National Roundup

California
Secret Boy Scout sex abuse claims posted online
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Thousands of previously unpublished Boy Scouts of America files that detail suspected sexual abuse by employees and volunteers have been posted online.
The Los Angeles Times published the database containing redacted victims’ names on Tuesday, including material that was released earlier by an Oregon Supreme Court judge’s ruling. The names of the alleged abusers — including doctors, teachers, priests — are included.
The newspaper’s heavily pocked database map depicts alleged incidents of abuse that affected, or in some way connected to, Scouts in every state in the nation, as well as South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.
The Boy Scouts kept the files for internal use for nearly a century and have said they’ve improved youth protection policies. The group has conducted criminal background checks on volunteers since 2008. In 2010, the organization mandated any suspected abuse be reported to police.
In an analysis of the records, the Times found that reports increased over time, which may be the result of greater awareness of child sexual abuse. The reports are not believed to account for all abuse, because the Scouts say an unknown number of files were destroyed over the years and not all victims report crime.
The organization’s inaction, and its efforts to keep allegations from police, parents and the public, allowed molesters to continue sexually abusing children, according to The Times.
The newly released files span from 1985 to 1991, and reveal that a Scouts committee chairman of four years, Samuel J. Becker of Canoga Park, had a record of child molestation, had served prison time and was on probation for exposing himself.
In another file, a Scoutmaster said he had reported suspicions of abuse about Scout Leader Gary L. Findlay of Illinois, but he was ignored by a superior. Findlay was later accused of abusing a 15-year-old in 1986, convicted of sexual abuse and expelled from the Scouts.
Most of the files opened after 1991 haven’t been released. Various pending lawsuits were seeking those files.

Kansas
Trial delayed in Kan. military school lawsuit
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A jury trial in the federal lawsuit alleging abuse at a Kansas military boarding school has been put off to 2014.
Former cadets at St. John’s Military School in Salina filed suit in March of this year, alleging higher-ranking students were encouraged to discipline younger ones. The plaintiffs contend the practice led to physical and mental abuse.
St. John’s has denied the allegations.
The trial was initially set for October 2013, but U.S. Magistrate Judge Kenneth Gale last week rescheduled it to March 2014.
Defense lawyers requested the extra time to prepare after more former cadets joined the lawsuit. The plaintiffs objected to the request.
Attorneys expect the trial to take two to three weeks.

Maine
Judge denies Maine killer’s bid for a new trial
AUBURN, Maine (AP) — A judge has denied a bid for a new trial by a Sabattus man sentenced to 55 years in prison for killing his ex-girlfriend.
Daniel Roberts petitioned Androscoggin County Superior Court Justice Joyce Wheeler for a new trial or to send the case back to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court for a second look.
The Sun Journal reports that the 43-year-old Roberts’ lawyer in his appeal said among other things that he had received ineffective representation at his trial, and claimed that some members of the public had been barred from his trial. Wheeler rejected those arguments.
Roberts was convicted of the August 2005 shooting of 29-year-old Melissa Mendoza. The couple was involved in a custody dispute over their then 2-year-old daughter.
Roberts said the shooting was self-defense.

Pennsylvania
Intruder to police dog: ‘I’m gonna kill Fido’
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Authorities responding to a call about gunfire in Pennsylvania encountered a man walking out of a home where the door was kicked in and the porch was littered with shell casings, and they say he threatened to bite a police dog, barked at it and yelled “I’m gonna kill Fido.”
Police say 39-year-old Shawn A. Seif of Homewood appeared to be staging a home invasion at about 1 a.m. Tuesday. Seif owns the home but didn’t tell police that.
Seif is charged with tormenting a police animal, resisting arrest and marijuana possession. He is being held in Allegheny County Jail, unable to make bond. No attorney was listed on court papers.

Texas
Woman kills her ex-boyfriend who invades her home
ABILENE, Texas (AP) — Abilene police say a 34-year-old man has been shot and killed by his estranged girlfriend after he barged into her home.
Police found Earnest Gonzales wounded early Wednesday in the front yard of the woman’s home. He died later at a hospital.
Authorities say Gonzales tried to break in Christmas night but fled. He returned hours later, forced open the door and assaulted the woman. She managed to retrieve a handgun and fired once, hitting him in the left side. The woman’s two children — 16-year-old and a newborn — were in the home at the time.
Police say the woman had legal possession of the handgun and the case would be referred to a grand jury. They also say no criminal charges are expected.

Ohio
Firearms group offers training free to teachers
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Following the killing of 20 children and six educators in Newtown, Conn., an Ohio-based gun group says it is launching a test program to train teachers how to use firearms.
The Columbus Dispatch reports that the Buckeye Firearms Association says it will initially accept applications from 24 teachers for its Armed Teacher Pilot Program. The three-day firearm-training class will be held at the Tactical Defense Institute in West Union. The association will pay for the training, including lodging and ammunition.
Association legal chairman Ken Hanson said in a statement that teachers and school board members have been “asking us for years” for this kind of training. He said the group’s long-term goal is to develop a standard curriculum and make the training available to any teacher or school official.