Posted on Wed, Jun. 18, 2008
Va. Tech families reach settlement
RICHMOND, Va. - A judge approved an $11 million state settlement yesterday with the families of most victims in the April 2007 Virginia Tech slayings that will avert a court battle over whether anyone but the gunman was to blame.
Families of 24 victims - out of 32 killed by Seung-Hui Cho - will be compensated under the settlement approved by Circuit Court Judge Theodore J. Markow. Four families agreed to the settlement but were not prepared to go before the judge yesterday. Four other families did not participate.
The settlement also covers 18 people who were injured.
Peter Grenier, an attorney for many families, called the settlement "the most acceptable and most reasonable outcome we could expect" given Virginia's $100,000 limit on liability in such cases.
- AP
Ky. doctor out as next HHS leader
WASHINGTON - Sen. Jim Bunning (R., Ky.), a staunch supporter of surgeon general nominee James W. Holsinger Jr., suggested yesterday that the doctor's quest for the top U.S. medical post is at an end.
During a telephone news conference, Bunning said he doubted the nomination would move forward. He cited the Democratic leadership's blockage of several Bush administration-backed judicial appointments. "They are not moving any positions of consequence," he said.
Holsinger, a cardiologist and professor at the University of Kentucky's College of Public Health, has been criticized by gay-rights groups and public-health experts for a 1991 paper he wrote that characterized gay sex as unnatural. He did not return calls seeking comment. Both the White House and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said his nomination is still alive.
- McClatchy Newspapers
State searches Md. mayor's home
BALTIMORE - State investigators who have been probing Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon's financial dealings spent more than seven hours yesterday searching her home.
Her attorney, Dale Kelberman, said investigators arrived about 6:30 a.m. and left at 1:40 p.m. with six boxes and a large cooler. Dixon said she has been cooperating with prosecutors and has "no idea" what they were looking for.
The mayor, who has previously called the investigation a "witch hunt," said she did not "have anything to hide."
For more than two years, prosecutors have been probing her financial dealings when she was City Council president. Dixon maintains she did nothing wrong, and the Baltimore City Board of Ethics cleared her. Prosecutors declined to comment.
- AP
Elsewhere:
Rep. William Jefferson (D., La.), who is facing trial on federal corruption charges, said yesterday that he would seek election to a 10th term.
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