CALIFORNIA
Library cards weighed as illegal-immigrant IDs
LOS ANGELES — Illegal immigrants in California’s largest city could use library cards to open bank accounts and access an array of city services under a plan being considered by city officials.
Under the plan, anyone with proof of Los Angeles residency could get a library card, the Los Angeles Times reported. The idea is to provide a form of ID to those who cannot get a driver’s license because of their immigration status.
The City Council unanimously voted recently to consider the proposal, which would have Los Angeles join a growing number of cities across the nation that offer various forms of identification to illegal immigrants and others who cannot get driver’s licenses because of their immigration status. San Francisco and Oakland have adopted similar measures.
IDAHO
Some state abortion laws may be unconstitutional
BOISE — The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says some Idaho abortion laws are likely unconstitutional, including one barring medication-induced abortions. But the judges didn’t rule on Idaho’s fetal-pain law, saying a woman who sued over the law doesn’t have standing to challenge it.
Jennie McCormack was thought to be the first person in the nation to sue over bans on abortions after 20 weeks, based on the premise that the fetus might feel pain. Idaho and several other states have the bans.
Ms. McCormack, of Pocatello, sued after she was charged with using medication to end a pregnancy that was more than five months along. Idaho requires that health professionals perform abortions.
NEW YORK
New Kennedy attorneys for impaired-driving case
ARMONK — Kerry Kennedy, accused of driving while impaired with drugs, has new attorneys representing her.
The daughter of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and niece of President John F. Kennedy appeared in North Castle Town Court on Tuesday with attorneys Gerald Lefcourt and William Aronwald. They asked for an adjournment so they could have more time to familiarize themselves with the case.
The case was reset for Nov. 20.
Ms. Kennedy was arrested July 13. Her vehicle had swerved across Interstate 684 in North Castle and swiped a tractor-trailer.
Police said she failed several sobriety tests and was swaying and slurring her speech.
Outside court on July 18, Ms. Kennedy said her doctors thought the July 11 accident was caused by a seizure. She said their tests found no alcohol, recreational drugs or prescription medication in her system.
MICHIGAN
Autopsy: Man killed self after shooting officer
WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — A business executive who gunned down a police officer responding to a trouble call at his suburban Detroit house committed suicide, an autopsy found Tuesday.
Ricky Coley, 50, killed himself with a gunshot to the mouth, according to a report by Dr. Cheryl Loewe of the Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Authorities said Coley fired through a wall and door as police approached his room Sunday night, killing Officer Pat O’Rourke and precipitating a 20-hour standoff that ended Monday with Coley found dead in a weapons-strewn bedroom.
The businessman shot Officer O’Rourke as officers responded to a report of a possible suicide attempt at his home, authorities said.
Coley and his wife had recently divorced, and federal authorities filed a lawsuit accusing him of mishandling employees’ insurance funds.
ALABAMA
Ex-professor pleads to killing colleagues
BIRMINGHAM — A former professor pleaded guilty Tuesday to fatally shooting three colleagues and wounding three others during a faculty meeting at the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2010, court officials said.
Amy Bishop, 47, pleaded guilty to one count of capital murder involving two or more people and three counts of attempted murder. She had earlier pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
Prosecutors agreed to recommend a sentence of life without parole for the capital charge, and three life sentences for the attempted murder charges.
Prosecutors say the former biology professor on Feb. 12, 2010, pulled a gun out of her purse and opened fire at the meeting.
From wire dispatches and staff reports
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