National Roundup

Missouri: Drunk-to-keep-warm defense works for DWI suspect
JACKSON, Mo. (AP) — A southeast Missouri man has been acquitted of drunk driving after claiming that he consumed alcohol to keep warm after — but not before — he lost control of his vehicle on an icy road.

Thomas Drummond of Jackson told a court that he had been driving home after a night out with friends last February when his vehicle veered off the slick highway and into a culvert. Drummond says he was not intoxicated while driving, but that he was by the time emergency workers arrived more than two hours later.

The Southeast Missourian reports a jury acquitted Drummond last week.

Defense attorney Stephen Wilson says it was a set of facts you don’t see every day.

Massachusetts: DA: Fall River men killed friend for money
FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) — Two Fall River men accused of killing and robbing their friend have been ordered held without bail.

Charles Mendez and Tacoma Massie pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges Monday at their arraignment in Fall River District Court.

Prosecutors say Edward Platts had recently received thousands of dollars as part of an insurance settlement and showed off the money to the defendants. Prosecutors allege Mendez and Massie killed Platts of Middletown, R.I. in his car on Nov. 18 and stole the money and his dog.

Police said physical evidence tied both men to Platts.

Massie’s lawyer asked for bail to be set at $50,000.

Mendez’s lawyer said there was no probable cause for police to pull over his client the night of the slaying.

Georgia: Ga.-Ala. lawyer held on contempt charge
COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) — A lawyer is being held in Columbus on a contempt charge involving cases authorities say he handled after losing his licenses in Georgia and Alabama.

Judge Bobby Peters ordered Elliott Vogt, whose office is in Phenix City, Ala. held without bond.

Vogt, a 2003 graduate of the University of Alabama law school, was suspended from the Alabama Bar in February and disbarred in July by the state Supreme Court. His Georgia license was suspended in January.

Authorities say at least five clients have come forward to claim Vogt represented them. Their cases include a divorce and two child visitation matters.

Officials say Vogt admits he forged legal documents, including court orders, signatures and legal seals.

Columbus attorney Neal Callahan, who represents Vogt, says his client is cooperating with authorities.

Maine: Former Maine prosecutor to remain in jail
BANGOR, Maine (AP) — A federal judge in Maine has denied a former state drug prosecutor’s request that he be released while awaiting sentencing following his conviction on child pornography charges.

U.S. District Judge John Woodcock on Monday ordered that 48-year-old James Cameron, of Hallowell, continue to be held without bail. In a jury-waived trial in August, Woodcock found Cameron guilty of 13 charges.

According to the Bangor Daily News, Cameron’s attorney asked that Cameron be released so he could resume sex therapy, attend to an ill relative, be treated for hypertension and attend to a family business so another family member can take it over when is in prison.

Cameron faces between roughly 22 years and 27 years in prison. His sentencing date has not been scheduled.

Indiana: Woman charged in 2009 crash that killed boy
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — Prosecutors have charged a western Indiana woman in the hit-and-run death of a 13-year-old boy more than a year ago in which a family member tried to make it look like her SUV had hit a deer.

Twenty-year-old Lindsay Pinegar of Terre Haute appeared in court Monday on felony charges of failing to stop after a deadly accident. WTHI-TV reports Pinegar didn’t speak with reporters as deputies led her into the courthouse.

Vigo County Sheriff Jon Marvel says investigators looked at Pinegar’s SUV after the October 2009 death of Nathan Lawson, but she maintained a deer caused the damage.

The Tribune-Star reports court documents say a family member rubbed deer hair and blood into the SUV’s damage to mislead investigators. Prosecutor Terry Modesitt said other people could be charged.

South Carolina: Judge affirms new trial in Zoloft defense case
CHESTER, S.C. (AP) — A judge has upheld his decision to grant a new trial to a South Carolina man convicted of killing his grandparents when he was 12 years old, then blamed the antidepressant Zoloft for the crime.

The Herald of Rock Hill reports that prosecutors may now appeal the decision filed Monday in Chester County court.

The now-21-year-old Christopher Pittman was tried as an adult in the 2001 shotgun deaths of his grandparents in their Chester home. He was convicted in 2005 of murder and sentenced to the minimum of 30 years in prison.

Circuit Judge Roger Young ruled in July that Pittman deserved a new trial because his attorneys didn’t pursue a plea deal and focused too much on Zoloft. Prosecutors asked Young to reconsider, arguing that Pittman received a fair trial.

Minnesota: Pardoned man facing new sexual assault charges
MANKATO, Minn. (AP) — New sexual assault charges have been filed against a Minnesota man who was pardoned by Gov. Tim Pawlenty and other officials in 2008.

Jeremy Giefer served time in jail in the 1990s for having sex with a 14-year-old girl he later married. Giefer was 19 at the time, was convicted of having sex with a minor and sentenced to 45 days in jail.

Pawlenty, Attorney General Lori Swanson and a former state Supreme Court chief justice voted to grant Giefer’s petition for a pardon two years ago. Now prosecutors in Blue Earth County have accused Giefer of assaulting a second girl hundreds of times before and after he received the pardon.

The Star Tribune reports Pawlenty spokesman Bruce Gordon defended the pardon, saying the vote for approval was unanimous.