Virginia

Jury to begin deliberations in D.C. sniper sentencing

The life of John Allen Muhammad was placed Thursday night into the hands of a jury that must reconcile two conflicting portraits of the convicted sniper — one of a gentle and polite man who loved his children and one of a remorseless killer who orchestrated a deadly rampage that terrified millions.

Prosecutors said Muhammad is “the worst of the worst” — exactly the sort of person for whom the death penalty is reserved, and they asked the jury to impose that ultimate punishment. The jury’s other option is life in prison without the possibility of parole. The panel will begin deliberations this morning.

Muhammad was convicted earlier this week of the shootings that left 10 dead and three wounded last October in the Washington, D.C., region.

Washington, D.C.

Interior Department to open Alaskan slope to drilling

The Bush administration intends to open 8.8 million acres of Alaska’s North Slope to oil and gas development, including areas considered environmentally sensitive.

The Interior Department was to announce the oil and gas leasing plan today, the day the Senate was taking a critical vote on a massive energy bill endorsed by President Bush but denying him his top energy priority — opening an Alaskan wildlife refuge to drilling.

None of the 8.8 million acres is in the wildlife refuge, but they do include some sensitive areas in Alaska that are important for the protection of migratory birds, whales and wildlife.

Washington, D.C.

Congress OKs new guidelines for contact lens prescriptions

People who wear contact lenses will be able to shop for the best price under legislation the Senate approved Thursday that gives them a right to their prescriptions.

Under the legislation, eye doctors would be required to provide people who wear contact lenses with their prescriptions. They also are banned from charging a fee for providing a copy of the prescription to a patient.

The Senate approved the legislation by voice vote Thursday. The House passed it Wednesday. It now goes to President Bush.

San Francisco

Court reinstates death suit against gun industry

A federal appeals court Thursday reinstated a wrongful death lawsuit against the gun industry in a decision expected to re-ignite debate over legislation immunizing gun makers from being sued for crimes committed with their products.

More than 30 states have laws exempting gun manufacturers and distributors from suits, although few ban lawsuits by local or state governments and victims of gun violence. The House in April passed a bill to extend a ban on such suits nationwide.