QUOTE OF THE DAY “We’re disappointed because every day’s denial really harms families while helping no one.” Evan Wolfson, president and founder of Freedom to Marry, a New York-based group campaigning to legalize gay marriage throughout the country, after the Supreme Court ordered a stay on same-sex nuptials in Utah Article, 1A
‘Jihad Jane’ gets 10 years for plot
PHILADELPHIA - A troubled Pennsylvania woman who called herself “Jihad Jane” online and plotted to kill a Swedish artist was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison after telling a judge she had been consumed by thoughts of a Muslim holy war.
Colleen LaRose, 50, faced a potential life term. But Chief U.S. District Judge Petrese Tucker gave her credit for her guilty plea and her help in the indictment of two others.
Prosecutors asked for decades in prison, fearing she remains highly vulnerable to manipulation. But LaRose told the judge, “I don’t want to be into jihad no more.”
LaRose became obsessed with the cause after meeting a Muslim man on vacation in Amsterdam, when she was out one night after a fight with her boyfriend, her lawyer said. She pursued it online when she returned to her home in rural Pennsburg, Pa., where she cared for the boyfriend’s elderly father at home nearly full time.
Aspen airport still closed after crash
DENVER - Two men from Mexico were being treated Monday for serious injuries and another was dead after a fiery plane crash at the airport in Aspen, a popular ski resort where wealthy visitors shuttle in and out on private flights.
The plane went off the right side of the runway, flipped over and burst into flames Sunday afternoon, said Alex Burchetta, director of operations for the Pitkin County sheriff’s office.
The airport remained closed as authorities investigated the crash during the busy ski season.
Miguel Henriqez was in critical condition and Moises Carranza was in serious condition at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, spokesman Kimberly Williams said.
Both are pilots and one was co-piloting the plane with Sergio Carranza Brabata, also of Mexico, who died in the crash. It was not clear who was in control of the plane when it went down.
No one else was on board.
Consulate fire said inspired by voices
SAN FRANCISCO - A Chinese national arrested in the Chinese Consulate arson in San Francisco claims he was motivated by voices he was hearing, according to an FBI affidavit.
According to the affidavit filed in support of federal charges against 39-year-old Yan Feng of Daly City, he told investigators he targeted the consulate because voices he had been hearing were in Chinese, so he figured the consulate had to be involved.
FBI Special Agent in Charge David Johnson said Monday that Feng was arrested Friday after he called police in Daly City, a San Francisco suburb.
The suspect, who has permanent resident status, made his first court appearance Monday and was held on charges of causing damage to property of a foreign government and arson.
Johnson said the investigation is ongoing but that the FBI thinks it is criminal matter and that terrorism, politics or civil rights were not involved.
Front Section, Pages 3 on 01/07/2014