Colorado

Air Force Academy begins steroid testing

Air Force Academy officials have begun random testing for steroids because of growing concern about the nationwide use of the strength-enhancing drugs, especially among athletes and young people.

The introduction of random steroid testing last month coincided with steroid-related charges against cadets Eric M. Swartz and Jonathan S. Belkowitz and football players Matthew Ward and Overton Spence Jr. A fifth steroid investigation continues, spokesman Johnny Whitaker said.

Testing for steroids goes beyond normal drug testing at other military bases.

“The population could have a higher propensity for the use of anabolic steroids, especially in the athletics area,” said Col. Jim Riggins, vice commander of the 10th Air Base Wing.

California

Testimony disputed in Scott Peterson trial

Lawyers in Scott Peterson’s murder trial Wednesday argued about previous testimony that defense attorneys said showed a detective lied.

Judge Alfred Delucchi had planned to discuss a motion on that issue and other matters behind closed doors, but appeals from media lawyers resulted in a public debate.

In the process, Delucchi revealed in court — without the jury present — two topics at issue: whether a detective fabricated parts of his testimony and the admissibility of television interviews Peterson took part in before his arrest.

The judge deferred a decision, instead scheduling a future hearing to discuss whether lawyers could argue their positions publicly without revealing sensitive information.

Prosecutors allege Peterson murdered his pregnant wife on or around Dec. 24, 2002.

New Jersey

Residents evacuated for flooding cleanup

Water receded Wednesday from some communities that were hardest hit by flooding, but more residents were evacuated because of fears of contamination or electrical short-circuits.

No serious injuries were reported, but floodwater damaged hundreds of houses, stalled cars, breached small dams and closed highways and smaller roads in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland.

As many as 200 people were told to leave their homes Wednesday morning in Lumberton because of contaminated water and a threat of electrocutions from short circuits, an official said.

Washington, D.C.

Fourth Guantanamo detainee charged

The government has charged a Yemeni detained at the naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in connection with terror allegations, the Pentagon announced Wednesday.

Salim Ahmed Hamdan is the fourth prisoner at Guantanamo to face charges that would send him to a military tribunal. He is charged with conspiracy to attack civilians, to murder and to commit terrorism.

His military lawyer, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Charlie Swift, has said Hamdan acknowledged being a driver within Osama bin Laden’s organization in Afghanistan before 9-11 but denied taking part in terrorist activities.

Ohio

Murderer’s wish for execution granted

A man was executed Wednesday after asking to be killed for shooting his girlfriend and their daughter, then refrigerating their bodies for a month in their apartment.

Stephen Vrabel, 47, was the second Ohio death-row inmate since 1999 to drop his appeals to speed his execution. He was pronounced dead at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility.

“I’d rather be dead than be alive in prison,” Vrabel, who had initially been found incompetent to stand trial, said in an interview Friday.