During talks, N. Korea demands energy aid

During talks, N. Koreademands energy aid
BEIJING -- North Korea presented a massive demand for energy aid today at six-nation talks as Washington insisted that the North give up nuclear weapons development, Japanese news reports said.
The North wants the equivalent of 2 million kilowatts of power per year in exchange for freezing work on its nuclear program, the Kyodo News agency reported, citing diplomatic sources on the second day of talks in the Chinese capital.
It wasn't clear whether Washington would even discuss such a request, since the United States says the North must commit to dismantling the program, not just freezing development.
The United States offered its first detailed proposal for ending the dispute Wednesday, offering the North a step-by-step plan that would provide energy aid and security guarantees in exchange for the dismantling of the nuclear program.
Both Japan and South Korea say they would consider giving the North fuel oil if it freezes its nuclear program as a step toward its eventual dismantling. The United States says it wouldn't provide energy assistance under its proposal.
Also today, U.S. and North Korean envoys held a rare one-on-one meeting at a Chinese government guesthouse, according to a U.S. Embassy spokeswoman, who spoke on condition of anonymity. She didn't immediately have any details of the discussions.
Dismissed Peterson juror:I'd have voted innocent
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. -- Within moments of being dismissed, a juror in the Scott Peterson murder trial weighed in how he would have voted after hearing testimony so far: innocent.
Justin Falconer, replaced Wednesday by an alternate, told reporters outside the courtroom that the prosecution failed to convince him that Peterson killed his pregnant wife, Laci.
"There's no way that you could possibly convict him," said Falconer, now free to discuss the case. "He'd be innocent, because the prosecution hasn't given us any reason to believe otherwise so far."
Falconer, a 28-year-old airport screener, wouldn't comment on what the other 11 jurors were saying about the case. The others each were questioned privately by Judge Alfred A. Delucchi.
After Falconer was dismissed, defense attorney Mark Geragos called for a mistrial, telling Delucchi that press coverage has tainted the case. The judge denied the request.
Authorities investigatearrest, beating in LA
LOS ANGELES -- Federal and state authorities are investigating the arrest of an unarmed black man who was repeatedly struck with an officer's flashlight, a situation that has sparked comparisons with the 1991 Rodney King beating.
The arrest, captured Wednesday by a TV news helicopter, showed an officer hitting the suspect 11 times with a metal flashlight after it appeared the man had surrendered after a car chase.
The incident occurred just a week after the LAPD said it had successfully implemented reforms mandated by a federal consent decree after the Justice Department identified a "pattern and practice" of civil rights violations by the LAPD.
Police said the man was not seriously injured but did complain that he had been struck in the head and suffered an injury to his nose. He was treated at a nearby hospital.
Deputy Chief Earl Paysinger said the police would investigate to "thoroughly unpeel the layers of this situation until we get to the truth." The FBI and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office also opened investigations.
A number of community activists expressed outrage over the situation and demanded justice. Civil-rights activist Najee Ali compared the case to the 1991 beating of black motorist Rodney King.
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Associated Press