Police say kiss led to double slaying

Kansas City, Mo. ” A man acquitted of murder in April and recently released from prison has been charged with killing his wife and brother after seeing them kiss.

Clay County prosecutors on Saturday charged Vincent D. Cooley, 24, with two counts each of first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the deaths Friday of Melody Cooley, 21, and Antoine Cooley, 19.

According to police, Vincent Cooley said he saw his wife kissing his brother late Friday. Antoine Cooley had moved in with the couple after his recent release from jail.

Police say Vincent Cooley shot Antoine, then slit his wife’s throat.

Vincent Cooley was charged in 1999 in the murder of Clifton Aaron, 21. At trial, Cooley admitted he killed Aaron after the two had smoked PCP. He contended it was self-defense. Jurors found him not guilty of second-degree murder. He was convicted of possessing PCP and a Jackson County judge sentenced Cooley to 16 years.

Pilot’s estate sues over fatal crash

Wichita ” The estate of a Bombardier test pilot has sued four manufacturers over a fatal business jet crash.

The lawsuit, filed in Sedgwick County District Court by the estate of Bryan Irelan, names as defendants Rockwell Collins Inc., Parker Hannifin Corp., Honeywell and Lucas Aerospace Power Equipment Corp. Three “John Does” also are listed as defendants.

Irelan, 33, was killed Oct. 10, 2000, when a Bombardier Challenger 604 business jet crashed on takeoff on a test flight from Wichita Mid-Continent Airport.

Flight engineer David Riggs, 48, also died in the crash, while co-pilot Eric Fiore, 43, died of his injuries 36 days later.

The lawsuit, which seeks damages of more than $75,000, alleges defective equipment including electronics, power-control and flight-control units, and an air data computer.

The National Transportation Safety Board has not yet released a report on the cause of the crash.

Vandalism apparent cause of fuel spill

Topeka ” Vandals are suspected of causing at least 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel to spill from at least one train engine and flow into a creek.

Topeka Fire Department spokesman Greg Bailey said a hazardous materials crew contained the spill Friday in Shunganunga Creek before it reached the Kansas River. The cleanup was expected to continue through the weekend.

The spill originated from a storage yard where 20 locomotive engines were parked, said Steve Forsberg, a spokesman for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp.

He said no one was able to find a natural source for the leak, and he suspects someone was siphoning.

Officials did not expect the spill to affect wildlife.