National Roundup

Texas Affidavit: Skate rink gunman had hit, berated wife GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (AP) -- A woman shot dead by her estranged husband at a Texas skating rink had accused him of hitting her and threatening her with guns in the months before the shooting rampage that also felled four of her family members, according to court documents. KTVT-TV in Dallas reported that Trini Do obtained a protective order last December against Tan Do but had it withdrawn earlier this year against a prosecutor's advice because she wanted to give him another chance. She had also sought a divorce in 2008 but withdrew that filing months later. Police say 35-year-old Tan Do of Grand Prairie opened fire on his estranged wife and her family Saturday night at a birthday party for their 11-year-old son. Four other people were injured. Do shot and killed himself at the end of the rampage. Investigators have cited the couple's ongoing marital problems and say they may have argued before the shooting. A public records search showed no criminal record for Tan Do. Trini Do, 29, alleges a pattern of physical violence and threats in her request for a protective order. She said that they stopped living together in December after what she said had been their worst year together. In early 2010, she said he fired a gun into the ceiling and threatened to shoot her because she had been contemplating divorce again, according to the documents. "He dragged me into the closet, pull his gun . and threaten me. I was afraid for my safety," an affidavit quotes her as saying. Then in November, she said her husband slapped her face in front of their two children during an argument. She pretended to call 911 but intentionally misdialed because she didn't want him to get arrested, the documents state. He then became so angry he dragged her into the kitchen and threatened her again with guns, according to Trini Do's account. "He was so upset and went inside the room and gets all the guns out. If anyone show up at the house, he will shoot them . The kids saw that and they both frighten and cry so bad," Trini Do said in the affidavit. The affidavit alleges other instances of threats and physical violence. Although the court ordered Tan Do to stay away from the family, it withdrew the order in March after his wife's request. "My husband promised to change and will work on our marriage for the kids. I hope that I am making the right decision," Trini Do said in a second affidavit. The couple met in 1997 and married in 2000, she said. They had a 3-year-old girl and the boy who was celebrating his birthday at Forum Roller World. Besides Trini and Tan Do, police identified those killed as Trini Do's sisters Lynn Ta, 16, and Michelle Ta, 28; her brother, Hien Ta, 21; and her sister-in-law, Thuy Nguyen, 25. Ta's husband, Dylan Pham, told the television station that the estranged couple had been arguing in the days before the party. "We do know he is high-temper - but nothing major. We didn't think he would do something like this," he said. The shooting occurred around 7 p.m. Saturday during the party attended by about 30 friends and family. The rink was closed to the public at the time. The owner of the roller rink told The Associated Press that he pushed some youngsters down and ushered them and employees into an office to hide. He was about 40 feet away when the shooting began. "Kids were having fun and all of a sudden: 'Bang! Bang! Bang!'" said Walt Hedrick, owner the Grand Prairie roller rink about 20 miles west of Dallas. "It was out of the clear blue. ... I didn't know what was going on." On Sunday, people placed teddy bears outside the Forum Roller World doors and a sign with the message "God Bless the Prairie." Hedrick said he decided to re-open the rink Sunday so that the business could continue to provide wholesome entertainment for the community. California Trial opens for LA doctor son of Bermuda leader LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Trial began for a Los Angeles doctor who is the son of Bermuda's leader and is charged with molesting a dozen of his female patients. Opening statements began Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court for Kevin Antario Brown, who has pleaded not guilty to 33 felony sex counts and could face life in prison if convicted on all of them. The 40-year-old Brown is the son of Bermuda Premier Ewart Brown. During a pretrial hearing, 12 women including an undercover vice officer and a 15-year-old girl testified that Kevin Brown improperly touched them. Some say he gave them vaginal or breast exams for complaints like ankle injuries or the flu. One woman alleges he raped her. The trial is expected to last three to four weeks. Massachusetts U.S. argues agai nst disclosure in terror case BOSTON (AP) -- U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. is asking a federal judge not to release certain evidence against a Massachusetts man accused in a terror plot, saying the disclosure of "top secret" materials could harm national security. Tarek Mehanna of Sudbury, is accused in an indictment of conspiring to kill American troops in Iraq in support of al-Qaida. In court documents, Holder says evidence gathered through electronic surveillance and physical searches under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act should be reviewed by a judge privately and not turned over to the defense. Holder says the materials contain "sensitive and classified information concerning United States intelligence sources and methods." Mehanna's lawyers did not immediately return calls seeking comment Monday. They have said previously that prosecutors built their case on anti-American statements made by Mehanna. Montana Judge: Transferring pot among caregivers illegal KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) -- A second state judge has ruled Montana's medical marijuana law does not allow caregivers to transfer marijuana among themselves. The Daily Inter Lake reports District Judge Stewart Stadler ruled that the Montana Medical Marijuana Act clearly states that caregivers may provide marijuana only to "qualifying patients." Thursday's ruling came in a lawsuit filed against Flathead County Attorney Ed Corrigan by the Medical Marijuana Growers Association. It could have implications for the criminal cases filed against two men after a February traffic stop in which officers found three pounds of marijuana. In April, District Judge John Larson made a similar ruling in a Missoula County case, saying the marijuana law prohibits a caregiver from providing marijuana to anyone other than a qualifying patient who is registered with that caregiver. Published: Tue, Jul 26, 2011