PHILADELPHIA
Bail not granted to official in predator-priest scandal
A Roman Catholic church official will have to fight for bail in Philadelphia after his novel conviction in the priest-abuse scandal was thrown out.
Monsignor William Lynn has served 18 months in prison after a jury found he endangered a boy by helping protect a predator-priest. But an appeals court on Thursday overturned the child endangerment conviction, saying Lynn was not legally responsible for the boy’s welfare.
Lynn’s lawyers hoped the 62-year-old Lynn would go free, but the Superior Court has instead sent the bail issue back to the trial court.
Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams vows to oppose bail and appeal the ruling.
LOS ANGELES
Suspect pleads not guilty in airport shooting rampage
Paul Anthony Ciancia pleaded not guilty Thursday to 11 federal counts, including murder and attempted murder, in connection with the Nov. 1 shooting rampage at Los Angeles International Airport that left a Transportation Security Administration officer dead.
Ciancia, 23, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Bristow during a hearing at a detention center in Rancho Cucamonga, where he is recovering from gunshot wounds he sustained in the rampage.
Ciancia, who wore a large bandage over his throat, spoke only briefly at Thursday’s hearing. In a hoarse voice, he said “not guilty” when asked how he would plead. At a Dec. 4 appearance, Bristow denied bail for Ciancia, citing the potential of him being a flight risk and posing a danger to the community. If convicted, Ciancia could face life in prison or the death penalty.
JERUSALEM
Israeli military confirms ‘direct hits’ on two targets
The Israeli military says it has carried out airstrikes on two targets in the Gaza Strip in response to a pair of rocket attacks.
The army said Thursday’s airstrikes targeted a weapons manufacturing facility and a weapons storage facility. It says “direct hits were confirmed.” Palestinian officials say there were no injuries. The attacks came hours after Palestinian militants fired two rockets into southern Israel. No injuries were reported.
SHANGHAI
Elderly and children warned to avoid polluted smog
Shanghai warned children and the elderly to stay indoors as smog enveloped China’s commercial hub, sending levels of the worst pollutants surging to more than 15 times World Health Organization guidelines.
– From news service reports
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