Michigan

DaimlerChrysler recalls 430,000 PT Cruisers

DaimlerChrysler is recalling 438,391 PT Cruisers because of a flaw that can cause a fire under the hood.

Curtrise Garner, a spokeswoman for the automaker, said there had been nine reports of fires but no injuries or deaths.

The recall covers PT Cruisers from model years 2001 to 2005.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday that a high-pressure power steering hose could loosen and come into contact with other parts of the vehicle. If the hose is punctured and power steering fuel leaks out, a fire can start.

Oklahoma

Nichols attorneys make case for life in prison

Attorneys for bombing conspirator Terry Nichols on Friday listed more than 20 mitigating factors they want to present jurors considering whether to sentence Nichols to life in prison, or lethal injection.

For example, the attorneys said, the jury should consider that Nichols believes in God and shows “a great chance for redemption.”

Another mitigating factor states: “Terry Nichols tries to help people. A cooperative, helpful person would be a stabilizing influence in prison.”

Defense attorneys met with Judge Steven Taylor without the jury present to consider what factors jurors will be allowed to consider as mitigation for his state murder convictions in the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building.

ST. LOUIS

Buses collide; 3 adults, a dozen children injured

A school bus and a passenger bus collided Friday in downtown St. Louis, sending them crashing onto the grounds of a historic courthouse and injuring three adults and about a dozen children.

One of the victims was a man walking his dog, struck by one or both of the buses. He was in critical condition; his dog was killed. Both bus drivers also were injured.

The injured children appeared to suffer mostly cuts and bruises. Paramedics initially treated them in the lobby of a bank near the accident scene.

Police aren’t sure what caused the accident, but some witnesses, including Clarissa McCray, 12, a student on the school bus, said the Metro bus ran a red light.