Sharpton demands release of Haitians detained in Florida

Sharpton demandsrelease of Haitiansdetained in Florida
MIAMI -- The Rev. Al Sharpton called the treatment of more than 200 Haitian migrants detained in South Florida a "moral outrage" Saturday, and pledged to organize rallies and marches to demand their release.
A boat carrying over 200 Haitians reached Florida shores last week. Dozens of men, women and children on board the wooden freighter plunged into shallow waters and scrambled onto a major highway.
"We are here because we think it is a moral outrage, what occurred off the shore of Miami last week," Sharpton said. "This is a human rights issue, not an immigration issue."
Sharpton had originally planned a march to demand the immigrants' release; no march took place, however, and organizers offered no explanation.
Instead, Sharpton held a news conference, saying Haitians should be treated like other immigrants who come to the United States.
Unlike Cubans who reach dry land, Haitian immigrants usually are denied asylum in the United States and sent back to their homeland, which is in economic and political crisis.
"This is about an administration that has talked out of both sides of its mouth -- open door for some, closed door for Haitians," Sharpton said. "There is no good reason for a separate policy."
Kan. jury recommendsdeath for suspect
OLATHE, Kan. -- Jurors recommended the death penalty Saturday for a man convicted of killing three women, including two whose bodies were found in barrels on his rural property.
John Robinson Sr. was convicted Tuesday of two counts of capital murder in the deaths of the two women -- with whom prosecutors say he had sadomasochistic sexual relationships -- and one count of first-degree murder in the case of a woman whose body was never found.
Robinson sat rocking in his chair with his hand on his face but showed little emotion as the verdict was read.
Judge John Anderson III will formally sentence Robinson in a few months.
Robinson, 58, was convicted for the murders of Suzette Trouten, 27, and Izabela Lewicka, 21. Both women were killed after being lured to Kansas by Robinson to engage in sadomasochistic sexual relations.
Robinson was also convicted of first-degree murder for the 1985 death of Lisa Stasi, 19. Her body was never found.