shooting
Chicago Sun-Times Oct 24, 08 5:54 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Chicago police took a man into custody today in the shooting deaths of Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. No charges have been filed against William Balfour, 27, who was involved with a member of the Hudson family and had lived with Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson. Balfour was paroled 2 years ago after committing attempted murder and other crimes.
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updated
McCain volunteer told police that mugger cut one onto her face
KDKA 2 (Pittsburgh) Oct 24, 08 11:40 AM CDT
(Newser)
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The blogosphere smelled a rat, and they were apparently right. The woman who claimed that an Obama-supporting mugger carved a "B" into her cheek has confessed to making up the tale, KDKA-TV (Pittsburgh) reports. The 20-year-old told police that her black mugger got ticked when he saw her McCain bumper sticker. Given that she Twittered before and after the alleged assault and didn't seem all that concerned about getting medical attention, bloggers heaped scorn upon her story from the get-go.
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