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« February 19, 2008 | Today | February 21, 2008 » February 20, 2008Tonight: Film of Station fire victim's play airs on TVOn the five-year anniversary of the Station nightclub fire, a film of the play written by an 18-year-old who died in the fire airs tonight at 7 on Cox Channel 71. The play, They Walk Among Us, was written by Nicholas O'Neill and is about teenagers who die, but return as guardian angels. Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:46 PM | Comment Skies clearing for tonight eclipseWednesday night – there’s going to be a great, prime-time sky show: a total lunar eclipse visible throughout the Americas, Europe and Africa and, if you miss it, you'll have to wait more almost three years for the next one, in December 2010. The National Weather Service says sky should be clear across Rhode Island for at least par tof the show. At about 8:25 p.m., the moon will begin moving into the edge of the earth’s shadow, the penumbra. About 20 minutes later, the real show begins when the moon moves into the darker part of the shadow, the umbra. At about 10 p.m. the moon will be fully within the shadow as it lines up opposite the sun, on the other side of the earth. Posted by Peter Phipps at 6:29 PM | Comment Former President Bill Clinton is coming to R.I. Feb 28Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to come to Rhode Island for a Feb. 28 rally on behalf of the Democratic presidential campaign of his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is locked in a battle with Barack Obama for the party nomination. The Clinton campaign today announced the visit, saying details of it are still being worked out. Hillary Clinton is coming to Rhode Island this Sunday. Rhode Island is one of four states holding what could be a potentially decisive March 4 primary. Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:23 PM | Comment Line stretched 100 yards to hear Michelle Obama at CCRIWARWICK -- More than 500 people were waiting tonight to hear Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, at the Community College of Rhode Island night campus. Doors opened at 5:45 p.m. and the line to get in was about 100 yards long to the free event open to the public. The crowd chanted "Yes We Can" while waiting for the speech to begin. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is battling for the party nomination against Barack Obama, is visiting Rhode Island on Sunday. -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Journal staff writer Mark Arsenault Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:19 PM | Comment Station fire is part of a firefighting lesson planMaybe here is some solace, if just a little. Five years ago tonight, the Station nightclub fire erupted unimaginably before Rhode Islanders' eyes. But in a Pennsylvania school district you may not have heard of, a high school firefighting club now includes a lesson about the West Warwick blaze. James Startzel, a Hanover, Penn., career firefighter, said by phone today that for the past couple years the club's students typically spend four of their every-two-weeks, half-hour classes going over the Station fire. "My hearts go out to those people," Startzel said of those affected by the fire. "I feel bad for the families," but he hopes the lessons can save lives, preventing something like the nightclub fire from happening again. Five years after the fire spawned by hard-rock band Great White's pyrotechnics show, the students in Hanover watch a CD-ROM, put out by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, that examines the club and what happened the night of Feb. 20, 2003, Startzel said. The institute puts out CD-Roms focusing on specific fires, such as a house fire that happened in Washington D.C. And those Hanover students who choose to, in their last session, see video from the Station fire, after Startzel warns them that it is difficult. "I'll tell you, the first time I played this, you could have heard a pin drop," Startzel said. "They were all shocked that this happened." Startzel said the firefighting club's sessions examine fires in general, the basics on what can happen, use of fire extinguishers, a little bit of everything. They learn that emergency exits are not necessarily a door or doors through which they entered a building or room. Those who wish to don firefighter air-packs and learn about what a firefighter does. -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:55 PM | Comment Photo: Gere film takes to the streets of Woonsocket
