National Roundup

Massachusetts
Police: Man pours gasoline on girlfriend, threatens her
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts man police say poured gasoline on his pregnant girlfriend and threatened to set her on fire has been charged with attempted murder.

The Republican reports firefighters responded at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, where they learned the man had poured gasoline all over his girlfriend and throughout the apartment.

The woman had been taken to the hospital as a precaution.

The suspect has also been charged with attempted arson.

Police say they could not disclose the suspect’s name because they are barred by state law from revealing information about domestic assault arrests.

Mississippi
Judge dismisses convicted ­couple’s lawsuits against FBI, IRS
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed lawsuits filed against FBI and IRS leaders in Mississippi by two people convicted in a corruption case.

Former Forrest County chief sheriff’s deputy Charles Bolton and his wife, Linda Bolton, were convicted in September 2016 in federal court on five counts of filing false tax returns. Charles Bolton was also convicted of four counts of tax evasion. They were sentenced in March 2017.

The Hattiesburg American reports that U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett on Tuesday dismissed lawsuits that the couple filed this year against FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze and former IRS Special Agent in Charge Jerome McDuffie.

The lawsuits claimed that the agents made slanderous statements about the Boltons in April 2017 while appearing on a WDAM-TV news program.

Missouri
$270,000 ­settlement approved in inmate wrongful death suit
CHARLESTON, Mo. (AP) — A federal judge has approved a $270,000 settlement of a wrongful-death lawsuit that alleged jailers in southeastern Missouri didn’t offer proper medical care for a woman during an overdose.

The Southeast Missourian reports that under the settlement signed earlier this week, the city of Charleston will pay $75,000 and Mississippi County will pay $195,000 for the death of 21-year-old Mississippi County Detention Center inmate Somer Nunnally.

Nunnally’s family said in the lawsuit that surveillance video shows a jailer laughing at Nunnally several times and ignoring her cries for medical help before she died.

Records show Nunnally was arrested on May 2, 2015, after failing a sobriety test. The lawsuit said Nunnally had ingested “a large number of pills” before the officer arrived and jail staffers were aware of her condition.

New Jersey
Man admits punching good Samaritan, ­causing his death
MAYS LANDING, N.J. (AP) — Authorities say a New Jersey man has admitted causing the death of a good Samaritan who tried to help a woman he was beating at a bus stop.

The attack occurred last November along Route 40 in Mays Landing.

Atlantic County prosecutors say 54-year-old John Charlton was driving by when he saw 24-year-old Calvin Wiggins assaulting a woman, with whom Wiggins apparently had a relationship. Charlton tried to stop the attack but was punched by Wiggins, causing Charlton to hit his head on the roadway.

Charlton was taken to a hospital, and died from his injuries 10 days later.

Wiggins pleaded guilty Friday to aggravated manslaughter. The Mays Landing man is expected to receive a 13-year state prison term when he’s sentenced Aug. 17.

Indiana
Case set for review after man dies 10 months after shooting
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Prosecutors are reviewing the case of an Indiana man charged with attempted murder, since the man he is accused of shooting last summer died from his injuries.

The Vanderburgh County Coroner’s office says Austin Smith died Friday. He was shot on Aug. 31, 2017. Twenty-two-year-old Travis Phelps is accused of firing several shots into Smith’s car, causing him to crash.

A woman who was in Smith’s car reportedly argued with Phelps then called Smith and asked for a ride.

Phelps has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, but WFIE-TV reports that the county prosecutor’s office said in a statement it will review his case “and take into account this new development.”

The Evansville Courier & Press reports that Phelps remains jailed without bond.

Pennsylvania
Person, ‘feeling guilty,’ pays 44-year-old ­parking ticket
MINERSVILLE, Pa. (AP) — A person has cleared their conscience by paying a 44-year-old parking ticket.

The Minersville, Pennsylvania, Police Department received a letter last week with $5 and a note inside. The return address was “Feeling guilty, Wayward Road, Anytown, Ca.”

Police Chief Michael Combs tells WNEP-TV the note said, “Dear PD, I’ve been carrying this ticket around for 40 plus years. Always intending to pay. Forgive me if I don’t give you my info. With respect, Dave.”

The fine for the 1974 parking ticket in the eastern Pennsylvania town was $2. But the person added $3 for interest. The same ticket today would be $20.

Combs says the ticket was for a car with Ohio license plates, but the department did not have the technology to track out-of-state vehicles.

Indiana
Woman takes plea deal in death threat against judge
MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) — A Fort Wayne woman accused of threatening to kill a judge has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in a deal with prosecutors.

Ida Mae Wilson appeared in a Delaware County court on Monday. She apologized for saying she would shoot Judge Thomas Cannon Jr. in a phone call to her son who was in jail. The call earlier this year was recorded.

The 59-year-old Wilson made the threat after being ejected from Cannon’s courtroom last January. The judge is overseeing a drug case against Wilson’s son.

The Star Press says Judge Mark Spitzer of Grant County accepted the guilty plea. The deal calls for a suspended jail sentence.