At a Glance

Attorney says CMU shooting suspect unfit for trial

MOUNT PLEASANT (AP) — The attorney for a 19-year-old student accused of killing his parents at Central Michigan University says his client has been found incompetent to stand trial.

Court-appointed attorney Joshua Blanchard says James Davis Jr. was found incompetent to stand trial March 23. Blanchard told MLive.com last week Davis will receive treatment in an attempt to have him regain competency.

Authorities say Davis Jr. shot his parents, James and Diva Davis, in his dorm room on March 2. He was captured after a 16-hour manhunt and charged with two counts of open murder and a firearm violation.

The night before the shootings, Davis Jr. told police someone was out to kill him. He exhibited erratic behavior that police suspected was drug-induced.

DIA to host traveling ‘Star Wars’ exhibit

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Institute of Arts is preparing to host a traveling exhibition of “Star Wars” costumes that explores the artistry behind their creation.

The exhibit, “Star Wars and the Power of Costume,” features more than 60 costumes including Darth Vader, Chewbacca, droids and others. It’s scheduled to run May 20 through Sept. 30.

More than 150 pieces and sketches documenting the creative process also are part of the display. The museum’s director, Salvador-Salort-Pons, says the exhibition “allows visitors to explore the creative processes behind the art of costume design.”

The costumes are from the first seven “Star Wars” movies. Videos showing designers and actors also are part of the display.

The exhibit was developed by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in partnership with the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.
 

SC lawmakers propose secession debate

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina debated seceding from the Union more than 150 years ago ahead of the Civil War. Now, the topic has come up again, amid a national debate over firearms and gun rights.

A trio of state House Republicans on Thursday introduced a bill that would allow lawmakers to debate seceding from the U.S. if the federal government confiscates legally purchased firearms in the state.

The measure has no real chance of passage this session. The deadline for bills to move from one chamber to the other is April 10.

Man sues ex-boss  after ‘pocket dial’  cost him his job

ATLANTA (AP) — A man who lost his job is suing his former boss for listening in on a conversation over the phone after the man accidentally “pocket-dialed” his boss.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that James Stephens was talking to his wife in 2016 about his boss, Georgia Subsequent Injury Trust Fund Director Mike Coan, who is a former state lawmaker.

At the time, Stephens didn’t realize that he had pocket-dialed Coan, who could hear the conversation. Not liking what he had heard, Coan told Stephens he could resign or be fired.

Stephens has now filed a lawsuit, arguing that Coan knew he’d been inadvertently pocket-dialed, but continued to listen to the conversation, violating Stephens’ privacy.

Coan says he is immune from Georgia’s eavesdropping law because he was acting as a state employee.

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