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:12 PM | Comment Oster trial: Jury ends first day without verdictPROVIDENCE -- The jury in the bribery and conspiracy trial of former Lincoln Town Administrator Jonathan F. Oster adjourned its first full day of deliberations today without a verdict. Oster is charged with two counts of bribery and two counts of conspiracy. The state's case alleges he and Robert R. Picerno, a former Lincoln Planning Board member and former Oster political ally, twice attempted to extort bribes from potential buyers of the nearly six-acre, town-controlled land on Route 116 called the H&H Screw property. Picerno pleaded no contest in 2004 to four counts of taking or trying to solicit bribes, and three counts of conspiracy to solicit bribes. Read about yesterday's closing arguments in the case. -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Journal staff writer John Hill Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:30 PM | Comment Update: Michelle Obama speaks of 'amazing journey'
"This has been an amazing journey for me, Barack and my whole family," she said. She's gotten to travel the country, she said, adding that "people are hungry for a different kind of politics. They are tired of negativity and sniping." She also offered a lawyer's-style brief for her husband's campaign. She talked of Obama's upbringing as the child of a single-parent mother and spoke of her own childhood as the daughter of a working-class family from Chicago's South Side. In an interview with The Journal this afternoon, Obama responded to criticism about her remarks, made in Milwaukee on Monday, about her pride in her country. She was quoted by the Associated Press as saying: “Let me tell you, for the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country. Not just because Barack is doing well, but I think people are hungry for change." This afternoon, she said in the interview: “I think that if people look at the clip, essentially what I was commenting on was the pride that I felt in how people were engaging in the political process in ways that they hadn’t. I think that everybody had made that comment this year, that this election is like no other. "The amount of turnout that you’re seeing in primaries and caucuses and people going to rallies. I’ve said this before, it’s not just about Barack, but that people feel some level of hope and engagement. And that gives me a source of pride.” Without mentioning by name Hillary Clinton, the New York senator and rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Obama in her remarks to the crowd today criticized what she called the negativity and thrust-and-parry politics she indicated the Clintons have used on her husband. Obama is visiting the state to help the campaign of her husband, the Illinois senator, ahead of the March 4 primary, one of four such contests -- including delegate-rich Texas and Ohio -- nationally that may sort out the party's nominee. The visit comes after her husband's primary wins in Wisconsin and Hawaii, bringing his winning streak to 10 over Clinton. On Sunday, Clinton will stop in Rhode Island for a campaign visit. -- With reports from Journal staff writers Scott MacKay and Mark Arsenault Obama got perhaps the biggest cheer of the afternoon when she mentioned the war in Iraq. "The facts are pretty clear," she said. She talked about how "a lot of years of Washington experience" did not stop the rush to war after the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 -- a jibe at Sen. Clinton, who voted to authorized President Bush to militarily prosecute the war in Iraq. "A lot of years of Washington experience, and they all [senators], said, yeah, let's go to war," Obama said. The invitation-only event was billed as the launch of Rhode Island Women for Obama. Among those attending were Nuala Pell, an advocate for higher education in Rhode Island and wife of former U.S. Sen. Claiborne Pell; Attorney General Patrick Lynch; former Rhode Island Secretary of State Susan Farmer, a Republican; and, many other professional women from around the state. Michelle Obama has a speech at 5:45 p.m. at the Community College of Rhode Island's night campus in Warwick, an event free and open to the public. She is slated to be joined by her brother, Brown University basketball coach Craig Robinson, at the event. Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:14 PM | Comment Synchronized skating competition comes to the Dunk
The United States Synchronized Skating Championships begin today with free skating until about 4:30 p.m. Opening ceremonies are tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. – and then the competitions begin. More than 90 teams are competing for two spots to compete next spring in the World Synchronized Team Skating Championships. Martha Sheridan, CEO of the Providence Warwick Convention Center, says the event will lead to more than 4,000 hotel rooms booked in the area and says it's "another unique opportunity to showcase our fantastic facilities in our great location." The Colonial Figure Skating Club of West Acton, Mass., with support from Warwick Figure Skaters, will host this year's event. Tickets start at $15 and are available at the box office. See the schedule and read more about synchronized ice skating. Can't get there? Icenetwork.com, U.S. Figure Skating and MLB Advanced Media's partnership, will provide live and on-demand video coverage of the event for “season pass” subscribers. The site will also feature near-live results, event recaps, practice video and photo galleries for subscribers and nonsubscribers. