Georgia

Crematory operator sentenced to 12 years

Former crematory operator Ray Brent Marsh was sentenced to 12 years in prison Monday after relatives of some of the 334 people whose bodies he left to decay on his property confronted him on the stand about why he did it.

After nearly two dozen relatives spoke for more than six hours, Marsh stood up and apologized.

“I can’t give you the answers that you want, but I can apologize,” he said, before promising to write a letter of apology to all the families that would “tell more.”

Instead of performing cremations, Marsh, former operator of the Tri-State Crematory in northwest Georgia, dumped the bodies behind his house and crammed them into burial vaults. He gave cement dust to the relatives instead of the ashes of their loved ones.

Marsh has pleaded guilty to 787 counts.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Head of Indian Affairs resigns after 1 year

Dave Anderson is resigning as head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs after just one year on the job, saying he can do more to help American Indians by working in the private sector.

The resignation is effective Feb. 12.

Anderson was traveling Monday and unavailable for comment, said BIA spokeswoman Nedra Darling.

Connecticut

Execution delayed again for confessed murderer

State officials canceled plans Monday to execute a serial killer after new evidence emerged that his attorney said raises questions about his mental competency.

Michael Ross had been scheduled to become the first person in 45 years to be executed in New England.

The execution was first scheduled for Wednesday and was postponed three times as new court challenges emerged. It was set for 9 p.m. Monday before being canceled.

Ross, a 45-year-old Cornell University graduate, has said he wants to die to end the pain for the families of his victims.

But the attorney hired by Ross to expedite his execution now says the new evidence raises questions about his competency to “volunteer” to be executed.

Atlanta

Habitat for Humanity fires its founder

Habitat for Humanity International said Monday it fired its founder after months of dispute over allegations of inappropriate conduct toward a female staffer.

In a statement, the board’s executive committee said it found insufficient evidence to substantiate the sexual harassment allegations, but it cited Millard Fuller’s lack of cooperation with the investigation.

Officials also fired Fuller’s wife, Linda, who co-founded organization with him 28 years ago.

Fuller called the announcement “an unfortunate turn of events.”