newsmakers

newsmakers

‘American Sniper’ widow has new book

DALLAS

The widow of famed “American Sniper” author Chris Kyle says in her upcoming book that she struggled with the idea of whether her husband’s killer should be executed.

Taya Kyle writes in “American Wife,” which will be published next week by William Morrow, that she concluded she would be fine with either the death penalty or life in prison. “That was as far as I could go toward forgiveness,” she wrote.

Kyle describes her life with the famed former Navy SEAL sniper and coping after his 2013 death at a Texas gun range. The Associated Press purchased an early copy of the book, written with Jim DeFelice, who also co-authored her husband’s best-selling memoir of his Iraq tours that was turned into an Oscar-nominated movie.

Kyle and his friend, Chad Littlefield, were shot to death by former Marine Eddie Ray Routh, whose mother had asked Kyle to help him. The prosecutor decided not to seek the death penalty, so Routh was sentenced automatically to life in prison after his capital murder conviction in February.

‘Top Chef’ judge Simmons joins NY school nutrition effort

NEW YORK

“Top Chef” judge Gail Simmons is joining anti-hunger advocates and the officials who serve 850,000 New York City school meals a day to raise awareness of childhood-nutrition issues.

The advocates met at a Manhattan public school Wednesday as cafeteria workers served the children a breakfast that included oatmeal and fresh fruit. They said that menu could be in jeopardy if Congress changes the rules when it reauthorizes the Child Nutrition Act this summer.

The food-rescue group City Harvest is organizing a letter-writing campaign to urge Congress to pass legislation that doesn’t cut funding or water down standards for school meals.

Simmons says she became aware of City Harvest when she worked as a restaurant line cook. Chefs there saved food for City Harvest to take to soup kitchens.

Judge sets July trial for Knight’s murder case

LOS ANGELES

A judge Thursday set a July trial date for a murder case against Marion “Suge” Knight that was filed after the former rap-music mogul ran over two men earlier this year.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Ronald Coen said Knight’s trial will begin July 7 unless a motion is made to continue it for a later date. He set aside 16 court days to hear the case and said potential jurors will be pre-screened about their ability to serve before they get to the courtroom.

Knight pleaded not guilty to murder, attempted murder and hit-and-run charges filed after he killed one man and seriously injured another with his pickup outside a Compton burger stand in January.

His attorney has said Knight was fleeing an ambush when he hit the men.

Associated Press