Man convicted in slaying on college campus
GRAND RAPIDS (AP) — A man has been convicted of murder in the slaying of a 34-year-old homeless woman on the Grand Rapids Community College campus in western Michigan.
A Kent County Circuit Court jury on Wednesday found 20-year-old Marcus Bivins guilty of first-degree murder in the April 2016 killing of Jeanne Huntoon, who was beaten and stabbed to death.
The former Muskegon woman’s body was found near bushes at the school.
Bivins faces a mandatory term of life in prison without parole when sentenced Aug. 16.
Authorities have called the attack a random assault. Defense lawyer John Grace said Bivins heard voices and asked jurors find him not guilty by reason of insanity.
Woman convicted of murder in parrot witness case
WHITE CLOUD (AP) — A jury has convicted a western Michigan woman of first-degree murder in the shooting death of her husband in a crime apparently witnessed by the man’s pet parrot.
The Newaygo County jury deliberated about eight hours before finding 49-year-old Glenna Duram guilty Wednesday of killing 46-year-old Martin Duram.
He was shot five times in May 2015.
Glenna Duram suffered a head wound in what prosecutors said was a suicide attempt, but survived.
Martin Duram’s ex-wife, Christina Keller, has said that after the slaying, the pet parrot, Bud, repeated “don’t (expletive) shoot” in Martin Duram’s voice. Keller took ownership of the bird after Martin Duram’s death.
Court upholds order blocking soda tax
CHICAGO (AP) — An Illinois appeals court has upheld a temporary restraining order that’s preventing Cook County’s sweetened beverage tax from taking effect.
The 1st District Appellate Court’s decision preceeded a planned hearing on a preliminary injunction in the case.
Cook County is counting on raising $67.5 million with the tax through Nov. 30. Circuit Judge Daniel Kubasiak recently imposed a temporary restraining order that’s preventing the penny-per-ounce tax from being levied.
The Illinois Retail Merchants Association and several grocers say the tax is vague and unconstitutional.
Cook County officials have warned that a 10 percent budget cut is possible if the tax isn’t allowed to take effect by August.
Fault! New $3.5M tennis courts too short
MELVILLE, N.Y. (AP) — A New York town has padlocked the tennis courts in a brand new $3.5 million park because they were built improperly.
The two courts at the recently opened Sweet Hollow Park in Melville don't have enough clearance between the baseline and the fence. The truncated courts caused at least one player to run into the fence.
The U.S. Tennis Association recommends courts have 21 feet behind the baseline. The new courts in the hamlet in Huntington have less than 10 feet, while the sides are about 2 feet short of the recommended 12 feet.
The blunder was brought to the attention of Huntington officials by a resident who played on the new courts earlier this month.
The town says the courts will be closed while they're renovated.
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