South Africa

‘Dr. Death’ acquitted of targeting blacks

A cardiologist who once ran South Africa’s chemical and biological warfare program was acquitted by a white judge Thursday of using the agency to find better ways to kill blacks, including Nelson Mandela.

Dr. Wouter Basson, dubbed “Dr. Death” by local media, was cleared of 46 counts of murder, fraud and drug dealing.

Prosecutors in Pretoria said they would appeal.

Basson was accused of directing the racist regime’s horrifying efforts to destroy its opponents. The program, code-named Project Coast, tried to create deadly bacteria and anti-fertility drugs that only would affect blacks, poisoned opponents’ clothing and stockpiled cholera, HIV and anthrax for use against “enemies,” witnesses testified.

Germany

U.S. soldier convicted of drowning two children

A U.S. soldier was convicted Thursday of drowning her two young children in the bathtub in what prosecutors said was an effort to get back at her husband, whom she suspected of being unfaithful.

Spc. Lillie Morgan, 22, of Marksville, La., faces life in prison when she is sentenced today.

An Army judge rejected defense arguments that the young mother was so mentally disturbed on Sept. 18 that she did not recognize she was killing 3-year-old Joshua and 2-month-old Jazmin at the family’s apartment in a military housing complex in Hanau, near Frankfurt.