Briefs: Jury starts deliberations
After listening to 10 weeks of testimony and arguments in Chicago's biggest mob trial in years, jurors began deliberating the fate of five defendants Tuesday. Jurors have much evidence to consider, having heard from more than 100 witnesses, listened to hours of secretly recorded audio tapes and seen dozens of photos of crime scenes, victims and alleged members of the Outfit, as the city's organized crime family is known. When they got the case last week, jurors indicated they plan to work from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., but they left at 2 p.m. Tuesday. The office of U.S. District Judge James B. Zagel released no explanation for the early departure. The men on trial are Joseph "Joey the Clown" Lombardo, 78; convicted loan shark Frank Calabrese Sr., 70; convicted jewel thief Paul Schiro, 70; James Marcello, 65; and retired Chicago policeman Anthony Doyle, 62. If convicted, all but Doyle could face life in prison.
Victim staying in school
A University of Colorado student from Winnetka who was slashed across the throat by a former mental patient has decided to remain at the school after an outpouring of support, his family said Tuesday. Michael Knorps, a 17-year-old freshman, was attacked outside the student center Aug. 27, the first day of classes. He underwent surgery for damaged tissue. "Michael has been met with concern and care by all at CU, and we are deeply grateful for this response by the campus community," the family said in a statement released by the university. Knorps has recovered from his physical injuries and eventually will recover "emotionally and spiritually" as well, the statement said. Kenton Drew Astin, the man suspected of attacking Knorps, has been transferred to the Colorado State Mental Health Institute.
Drowning not hate crime
Police in Chicago say after questioning a suspect and witnesses they do not believe a Vietnamese man who drowned after being pushed into a Lake Michigan harbor was the victim of a hate crime. "It just appears to be kind of a random act," said Lt. Anthony Riccio, whose detectives are conducting the investigation of Saturday's drowning of 62-year-old Du Doan. Earlier, police said there was a "strong possibility" the drowning was a hate crime because Doan, another man who was confronted by the same group earlier that morning and a man who was pushed into the water weeks earlier all were Asian or had Asian features. As of early Tuesday afternoon, no charges had been filed. Doan was fishing by himself from the sidewalk at Montrose Harbor on the city's North Side early Saturday when he was pushed into the water. Riccio said he was pushed by one man who broke away from a group and shoved Doan in the back. Doan could not swim.
Green Party convening here
When the Green Party nominates its presidential candidate next year it will be at a convention in Illinois, a state where it has done well enough to become an established third party. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader, who Democrats blame for taking votes away from Al Gore when he lost to George Bush in 2000, has told Green Party members that he is considering another run in 2008. Chicago was picked as the site of the party's national nominating convention over Detroit, Minneapolis and Oakland, Calif. The convention will be held July 10-13 and 1,500 to 2,000 people are expected to attend, said Patrick Kelly, a spokesman for the Illinois Green Party. The Democratic Party is holding its convention next year in Denver and the Republicans will nominate their presidential candidate in St. Paul, Minn.