Iowa

Indictment issued in mailbox bombings

A federal grand jury on Wednesday indicted a 21-year-old college student accused of placing pipe bombs in five states, injuring six people.

Luke Helder of Pine Island, Minn., was scheduled to be arraigned Friday in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids.

Authorities say that Helder planted pipe bombs in 18 mailboxes. Six detonated, injuring four letter carriers and two Iowa women last month.

Helder was indicted on two counts: using an explosive to damage personal property, which resulted in injury to a person; and using, carrying, and possessing a pipe bomb during a crime of violence and destruction of a mailbox.

Helder also faces federal charges in another Iowa federal court and in Illinois and Nebraska.

He is being detained without bail in the Linn County Jail.

Florida

Weather holds out for shuttle launch

Space shuttle Endeavour roared into orbit Wednesday on a flight to deliver new residents to the international space station, following nearly a week’s delay.

The launch had been postponed first by thunderstorms, then by a leaky valve. The weather finally cooperated late Wednesday afternoon, and the shuttle climbed through low, puffy clouds on its way to space.

It was sure to be welcome news to the three space station men, in orbit for six long months. They were passing 240 miles above the Indian Ocean near Australia, and out of communication, when Endeavour and its crew of seven took off.

The shuttle is due to arrive Friday at the space station.

California

Parole hearing ordered for Manson follower

A judge in San Bernardino ordered a new parole hearing for former Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten, saying her good behavior behind bars should be considered.

Superior Court Judge Bob N. Krug also suggested Monday that the state Board of Prison Terms provide further guidance on other deeds Van Houten can do to earn her freedom.

The judge said last month that the board had not given specific reasons for denying parole to Van Houten, who was convicted of a double slaying in the 1960s.

The state board has rejected parole for Van Houten 13 times, most recently in June 2000. Board members said she could benefit from further therapy in prison.

Van Houten, now 52, was a teen-ager when she was convicted in the slayings of Leno and Rosemary La Bianca. She was a part of the Charles Manson cult that also murdered pregnant actress Sharon Tate and four others in the summer of 1969 one of California’s most notorious crimes.

Los Angeles

Pool death ruled accidental drowning

A boy whose body was found in the pool of a mansion two days after he was reported missing from a party drowned accidentally, a coroner determined Wednesday.

The discovery of the body after repeated searches of the area since Sunday initially led Deputy Police Chief Dave Kalish to say it appeared the body may have been placed in the pool later.

But an autopsy showed 7-year-old Paolo Ayala drowned about the time he was reported missing, coroner’s chief of operations Craig Harvey said Wednesday.

Harvey added that there was no evidence the body had been moved.

Police, along with the 10 adults and 15 children at the birthday party, failed to spot the body until Tuesday. Kalish said Wednesday that the body was apparently camouflaged by a chalky substance stirred up from the pool’s bottom and sides.