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 3:13 PM | Comment RISD's new president to speak at Business EXPOJohn Maeda, the new president of the Rhode Island School of Design, will deliver a speech at this year's Business EXPO, the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce announced today. The speech, advertised by the chamber as Maeda's "first appearance in Rhode Island," will take place at the Rhode Island Convention Center. The Business EXPO will be held on May 6 to May 7. Maeda's speech, titled "The Future of Technology, Design, and Simplicity,” is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6. The Providence Journal reported on Maeda's hiring in December, calling him "a prominent artist, designer and educator who is currently the associate director of research at the Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology." For more local breaking business news, visit the Biz Blog at projo.com/business. Posted by Benjamin N. Gedan at 2:20 PM | Comment Hasbro to produce movies with Universal PicturesPawtucket-based Hasbro and Universal Pictures said this morning they have signed a six-year agreement to produce at least four movies together. The movies, the first of which will be released in 2010 or 2011, will be based on Hasbro's games such as Monopoly, Candy Land, Battleship and Clue. After the first movie, at least one film will be released each year, the companies said. Hasbro's Transformers toys made a splash with a blockbuster film last year. A sequel is now in production. There's also a movie being made based on Hasbro's G.I. Joe toys. Neither of those toys is covered by the new partnership. "Universal's creativity and worldwide marketing and distribution strength make them the perfect partner," Brian Goldner, Hasbro's chief operating officer, said in a statement. "Today's Hasbro is so much more than a traditional toy and game company, and this partnership is a powerful example of how we are offering our consumers new ways to enjoy unique and immersive experiences with our brands." Hasbro recently hired Lisa Licht as its new general manager of entertainment and licensing; she is based in Los Angeles. In addition, in August 2007, Hasbro announced an agreement with Electronic Arts to develop digital games based on many of its properties across a variety of platforms. Universal Pictures is owned by General Electric Co. -- John Kostrzewa with reports from the Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 2:18 PM | Comment Feds award Cranston $1M for housing, other programsThe city of Cranston is coming into some money – more than a million dollars. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is awarding the city about $1.06 million for housing rehabilitation programs, Mayor Michael T. Napolitano’s Scholarship and fuel funds, in addition to other programs aimed at helping low-to-moderate Cranston residents. The money is part of the Community Development Block Program, which is still accepting applications from public service organizations for some of its other grant programs. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 2:09 PM | Comment Michelle Obama speaks to gathering at BiltmorePROVIDENCE -- More than 150 cheering women -- and some men -- are gathered at the Providence Biltmore hotel for an appearance of Michelle Obama. She's visiting the state to boost the campaign of her husband, Sen. Barack Obama, ahead of the March 4 primary. Among those in attendance: Nuala Pell, an advocate for higher education in Rhode Island and the wife of former U.S. Sen. Claiborne Pell; Attorney General Patrick Lynch; former Rhode Island Secretary of State Susan Farmer, a Republican; and many other professional women from around the state. The invitation-only event, billed as the launch of Rhode Island Women for Obama, precedes a public talk by Michelle Obama this afternoon at the Community College of Rhode Island in Warwick. She will join her brother, Brown University basketball coach Craig Robinson, at the event, which begins at 5:45 p.m. The visit comes on the heels of her husband's primary wins in Wisconsin and Hawaii, bringing his winning streak to 10. His chief competitor, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, is facing a virtual must-win scenario in Democratic contests coming early next month in Texas and Ohio. On Sunday, Sen. Clinton will stop in Rhode Island for a campaign visit. -- Journal staff writer Scott MacKay Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 2:08 PM | Comment Journal's Freidah wins international photo contest
A woman losing her Cranston apartment looks out a window in one of the photographs that earned Journal photographer John Freidah first place in Pictures of the Year International's annual contest.
