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October 3, 2006

Jury quickly convicts man in toddler's beating death

PROVIDENCE -- It took a jury just 20 minutes this afternoon to convict Akeem King of second-degree murder for his part in the beating death of a 2-year-old toddler in Providence last year.

King, 21, did not testify in his four-day trial.

"It's hard to imagine a more senseless and brutal murder than this one -- the murder of a precious young child," Attorney General Patrick Lynch said in a statement. "We look forward to prosecuting, and convicting, the co-defendant in this case as well."

The jury found that King beat 2-year-old Marquel Davis to death while he and a friend, Troy Figgs, were babysitting the toddler last summer. Prosecutors said the child's mother worked as a prostitute for Figgs and that she had gone to Boston to work that night.

An autopsy revealed that the toddler died of "acute subdural hemorrhage" and brain injury due to blunt force trauma. He suffered contusions to his scalp, face, and body, with some deep enough to cause bleeding to the muscles.

Figgs, who was King's roommate, is awaiting trial for murder for his part in the crime.

King will be held at the Adult Correctional Instititutions in Cranston pending his sentencing.

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:59 PM | Comment

Business magazine Inc. gives Carcieri mixed review

In an issue on the stands today, a national business magazine ranked the 26 sitting governors seeking reelection nationwide. They included Rhode Island's top elected official, Governor Carcieri, a former business executive, who received just two out of four stars.

The article, which appears in the October issue of Inc. magazine, said its ranking for Carcieri indicates a governor who realized "some fine achievements" in terms of making the state's climate business-friendly, but whose achievements were "mitigated by mistakes, failures or oversights."

Seven other governors, including Connecticut's Jodi Rell and Maine's John Baldacci, shared the two-star category.

The article says the Republican Carcieri "has loaded up his annual budgets" with incentives for new businesses, but that he has not done enough to reform the state's tax code, which it said slaps businesses with "some of the highest rates and most complicated requirements in the country."

-- Journal staff writer Elizabeth Gudrais

Inc. executive editor Mike Hofman said six reporters worked on the story, interviewing entrepreneurs, academics, venture capitalists and public officials to get their thoughts on the state's business climate.

Carcieri spokesman Jeff Neal said the two-star ranking does not mean Carcieri fell short, but rather "shows you how much work still needs to be done" to make Rhode Island friendly to businesses.

"It is not easy to enact radical reform, to completely overhaul the system when you are faced with a General Assembly that is dominated by the people who put the old system in place," Neal said.

-- Journal staff writer Elizabeth Gudrais

Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:51 PM | Comment

A celebration of reading protests closed library / Photo

Journal photo / Kris Craig
Save Our Branches event organizer Ellen Schwartz takes a turn at reading a story to children today outside the closed Washington Park library.

PROVIDENCE -- More than 100 residents gathered on a grassy plaza outside the Washington Park library branch today to celebrate reading and to protest the fact that the library has been closed since January because of structural repairs.

A community group formed 18 months ago to protest cuts to local library services and the branch closing hosted a public “Read In’’ on the plaza at 1316 Broad St. this afternoon.

The event included readings of such classics as “The Little Engine That Could” and “The Amazing Bone’’ with volunteers such as community activists Rochelle Lee and Rev. Duane Clinker. Local actors and storytellers also participated.

“We’re here to tell the library board that neighborhood branches are important to us,’’ said Ellen Schwartz, event coordinator from Save Our Branches, the group that hosted the event. “We want to let them know that we’re still reading in Washington Park!”

The Providence Public Library board of trustees voted to close the branch last January, after building contractors found serious structural problems with the facility, caused by a leaking roof. The building -- a former firehouse that the city sold to PPL for $1 in 1950 -- had sustained so much water damage on its South End that that portion of the structure had to be cordoned off to keep people away.

-- Journal staff writer Karen A. Davis

Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:48 PM | Comment

Judge bars prescription co-pays by poor

PROVIDENCE -- The state Medicaid program cannot charge co-pays for prescription drugs unless the General Assembly changes the law, a Superior Court judge ruled today.

