Denver

Rape suspect makes first court appearance

A serial rape suspect who was arrested after a manhunt and a high-speed chase appeared in court Sunday and was told he is under investigation for charges including sexual assault and kidnapping.

Brent J. Brents, 35, who was released by Aurora police last fall even though he allegedly had admitted abusing a boy, is suspected of sexually assaulting at least five women and girls in Denver this month and of raping another woman in October.

Formal charges had not yet been filed, but Brents appeared Sunday before Denver County Magistrate Julie Anderson, who advised him that his bail had been set at $25 million.

Police encouraged other possible victims to come forward.

“We have significant reason to believe that there are many, many additional victims,” said Dave Fisher, the police department’s chief of investigations.

North Carolina

Edwards won’t rule out run for White House

Former vice presidential candidate John Edwards will not talk about whether he plans to run for the White House in 2008, but he is not pledging to stand aside if running mate John Kerry tries again.

Edwards said in an interview aired Sunday on ABC’s “This Week” that he and Kerry have talked often since they lost in November to President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

“Not only are John Kerry and I friends, our families are close,” Edwards said. “I have enormous respect for him. But I’ll decide what’s the right thing to do based on what’s going on with my own family.”

Edwards, a former senator from North Carolina, also discussed his wife’s health. Elizabeth Edwards, he said, is doing well in her fight against breast cancer.

Utah

Hiker ‘skis’ down avalanche

A hiker fell about 1,000 feet down a mountainside near Mona, riding an avalanche feet-first — and suffered only minor injuries.

“Extremely lucky,” said Juab County Sheriff Alden Orme.

Mark Thomas and two companions were hiking Saturday on a ridge near Mount Nebo when snow gave way beneath them, they told police.

His friends did not fall, but Thomas slid about 1,000 feet, triggering an avalanche, Orme said.

Thomas, 21, of Salt Lake City, told police that he rode the cascading snow feet-first, and came to a stop partially buried in a canyon.

His friends went for help, but while they were gone Thomas dug himself out of the snow. He set out walking out of the canyon and met rescuers on their way up the mountain.

Thomas had a minor back injury and frostbitten feet, police said.