Briefly

Washington, D.C.

Bush calls for passage of energy bill

President Bush issued a vigorous call Wednesday for enactment of his energy plan, arguing that it offers a balanced approach for securing the nation’s energy future while warning that “tempers will really rise if Congress doesn’t pass” the measure.

Speaking before The Energy Efficiency Forum, an annual meeting of energy industry and government officials, Bush said that “now is the time to stop the debate and the partisan bickering and pass an energy bill.”

Bush’s energy agenda has languished since early in his first term, the victim of sharp partisan and regional disagreements over the impact of its provisions. His proposal would open environmentally sensitive areas to oil exploration and offer tax breaks to spur development of cleaner fuels, while encouraging construction of new oil refineries and nuclear power plants for the first time in three decades.

Florida

No trauma found on child at Disney World

An autopsy on a 4-year-old boy who died after passing out on a Walt Disney World spaceship ride found no trauma, and more tests will be conducted to determine a cause of death, officials said.

Daudi Bamuwamye of Sellersville, Pa., passed out Monday on the “Mission: Space” ride, which simulates a rocket launch and trip to Mars. The attraction is so intense that it has motion sickness bags, and several riders have been treated for chest pain.

During the ride, Daudi’s mother, Agnes, noticed that his body was rigid and that his legs were stretched straight out, but she thought he was just frightened, according to a sheriff’s report.

When the ride ended, the victim was limp and unresponsive, and he could not be revived.

Connecticut

Former state trooper kills wife at courthouse

A former state trooper killed his estranged wife, wounded her divorce lawyer and then shot himself Wednesday outside the courthouse where they were to appear for a hearing, law enforcement officials said.

Donna Bochicchio, 43, was pronounced dead on the top deck of a parking garage behind Middletown Superior Court. Retired trooper Michael Bochicchio Jr., 47, was listed in critical condition.

Attorney Julie Porzio, 42, who represented Donna Bochicchio, was listed in serious but stable condition.

According to court records, Michael Bochicchio filed for divorce in 2003; the couple had been married since 1988. They had been fighting over money and the custody of their two children.

A court order dated Wednesday grants custody of the 12-year-old girl and 14-year-old boy to Donna Bochicchio’s family.

Mississippi

Klansman’s trial begins for 1964 slayings

A Ku Klux Klansman went on trial Wednesday in the 1964 slayings of three civil rights workers, with prosecutors telling the jury he organized carloads of Klansmen who chased the victims down, killed them and buried their bodies.

Mississippi Atty. Gen. Jim Hood’s opening statement came shortly after 17 jurors – 13 white and four black – were seated for the trial of Edgar Ray Killen, 80.

Defense attorney Mitch Moran denied that Killen was a leader in planning the attack. He did not dispute that Killen was a member of the Klan at the time of the slayings of Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman and James Chaney, but he said Klan membership alone did not make him guilty of murder.

“The Klan’s not on trial here. Being a member of the Klan is not on trial here,” Moran said.

Washington, D.C.

House rejects action on medical marijuana

Yes, the government can make a federal case out of medical marijuana use, the House said Wednesday.

Less than a week ago, the Supreme Court ruled that the government can prosecute medical marijuana users, even when state laws permit doctor-prescribed use of the drug. In response, the House rejected a bid by advocates to undercut the decision.

By a 264-161 vote, the House turned down an amendment that would have blocked the Justice Department from prosecuting people in the 10 states where the practice is legal.