That means that, at least for now, some 14,000 poor people will not have to pay the $1 co-pay for generics and the $3 co-pay for brand-name drugs that the state wanted to collect starting Sept. 21.

But the state is considering appealing the decision -- and will also ask the Assembly to change the law when it returns in January -- so that Medicaid can collect payments expected to total about $60,000 a month.

The ruling by Superior Court Judge Stephen J. Fortunato applies to a subset of people covered by the state health program, mostly disabled adults who are not eligible for Medicare, a federal program. It has no effect on people enrolled in RIte Care, a state managed-care program for low-income families, nor does it have any bearing on the federal Medicare Part D drug benefit.

-- Journal medical writer Felice J. Freyer

Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:34 PM | Comment

Want to know where your child has been online?

WEST WARWICK -- Cox Communications today will describe how parents who are their customers can monitor their children's Internet activity.

Cox customers can sign up for free "daily web surfing reports" delivered by e-mail. The reports will list any sites their kids have visted or have attempted to visit.

Today's meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. At the Boys and Girls Club at 42 Frederick St., Warwick.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:05 PM | Comment

Appeals court upholds Francisco conviction

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has affirmed the conviction of Joel “Joey Crack” Francisco, who is serving a sentence of life in federal prison without parole for a crack-cocaine trafficking conspiracy.

Francisco, the former leader of the Almighty Latin King Nation in Rhode Island, had challenged his conviction by a jury in April 2005. He was found guilty of possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine.

The Circuit rejected several challenges Francisco made regarding the use of federal wire-tap laws and testimony provided by Providence police detectives during his trial, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today.

“Francisco has failed to show that the rulings [by the trial judge] were in error,” the court wrote in its opinion, which was issued yesterday. “The evidence of guilt was overwhelming.”

Francisco was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mary M. Lisi in September 2005 to life in federal prison. Since Francisco had two prior felony drug convictions, federal drug-sentencing laws made it mandatory for the court to impose a life sentence for the crack-cocaine trafficking conviction.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 3:00 PM | Comment

New Englanders enjoyed healthier air this summer

BOSTON -- New Englanders breathed a little easier during the summer.

The Environmental Protection Agency says the number of unhealthy air days dropped in the region from 26 last year to 16 this summer.

Around New England, the number of unhealthy air days dropped from eight to three in Rhode Island, 20 to 11 in Massachusetts, 20 to 13 in Connecticut, four to two in New Hampshire and four to one in Maine. Vermont had no bad air days in either year.

EPA Regional Administrator Robert Varney credits the drop to a cooler summer and a decline in the air pollution that causes smog. He notes the decrease is part of a two-decade trend. For instance, in the summer of 1983, the region saw 90 unhealthy air days.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Jack Perry at 2:10 PM | Comment

In Cranston, Mayor Laffey still gets a lot of attention

The Cranston mayoral candidates, Republican Allan W. Fung and Democrat Michael T. Napolitano, met this morning in their first debate since the Sept. 12 primary.

Taking questions from students at Cranston High School East, Fung and Napolitano set an aggressive tone that differed sharply from the relatively quiet Democratic primary in which Napolitano defeated Cynthia M. Fogarty.

In the debate, Fung warned that Napolitano, if elected, would reverse the fiscal accomplishments of Republican Mayor Stephen P. Laffey, who was defeated in the GOP Senate primary.

Napolitano countered by questioning Laffey's record, arguing that Laffey and Fung, a City Council member, had imposed an enormous tax burden on city residents.

Posted by Peter Phipps at 1:44 PM | Comment

Bolton foes set forums on Chafee's vote on UN ambassador

PROVIDENCE -- A group of professors, former government officials and students will hold town hall-style meetings in Bristol and Providence this afternoon to discuss U.S. Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee's role in nomination of John Bolton as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

As a moderate Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chafee could play a critical role in whether the former under secretary of state represents the United States at the United Nations.

The first forum is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Roger Williams University's Main Library in Bristol. The speakers include Lawrence J. Korb, a former assistant secretary of defense; Luise Druke, of MIT's Center for International Studies and former United Nations official; and Seth Green, the president of Americans for Informed Democracy, a non-partisan advocacy group.

