National Roundup

Kentucky
Law mandating horse poop bags rankles Amish
AUBURN, Ky. (AP) — Amish residents of a western Kentucky town are fighting back against an ordinance requiring large animals to wear collection bags to catch their droppings, arguing that the law unfairly singles out their community.

The Daily News of Bowling Green reports that many Amish in Auburn have refused to comply with the ordinance, citing concerns that attempts to put the bags on their horses might frighten the animals. Many cases have landed in court, and some defendants have been jailed for refusing to pay the fine for violating the ordinance.

Last week, attorney Travis Lock filed a notice arguing that the regulation is unconstitutional because it discriminates against the Amish.

Auburn officials say the ordinance keeps the streets clean and reduces the risk of spreading disease.

Georgia
Man faces charges for killing teens behind store
ATLANTA (AP) — A prosecutor in Atlanta says a grand jury has indicted a man accused of killing two 17-year-olds behind a suburban supermarket.

Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard on Tuesday announced that a grand jury indicted 20-year-old Jeffrey Hazelwood on charges including murder, aggravated assault and aggravated sexual battery.

Lawrence Zimmerman, an attorney for Hazelwood, did not immediately have a comment on the charges.

Prosecutors say Hazelwood killed Carter Davis and Natalie Henderson Aug. 1 in Roswell. A medical examiner’s report said Henderson was found naked in a “sexually suggestive position,” while Davis was wearing only shorts with his arms outstretched on each side. Both teens were fatally shot in the head.

Howard said the investigation revealed that Hazelwood secretly watched the two teens behind the store before killing them.

Pennsylvania
Man’s conviction for flipping middle finger overturned
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A Pennsylvania appeals court has overturned the disorderly conduct conviction of a Pittsburgh man who was charged because he flashed his middle finger at his ex-wife.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says Monday’s Superior Court decision was based on past rulings by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that the gesture is not obscene — and therefore not illegal — unless it is used in a sexual context.

Thirty-five-year-old Jason Waugaman was acquitted of an endangerment charge for allegedly driving his truck too close to his ex during a November 2014 child custody exchange. But, he was sentenced to 90 days’ probation for disorderly conduct.

Senior Judge Eugene Strassburger wrote in Monday’s opinion that, “Unless the First Amendment was repealed when I was not looking, giving someone the middle finger should not constitute a crime.”

New York
$6M settlement for man after 24 years in prison
NEW YORK (AP) — Officials say a man has accepted a $6 million settlement in a federal lawsuit he filed after spending 24 years in prison for a 1989 New York City slaying before being retried and acquitted.

The New York Daily News reported Tuesday that the city says it determined the settlement with Derrick Deacon was fair and in its best interests.

Deacon was convicted in the shooting death of a teenager during a robbery in a Queens apartment complex. He was acquitted in a 2013 retrial after a witness recanted and an FBI cooperator identified a different man as the shooter.

Deacon’s lawyer, Glenn Garber, says the settlement is “some level of redemption and compensation” for his client’s suffering.

Deacon also received $3.9 million in a settlement with the state.

Pennsylvania
5 more women say pediatrician indecently rubbed against them
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania pediatrician awaiting trial on charges he indecently assaulted a woman while examining her infant has been accused of doing the same thing to five more women.

Lehigh County prosecutors revealed the new accusations at a pretrial hearing Monday for 43-year-old Dr. Jarret Patton. Patton is accused of rubbing against the 32-year-old woman during her child’s Feb. 25 exam. The woman told police she thought it was an accident until Patton did it a second time and had an erection.

Prosecutors aren’t saying they’ll bring extra charges based on the new allegations, but they want to introduce testimony about the incidents to show Patton’s February actions were part of a pattern.

Patton’s attorney says he believes some of the women’s stories may not be admissible. Patton’s medical license has been suspended.

Pennsylvania
‘Sell Drugz’ rapper accused of selling drugs
LEBANON, Pa. (AP) — A rapper whose songs include “Sell Drugz” has been charged with selling drugs in Pennsylvania.

Twenty-nine-year-old Michael Persaud performs under the name Montana Millz.

The Lebanon County district attorney says Persaud and a female accomplice sold heroin to an undercover police officer during a monthlong investigation. The district attorney says they sold 70 bags of heroin to an undercover officer in Lebanon and were arrested Oct. 28.

The district attorney says police raided the couple’s hotel room and found more than 2 ounces of heroin worth about $11,500.

The two suspects are both from Johnston, Rhode Island. They remain jailed.

Investigators say his online mix tape also includes songs called “Gun Play” and “Armed and Ready.”

Ohio
Police: Head moved from remains found in cluttered home
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (AP) — Police are investigating after they say a badly decomposed body was found underneath several inches of garbage inside an Ohio home, and the head appeared to have been moved from the body after death.
Investigators say the skeletal remains were found inside a Chillicothe home on Monday morning.

Police Detective Bud Lytle says roughly 4 feet of garbage was strewn throughout the home. Investigators were unable to determine the gender of the body.

The Chillicothe Gazette reports authorities had to use chain saws to cut through thorns and brush to access the home.

Investigators say there are no signs of foul play, but that there are indications someone had been in and out of the house.