Chicago

2 federal judges warn more security needed

Two federal judges called for greater security Wednesday for their colleagues and families following the murders of a judge’s husband and 89-year-old mother.

“This horrible tragedy has got to serve as the basis for a substantial increase in security for judges and their families,” U.S. District Judge Wayne R. Andersen said. “The Internet is plastered with information about every one of us, and I fear, and my family certainly fears that these kinds of incidents are going to be repeated unless there is a very high priority on the safety of judges and their families.”

Judges in other courthouses were also talking Wednesday about the need for more security from criminals and terrorists.

David Weaver, administrator of the U.S. District Court in Detroit, said he met with the chief judge Wednesday and security was on the agenda, though he wouldn’t elaborate on the specifics.

California

Teen accused of killing with skateboard

A 13-year-old boy has been arrested in the killing of an 87-year-old man who was hit in the head with a skateboard, authorities in San Luis Obispo, Calif., said Wednesday.

The boy and a 12-year-old friend were taken into custody Tuesday after a brief pursuit on foot, police in the central California city said.

The 13-year-old was booked on suspicion of murder; the 12-year-old was arrested on suspicion of auto theft, Officer Rob Bryn said.

The investigation was triggered Monday evening when a police officer was flagged down and told that a motorist had been seen driving erratically, police said. The driver’s car was found abandoned and was traced to Gerald O’Malley, authorities said.

Officers went to O’Malley’s home at Village Mobile Home Park and found his body.

“We believe that the weapon that was used to hit Mr. O’Malley was a skateboard,” Capt. Dan Blanke said Wednesday.

Police were continuing to interview witnesses and were trying to determine whether other people were involved, Blanke said.

Florida

Media argue for access in right-to-die case

A Florida newspaper and television station argued Wednesday that the public has a right to know what is in a document filed by a Florida state agency hoping to intervene in a long-running right-to-die case.

Media General, owner of The Tampa Tribune and WFLA television, sued to get access to the Department of Children & Families document. The agency wants the document kept secret, citing a need to protect the privacy of witnesses.

Attorneys involved in the case have said DCF is looking into reports that Terri Schiavo — the 41-year-old woman at the center of a life-and-death legal battle between her husband and parents — was abused. The agency wants to delay removal of the feeding tube 60 days so it can investigate.

Terri Schiavo, 41, suffered brain damage 15 years ago and Judge George Greer has granted her husband, Michael Schiavo, permission on March 18 to disconnect the feeding tube that is keeping her alive.

Greer is expected to rule Thursday on the media request.

Oregon

AARP president wants Social Security options

AARP President Marie Smith challenged the Bush administration Wednesday to find alternatives to privatizing Social Security that will strengthen the system and avoid the risk of reducing benefits to an entire generation.

“Social Security is the only guaranteed, inflation-proof, lifelong benefit that millions of workers present and future can count on,” Smith said.

She told the forum at Portland Community College that it could cost as much as $2 trillion over 10 years to make the transition to private accounts.

“At a time when deficit figures are already at record numbers, it makes no sense,” Smith said, noting the administration predicted last month the federal deficit could reach a record $427 billion before the end of the current fiscal year.

President Bush has called for legislation to give individuals the ability to divert a portion of their Social Security payroll taxes into personal investment accounts.

AARP claims a membership of 36 million nationwide.