The second meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Brown University's Smith Buonanno building. Both forums are free and open to the public.

A Chafee spokeswoman said the senator wasn't aware of the forums and had not been invited. A representative from Roger Williams' chapter of Americans for Informed Democracy confirmed that the senator wasn't invited to attend.

"It's more about engaging the students so they can send letters to their senators," said Youmna Diri.

After the Senate refused to endorse Bolton last year, President Bush nominated him to serve temporarily at the United Nations while the Senate was in recess. The Bush administration and Republican Senate leaders have courted Chafee -- who has expressed concern about Bolton -- for his vote in recent days.

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Posted by Steve Peoples at 12:50 PM | Comment

Assault charges dropped against ex-Patriot Johnson

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Assault charges were dropped today against former New England Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson and his wife after the couple refused to testify against each other.

Johnson, 33, and his wife, Jacqueline, 40, were arrested in July after a domestic dispute at their Weston home.

Days later, Jacqueline Johnson sat beside her husband during a televised interview and said she was responsible for what she called an argument that escalated, adding, "At no time did Ted ever hit me, did he ever hurt me. He's the most gentle, loving, respectful man I know."

The former linebacker was arguing with his wife about her trying to take his prescription drugs, according to the police report.

Jacqueline Johnson said in the report that her husband twisted her arm behind her back and shoved her into a bookcase. She said she fought back by punching and scratching him. The police found her in the driveway of the couple's home.

Waltham District Court Judge Tobin Harvey dismissed the case today, after prosecutors said they did not have evidence to go forward because the Johnsons asserted their marital privilege not to testify.

Johnson retired before last season, citing the effects of several concussions.

The 6-foot-4, 253-pound Johnson was drafted by the Patriots in 1995 out of Colorado and helped the team win three Super Bowls. He finished with 865 tackles and 11 1/2 sacks in 125 regular-season games, including 106 starts.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Steve Peoples at 12:46 PM | Comment

Hear, see James Earl Jones at Knight library today

PROVIDENCE -- You won't have to go to a galaxy far, far away to hear the famously deep, dark-side voice of Darth Vader this afternoon.

You can just hyperdrive over to the Knight Memorial Library at 275 Elmwood Ave., where actor James Earl Jones -- the man behind the voice -- will be appearing.

Jones plans to read a story to children and talk about the importance of reading as part of a larger celebration of the local nonprofit group, Books Are Wings, which will receive a grant from Verizon at the event.

Jones, who is a Verizon Yellow Pages spokesman, has starred and done voice work in movies ranging from Star Wars (as the voice of Vader), The Lion King, Coming to America and Field of Dreams.

Today's appearance at the library is scheduled for 4 p.m. and is open to the public.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 12:44 PM | Comment

Update: Man escapes from his burning mobile home / Photo

Journal photo / Bill Murphy
Coventry Fire Lt. Rusty Giles sprays water on a fire this morning in a mobile home at the Mapleroot Village in Coventry. The occupant of the trailer was taken to the hospital with smoke inhalation.

COVENTRY – When a fire broke out this morning in a mobile home in the Mapleroot Village, the resident came running out of his home in his underwear, covered in black smoke.

A maintenance worker for the mobile home park who was across the street stopped the man from going back into his home for clothes, said David Lippitt, the vice president of the Mapleroot Corporation.

That man was taken to a hospital for treatment, but no one else was injured in the blaze, which began sometime after 8 a.m. today in the park located at 2155 Nooseneck Hill Rd. (also known as Route 3), Lippitt said.

The man’s mobile home was a total loss, and two to three others on Lane 3 within the 185-unit park were partially damaged, Lippitt said.

Lippitt does not know the cause of the blaze in the park, which residents purchased in 2004.

Lippitt praised the local volunteer fire departments for their quick response, which he said people at the scene estimate was within five minutes.

“I’m really amazed that the volunteers got here as quickly as they did,” Lippitt said. “They ought to get praise for it.”

By around 9:20 a.m., firefighters were still on scene, Lippitt said. There was no worry of the fire spreading at that time, he said. Crews were just cleaning up and shutting electricity off for about 16 homes in the immediate vicinity of the fire.

Responding to the blaze were the Central Coventry and Hopkins Hill departments in Coventry and the Lake Mishnock department from West Greenwich. The mobile home park is located in western Coventry, not far from the West Greenwich line.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 12:11 PM | Comment

LIN TV names new chairman as part of restructuring

PROVIDENCE – LIN Television Corp., which owns and operates WPRI-TV, Channel 12, has named a new chairman of the company’s board of directors and other board and company leaders in a realignment of the management team under the company’s new CEO.

Douglas McCormick will serve as chairman of the board of directors, marking a change in how the company operates, according to a statement issued today by the company.

Since 2000, McCormick served as chairman and CEO of iVillage Incorporated, a leading Web site for women, according to LIN TV. He also served as president and CEO of Lifetime Television.

Providence-based LIN TV has moved away from having its CEO serve in dual roles as chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer.

When the new CEO, Vincent L. Sadusky, was tapped in July to lead the company, he said the company was seeking a new chairman because he would not take on that role within LIN TV. He said the trend in corporate governance was moving away from having CEOs also serve as chairmen of their companies’ boards.

LIN TV also announced today the appointment of Mitchell Stern to its board of directors. Previously, Stern was president and CEO of the DirecTV Group Inc., a leading digital television provider.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Other changes to LIN TV’s corporate lineup include:

Gregory M. Schmidt as executive vice president of digital media, a new position for the man who has served as the company’s vice president and general counsel since 1995;

Scott Blumenthal as executive vice president of television, a move up from co-vice president of television, a position Blumenthal has held since last year;

Edward Munson as vice president of station sales, a new position for the company’s other co-vice president of television since last year; and

Denise M. Parent as vice president and general counsel. She has served as vice president and deputy general counsel since 1997.

In addition to Channel 12, a CBS affiliate, LIN TV also locally operates Fox-affiliate WNAC, Channel 64. The company owns and operates 30 television stations in 18 midsize markets in the United States and Puerto Rico.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 11:27 AM | Comment

Only four days left to register to vote

Saturday’s the last chance to register to vote in this year’s general election.

Rhode Island, unlike a few other states, does not allow voters to register on the day of an election. And the state does not allow people to register to vote online.

However, there’s plenty of information on the Board of Elections website and the Secretary of State’s website about where you can go to register, what you’ll need to bring with you and what you can do ahead of time to streamline the process.

In order to register and vote, you must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of the Rhode Island city or town where you’ll vote and at least 18 years old before the general election on Nov. 7. You cannot vote if you are a convicted felon still serving a sentence (including prison, parole, probation or suspended sentences) or if a court has legally declared you to be mentally incapable.

You can register to vote at the local board of canvassers in your town or city hall, at any Division of Motor Vehicles location, at agencies providing public assistance (such as the Department of Human Services), at state-funded programs that assist people with disabilities and at armed forces recruiting offices.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 8:15 AM | Comment

Deliberations in hospital case to resume tomorrow

The jury in the Roger Williams Medical Center trial has the day off, so we’ll have to wait longer to know the fate of the hospital executives charged with stealing the honest services of state Sen. John Celona.

The case went to the jury late yesterday afternoon, but the eight women and four men will not be deliberating today due to a death in the family of one of the jurors.

Deliberations are set to begin tomorrow.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:32 AM | Comment

Summer's hanging on

PROVIDENCE – Warm, summer weather seems to be hanging in here as long as it can.

Good, we’ll take it.

Today’s supposed to be partly cloudy with a high near 74. There’s a slight chance of showers this afternoon, after 3 p.m., and this evening before 9 p.m.

Tomorrow, the high should climb to 78.

As for nights this week, they’re feeling more like fall. Expect the low tonight and tomorrow night to be around 56 degrees.

Get the latest conditions and forecasts from projo.com.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:10 AM | Comment