See the winning photographs from Pictures of the Year International's Web site. Posted by Jack Perry at 1:34 PM | Comment House update: 'Oh oh there they go' / Photo
12:41 p.m. He's inched up, on the front yard of the house Orange claw in front (Constant beeping in background) Second one -- yellow vehicle with claw Both going up with claws It's reaching out with the claw right now Here it goes It's reaching over the roof They both are now And there's a little chant in the crowd -- can't tell what they're saying (before they were doing "Swing the truck, swing the truck") Stopped -- suspended -- two claws over roof of the house -- just waiting, we'll see what happens I feel like I'm calling a golf match -- (lowers his voice) OK, Jack Nicklaus is getting ready to putt, it's all come down to this The guy in orange just closed the door to his compartment The yellow excavator to the right of orange is moving You can hear the engines starting to roar now Still waiting here C'mon guys, do something 12:46 p.m. We're kind of in suspended animation waiting for the claws to rip up some house It was all this suspense and now it's just suspended suspense, literally (Mike promises to call back when they actually get ready to tear down the house, hangs up) 12:57 p.m. Here they go, here they go Oh, sorry, it didn't actually -- false alarm again (Crowd yelling) Oh oh there they go Oh it really went right throught the roof, it's huge It's really smashing through it, you should see it They're really making short work of the house It's gone already Oh my gosh, i thought it would be a little slower than that, but it's fast There goes the front wall of the house, oh wow, oh boy, there it goes again You can see like pink insulation among the debris getting clawed apart (Beeps from the excavators) Wow, it's really something Now, cheers from people dressed in blue Home Edition T-shirts They stopped It looks like a hurricane hit it 12:58 p.m. Yellow excavator -- has its claw hanging in suspense at top Other has its claw firmly dug in pile Some house still standing Most down Front yard chewed up 12:59 p.m. Most of the front of thouse smooshed up, back barely standing 1:23 p.m. The house is a pancake now Posted by Andrea Panciera at 1:05 PM | Comment Coventry man indicted for fatal ATV crashA Coventry man was indicted today for one count of driving to endanger, death resulting and one count of leaving the scene of an accident after he allegedly left his injured passenger at the scene after he crashed his all-terrain vehicle. Ashley Renea Phelps died July 2 at Rhode Island Hospital, according to Coventry Police Capt. Bryan Volpe. Phelps was being treated for serious head injuries she suffered as a passenger on an ATV being driven by Gregory Hebert, also of Coventry. According to the police, the two were at a party together on June 23 when Hebert, with Phelps riding on the back, lost control of the ATV and crashed into mailboxes, causing the vehicle to roll over. Hebert left Phelps, according to the police, and drove off. She was found lying in the street. The next day, Hebert and a lawyer went to the Coventry Police Department, where he was arrested and released. Hebert is scheduled to be arraigned March 7 in Kent County Superior Court. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 12:40 PM | Comment Update: First try fails to bring the house down / Photo
WARWICK -- Plan A didn't work. Now, they'll have to come up with Plan B. Curious neighbors crowded the street in front of 106 Yucatan Drive, Warwick to await the house's destruction as part of its starring role in "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." They were briefly treated to an unusual site: A crane slamming the container portion of a City of Warwick dump truck, like a wrecking ball into the 1,000-square-foot Cape that was home to a family of nine just two days ago. But a truck swinging in the air was not enough to bring the house down. It only managed to make a few dents in the front of the house. Worse, it swung back and struck the crane, breaking a hydraulic fuel line and sending fuel onto the road. Now crews are trying to remove the crane. Some heavy excavating equipment has been seen on site, it's not clear what the crew will use next for its demolition. After all, before they can build a two-story, 2,900-square foot home for the Silva family, they must tear down their existing home. The house is too small and dangerous because of lead paint for a family that includes Doreen, 33, and Kenny Silva, 35, their two biological children, 14 and 11, both with autism, their three adopted children, 6, 5 and 2, all with disabilities, and their two foster children, 6 and 19 months. The Silvas are getting a new home courtesy of the popular ABC television show and some 200 volunteers, a group that includes contractors, subcontractors, neighbors, strangers and city officials. Standing along the street on this cold February morning, the onlookers have seen the crew of men and women in matching shirts and hard hats march down the street in a parade of blue. They've watched the white city dump truck back up to the house and retrieve its remaining contents. And they've seen the big yellow crane back into position in front of the house. Once the old house is demolished, construction will begin immediately on the new home. Crews of 35 will work around the clock. By the time the family returns from its first vacation ever -- a week in Disney World -- they will have a new home, a project that would normally take six to eight months. For more background, read yesterday's story. -- With reports from Journal staff photographer Bill Murphy and projo.com staff member Mike McKinney Posted by