West Virginia Supreme Court
to rehear Massey case
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia's Supreme Court voted Thursday to reconsider its reversal of a $76.3 million judgment against Massey Energy Co., in a case roiled by conflict of interest allegations directed at the justices.
The 5-0 decision erases November's ruling that had overturned a 3-2 verdict won by Harman Mining Co. and its president, Hugh Caperton, in a coal contract dispute with Massey, based in Richmond, Va.
Chief Justice Elliott "Spike" Maynard did not take part in Thursday's action. He recused himself after the release of vacation photos showing him with Don Blankenship, Massey's chairman, president and CEO, while the judgment was headed for appeal.
The Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case March 12.
Federal study calls for airtight mine shelters
to save trapped miners
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Federal researchers have concluded that airtight refuge chambers could save coal miners trapped underground and merit installation across the country.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health researchers also have determined the current approach of building barricades from fire-resistant or plastic sheets is not viable for keeping trapped miners alive, according to a report sent to Congress on Wednesday.
The report suggests reversing more than a century of practice in the U.S. coal industry and decades of federal regulation. It would be another in a long string of mine safety changes adopted after 12 men died of carbon monoxide poisoning at the Sago Mine in January 2006. Congress ordered the study in a sweeping safety law approved after Sago and two other high-profile fatal accidents that year.
Currently, the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration requires coal mines to provide 96 hours of breathable air for trapped miners. Only West Virginia, the nation's largest underground coal producer, and Illinois require refuge chambers.
A budget requires MSHA to propose regulations for refuge chambers by June 15. Final regulations are due by Dec. 31.
Former Atlanta police officer
pleads guilty to extortion
ATLANTA -- A former Atlanta police officer pleaded guilty Thursday to his role in an extortion scheme that was uncovered during a probe of a fatal 2006 police shooting of an elderly woman in a botched drug raid.
Daniel Betts, 26, who was with the Atlanta Police Department nearly five years, admitted that he took cash payoffs from the owner of an apartment complex in a high-crime area in exchange for special protection.
According to federal prosecutors, Betts was implicated after one of the officers involved in the Nov. 21, 2006, killing of 92-year-old Kathryn Johnston told investigators that several members of the department were taking such payoffs.
He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine at his sentencing, scheduled for April 4.
However, under federal sentencing guidelines, he will likely face much less time if he cooperates. The exact amount was unclear.
Sailor sentenced to two years
for falsely wearing ribbons
NORFOLK -- A sailor convicted of wearing a Purple Heart and other medals he didn't earn was sentenced Thursday in Norfolk to two years in a military jail.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Dontae L. Tazewell also will receive a bad conduct discharge and be demoted to seaman.
The hospital corpsman at Yorktown Naval Weapons Station was found guilty Wednesday on 10 of 11 counts of wearing unauthorized ribbons.
Some of the honors recognized Tazewell for heroism during an ambush in Iraq. Tazewell claimed he rescued six Marines and recovered the bodies of four others, but his supervisors testified during his court-martial that the rescue never happened.
Student accused of sending text school threat
RICHMOND -- Chesterfield County authorities say a high school student is accused of using her cell phone to text-message a threat about a gun attack.
The threat on a cell phone to two of the suspect's acquaintances prompted a partial lockdown at Thomas Dale High School on Tuesday.
Bond was set at $1,200 Thursday for Ashley Vaughan, 18, on a misdemeanor charge of making a false report to police.
She was arrested Wednesday and also faces two felony counts of threatening bodily harm on school property. Vaughan was scheduled to make a court appearance Thursday afternoon on those charges.
Fisherman hauls in record Virginia rockfish
CHESAPEAKE -- A Chesapeake man has shattered Virginia's rockfish record with a 73-pound striped bass.
Fred Barnes hauled in the monster Wednesday off Cape Henry. The previous record was a 68-pound, 1-ounce fish caught in 2006 by Clay Armstrong.
The fish fell short of the International Game Fish Association all-tackle world record -- a 78 pound, 8-ounce striper caught off a New Jersey beach in 1982 by Albert McReynolds.
Barnes said he had no plans to mount the fish, which measured 52 inches long, with a girth of 31 inches.
From the Associated Press
Produced by
Washington and Lee
journalism students.
Lead Supervisors:
Prof. Brian
Richardson
Prof. Phylissa
Mitchell
Editing supervisor:
Prof. Pamela Luecke
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd