California

Jury selection resumes in Michael Jackson trial

Pop star Michael Jackson better live up to his song “I’ll Be There” today when he’s due back in court to resume jury selection in his child-molestation trial in Santa Maria, jury experts say.

More than 100 potential jurors, some already miffed at being sent home last week when the singer called out sick with the flu, have been ordered back to court today for another round of questioning.

“He’s still not feeling 100 percent, but I expect you’ll see him in court,” Jackson spokeswoman Raymone Bain said Monday.

If Jackson wants to avoid ticking off jurors, he should always show up — and on time, experts said.

“Jurors don’t like delays. He’s really expending a lot of good will very early on,” said Loyola Law School professor Laurie Levenson.

Since Jackson’s trial officially began Jan. 31, it has been delayed twice — first by the death of defense lawyer Tom Mesereau’s sister and then by the entertainer’s “flulike illness.”

Pennsylvania

Chain-saw attacker killed by police

A man was shot and killed by police Monday after he ignored pepper spray and officers’ commands and attacked a state trooper with a chain saw, authorities in Wilkes-Barre said.

At least 13 bullets struck William Henkle after state and local officers who had surrounded him opened fire, police said.

Henkle, 40, allegedly struck Trooper Michael Hartzel in the shoulder, lower back and buttocks with the saw. The trooper was treated for minor injuries at a hospital and released.

Henkle called 911 early Monday and said he was having a heart attack, but when police and an ambulance arrived, he was outside the house with the chain saw running, said Capt. Kenneth Hill, commander of the state police barracks at Wyoming.

About 10 state and local officers formed a semicircle around Henkle and ordered him to drop the chain saw, but he revved the saw and refused to put it down, Hill said.

Police said they used pepper spray, then fired when Henkle lunged at Hartzel.

Kansas City, Mo.

Justice to receive for Truman award

Justice Sandra Day O’Connor has been chosen to receive the 2005 Harry S. Truman Good Neighbor Award, becoming the first honoree from the U.S. Supreme Court since Chief Justice Earl Warren received the first award in 1973.

The award is bestowed by the Truman Good Neighbor Award Foundation, which was created to recognize people in public life who have improved the community and the country through citizenship, patriotism, self-reliance and service.

Foundation President Karl Zobrist announced O’Connor’s selection Monday, citing her “unique ability to bridge the gap on many difficult issues that divide our society.”

O’Connor will receive the award May 6 at a Kansas City luncheon marking Truman’s 121st birthday.