Jack Perry at 12:27 PM | Comment Offley gets two consecutive life terms for 2006 murderA judge today sentenced Barry Offley to two consecutive life prison terms plus 20 years for killing 24-year-old Jessica Imran and shooting her friend, then 28-year-old Julie Lang. By statute, Superior Court Judge Robert D. Krause was required to impose the sentences consecutively, meaning the second sentence goes into effect after the first is completed. Offley’s attorney, Terence Livingston asked in court today whether -- considering Offley’s lack of a prior criminal record and overall reputation, before the shooting, as a respectful young man – the judge would have still imposed the sentences consecutively if he didn't have to. “Would I do it without that statute?” Krause replied. “In a heartbeat.” Offley was convicted of murder, conspiracy, assault, and firearms charges December; his accomplice -- his uncle Alonzo P. Shelton -- was also found guilty and sentenced last spring to 72 years in prison. -- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writer John Castellucci During Offley's trial, Lang testified that in July 2006, Offley shot and killed Imran, then pointed the gun at her, but it jammed when he tried to shoot her. Shelton seized the gun from Offley and shot her four times, Lang testified, allegedly because she told the Woonsocket police that crack cocaine found in her pocketbook was Shelton's. It took a jury just two hours to find Offley guilty. Krause sentenced Offley to serve a one life sentence for Lang’s murder and one for the discharge of a firearm, death resulting – a total of at least 40 years. He was also given the maximum sentences for conspiracy and assault, to be served concurrently with the two life sentences. “This was a two-man execution team that went into that apartment,” Krause looking to Offley. “You were the designated executioner. Were it not for the malfunction of that weapon, you would have killed two people.” Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 11:25 AM | Comment Jury deliberating in trial of ex-Lincoln administratorPROVIDENCE -- The jury in the bribery and conspiracy trial of former Lincoln Town Administrator Jonathan F. Oster has begun deliberating this morning in Providence County Superior Court. Oster, the town adminstrator from 2000 to 2002, has been on trial for two counts of bribery and two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with what the state says were two efforts to get bribes from potential buyers of town-controlled land on Route 116 known as the H&H Screw Co. property. The state alleges Oster and former planning board member Robert R. Picerno conspired to sell the land for $105,000, an amount far lower than what the state said it was worth. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 10:33 AM | Comment French Film Festival starts tomorrow in ProvidenceFor the 10th year in a row, French Cinema is taking over Providence. The French Film Festival begins tomorrow at 7 p.m. with “Le Voyage du Ballon Rouge,” at the Cable Car Cinema. For the following 10 days, the Cable Car will show several French films per day; $8 each for general admission and $6 each for students. And Francophile film fanatics can purchase an eight-ticket package for $45 -- $34 for students. On Sat., March 1, Michel Blanc will be on hand to discuss his films, including “Je Vous Trouve Très Beau,” which will be showing at the Cable Car on Friday, Feb. 29. For more information, including a complete schedule of films, visit the Providence French Film Festival Web site. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 10:10 AM | Comment Former Iraq official comes to ProvidenceA former Iraqi official is coming to Rhode Island to talk about the ways the war has affected political, economic and social stability of the region. Ali A. Allawi, former senior minister for the post-Saddam Hussein government is delivering Brown University’s inaugural Peter Green Lecture on the Modern Middle East. “The Iraq Crisis and the Middle East Order,” is scheduled for this evening. Allawi worked as the interim minister of trade for Iraq between September 2003 and June 2004, when he became the minister of defense for the transitional government. The next year, Allawi was appointed minister of finance. He is also the author of “The Occupation of Iraq: Winning the War, Losing the Peace.” He’ll be signing copies of his book at 4 p.m. in the lobby of the Salomon Center for Teaching, on the campus green. The lecture will begin at 5 p.m., in room 101. -- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 9:38 AM | Comment Update: Satellites, missiles, spaceships, and more
The Space Shuttle Atlantis returned to earth, landing shortly after 9 this morning, to avoid the possibility that the ship would be damaged when a missile, launched from the ground, destroys a disabled spy satellite that officials say malfunctioned shortly after it was launched in 2006 that may be carrying a hazardous load of fuel. Or classified information. Or both. And as if to ensure the spectacle of it all, the satellite may be destroyed mid-way through a total lunar eclipse, flanked by Saturn and Regulus, a bright start in the constellation Leo. To think, it was just 46 years ago – to the day – that John Glenn became the first American to enter earth's orbit. -- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from The Associated Press To shoot down the out-of-control satellite, a missile will be launched from a Navy cruiser, and the government is warning people to steer clear of a certain area in the Pacific starting at around 10:30 p.m. The goal: to hit the fuel tank aboard the satellite, keeping the tank – and its toxic fuel – from reentering the earth’s atmosphere. The satellite has been in a deteriorating orbit that would bring it down to Earth by early next month, it left alone. Even if it’s hit by a missile, emergency officials are preparing for the possibility that large pieces of the satellite could still hit populated areas, though any debris is expected to land in the Pacific Ocean. Even the Ocean State – the Atlantic Ocean State – is keeping an eye out. The Rhode Island Emergency management Agency has been briefed on what to do in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. “While it’s premature to think anything will land here in Rhode Island,” REMA’s deputy director said in a statement, “it is not premature to plan for the possibility.” But if you’re looking for a sky show, you’ll you don’t have to look to the failed chunks of technology – nature does spectacle quite well. The last total lunar eclipse for nearly ten years begins at about 8:30 p.m. The moon will fully enter the earth’s shadow at about 10 p.m., where it will stay for 52 minutes. Of course, the weather is not looking good for sky gazing of any type -- exploding satellites or eclipses. But if you're the optimistic sort, the Margaret M. Jacoby Observatory on the Knight Campus in Warwick will be open for business (to look at the eclipse, not the satellites). Assistant Professor Brendan Britton of the Physics Department will be on hand to answer questions. Remember to dress warm, because the Observatory in winter, like space, can get very cold. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 9:13 AM | Comment Photo: March to the makeover
Posted by Jack Perry at 8:46 AM | Comment The Station fire: Five years ago today
The flames and billowing smoke rapidly consumed the wooden building on Cowesett Avenue. Patrons in the crowded room struggled to get out. Many did not. One hundred people died. More than 200 were injured. And the repercussions last to this day, the fifth anniversary of the fire. The Providence Journal and projo.com have provided continuing coverage of the blaze, from its cause to resulting legislation and court cases to its impact on victims, families and friends. Find our most recent stories, as well as in-depth coverage of the fire's aftermath, at this special online report: http://projo.com/stationfire
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 8:31 AM | Comment Photo: Ready for the lights, camera, demolition
Posted by Jack Perry at 8:15 AM | Comment Candidate Obama's wife visiting R.I. todayMichelle Obama is coming to Rhode Island today to talk about her husband, Sen. Barack Obama, and his run for the presidency. This evening she’ll join her brother, Brown University basketball coach Craig Robinson, at Community College Rhode Island’s Knight Campus in Warwick for a rally. The 5:45 p.m. event is open to the public but it’s at the Student Dining Commons, so there’s limited space; you can secure tickets online. Earlier in the day, she’ll attend a private get-together for a “Women for Obama” launch event at 1:30 p.m. The gathering at the Providence Biltmore hotel is by invitation only, the campaign said. Democratic presidential contender Sen. Hillary Clinton is set to visit the Ocean State on Sunday, though she hasn't yet announced where. Her state headquarters opened yesterday. GOP front runner Sen. John McCain stopped here for a campaign rally last week. -- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:59 AM | Comment Convicted killer set for sentencingThe judge who presided over the murder trial of Barry Offley rejected Offley's motion for a new trial yesterday and characterized the testimony Offley offered in his own defense before he was found guilty in December as "wholly unworthy of belief." Today, Offley is set to be sentenced for murder. Offley was convicted in December; his accomplice -- his uncle Alonzo P. Shelton -- was convicted and sentenced to 72 years last spring. Both men were found guilty in the shooting and wounding of 28-year-old Julie Lang and the shooting death of Lang's friend, 24-year-old Jessica Imran in Imran's Pawtucket apartment in July of last year. In September 2007, U.S. Marshals found the men in Ocala, Fla., hiding out in a windowless room. During Offley's trial, Lang testified that Offley shot and killed Imram, then pointed the gun at her. Shelton seized the gun from Offley and shot her four times, Lang testified, allegedly because she told the Woonsocket police that crack cocaine found in her pocketbook was Shelton's. It took a jury just two hours to find Offley guilty. He's set for sentencing in Superior Court, Providence today for murder, conspiracy, assault, and firearms charges. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:02 AM | Comment Bad timing: Cold and cloudy for tonight's eclipseWe may see snow early this afternoon. Until then, expect increasing clouds. The National Weather Service is forecasting a high temperature of 35 degrees with west winds between 9 and 14 mph. More snow and clouds tonight -- bad news for those hoping to catch tonight's total lunar eclipse. The temperature should drop to about 16 degrees with north winds between 6 and 8 mph. Not much snow accumulation is expected. Thursday should be clear, sunny and cold, with a high temperature near 32 degrees and a west wind between 7 and 10 mph. To keep an eye on the weather, visit projo.com's weather page. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:01 AM | Comment Today's front pageToday's front page reports that hold times are up for the state's emergency 911 service, while the state is trimming its budget and diverting collected fees to other uses. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006