FEMALE SUSPECT NABBED IN MEXICO SERIAL KILLINGS

Female suspect nabbedin Mexico serial killings
MEXICO CITY -- Juana Barraza, above, a suspect in the serial killings of elderly women, stands behind a bust the police used to help find her. Mexico City police had two serial killing suspects in custody Thursday, saying they have solved the capital's infamous "Little Old Lady Killer" case and have broken another string of murders. Barraza is a female wrestler who allegedly earned the trust of elderly women, then strangled them. The other suspect is a former soldier accused of luring gay men from bars and killing them. Authorities said Barraza, 48, was caught fleeing a house Wednesday where an 82-year-old woman had been strangled with a stethoscope. Prosecutors said they have evidence implicating Barraza as the notorious "Mataviejitas," or "Little Old Lady Killer," suspected in the slayings of at least 10 elderly women in the past two years. Raul Osiel Marroquin, 29, was arrested earlier in the week in the killings of four homosexual men in the capital, police said. Both suspects confessed killing at least some of the victims
Battle over nominee Alitoheats up in Washington
WASHINGTON -- Die-hard Democratic critics of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito threatened Thursday to block a vote on his confirmation, and Republicans countered with a move designed to force his approval by early next week. It is time to establish an end point" in the debate over President Bush's selection to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, said Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., said he and other Democrats had refused to agree to a timetable for ending debate. "There's some division in our caucus," he conceded. Democratic leader Harry Reid signaled as much in remarks on the Senate floor. He offered no support for Kennedy, John Kerry and others who are trying to block the vote with a filibuster in a last stand against Alito's confirmation. "There's been adequate time for people to debate," Reid said. Alito, 55 and a 15-year veteran of the federal appeals court, has well over 50 votes for confirmation.
Government data showmercury danger in tuna
CHICAGO -- Newly released government data provide the best evidence to date that some cans of light tuna -- one of America's favorite seafoods -- contain high levels of mercury. Testing by the Food and Drug Administration found that 6 percent of canned light tuna samples contained large amounts of mercury, a toxic metal that can cause learning disabilities in children and neurological problems in adults. The findings are significant because the government has repeatedly stated that canned light tuna is low in mercury and a good choice for pregnant women and young children. FDA also found high mercury levels in samples of Chilean sea bass, which is often sold in high-end restaurants. Previously, the FDA had tested only one sample of the fish. And high levels were detected in big-eye tuna, a species often sold as ahi tuna and served in sushi. No federal warnings exist for either fish, even though the average mercury level detected in the FDA tests was above the average in albacore tuna, which the government tells pregnant women and young children to limit eating.
Judge increases sentencefor Vt. child molester
BURLINGTON, Vt. -- A judge vilified as soft on crime by bloggers, TV commentators and politicians for giving a child molester just 60 days in jail increased the sentence Thursday to three to 10 years behind bars. Vermont District Judge Edward Cashman said he decided to impose the longer sentence because state officials reversed course and agreed to provide sex-offender treatment to 34-year-old Mark Hulett in prison. At the time the judge imposed the original sentence Jan. 4, Hulett had been ruled ineligible for treatment until he got out of prison. Cashman said the lighter sentence was the only way to make sure Hulett got prompt treatment. Hulett, 34, pleaded guilty to charges that he had sexual contact with a girl during a four-year period beginning when she was 6.
Vindicator wire services