oddly enough

oddly enough

Man sentenced in case solved by beer-can DNA

GREENSBURG, Pa.

A western Pennsylvania man linked to an arson when his DNA was found on a discarded beer can at the scene will spend five to 10 years in prison.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports 61-year-old John Kimmel of Uniontown was scheduled for trial when he instead took an 11th-hour plea bargain Tuesday and immediately was sentenced by Westmoreland County Judge John Blahovec.

Kimmel was arrested more than two years ago for setting fire to the home in March 2009 to cover up the fact that he had been stealing items from the East Huntingdon Township residence.

Witnesses saw a man who threw away a beer can nearby and other evidence led police to question Kimmel. Officers then matched DNA on the discarded can to other used beer cans at Kimmel’s house.

Official fed up seeing name misspelled

CLEVELAND

The top county official in Cleveland has had enough of seeing his name misspelled on official documents.

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald has sent a memo reminding his senior staff that the “g” in FitzGerald is capitalized. FitzGerald’s administrative assistant warns in the memo that her boss will no longer sign letters, contracts and other papers on which his name is incorrect.

The Plain Dealer reports important state and federal documents could be rejected over a faulty name.

Documents with “FitzGerald” misspelled will now be returned to the county employee who submitted them.

FitzGerald’s press secretary confesses that where the “g” gaffe is concerned, “We’ve all done it.”

Associated Press