Slain Georgia Judge Memorialized as Fun-Loving
COLLEGE PARK, Ga. -- Courthouse shooting victim Judge Rowland Barnes was remembered amid tears and laughter at his funeral Thursday as a fair, fun-loving jurist who wasn't above poking fun at himself.
A barbershop quartet broke the tension by performing a tongue-in-cheek song about law and justice called "Old and Wise" to the tune of "Edelweiss." It was one Barnes once performed at a bar association fundraiser while wearing a bathrobe, boxers and his favorite T-shirt, which read "Real men don't need Viagra."
Barnes, 64, was fatally shot Friday in his Atlanta courtroom, allegedly by rape defendant Brian Nichols. The suspect is also accused of killing a court reporter, a deputy sheriff, and later immigration and customs agent David Wilhelm, whose funeral was held Thursday in Salisbury, N.C.
Meanwhile, Ashley Smith, the woman hailed for leading authorities to the arrest of Nichols is expected to receive $20,000 in reward money pledged by the FBI, a spokesman said. Smith, a 26-year-old widow with a 5-year-old daughter, made the phone call that led to the arrest of Nichols on Saturday morning.
The rewards offered have totaled $62,500.
• HOMOSASSA, Fla. -- A registered sex offender being sought for questioning in the disappearance of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford was taken into custody in Georgia. John Evander Couey was picked up near a Salvation Army shelter in Augusta, Ga., and held for failing to notify Florida officials that he was leaving the state, a requirement for sex offenders.
• HOUSTON -- A judge said prosecutors failed to prove that a truck driver facing trial in the nation's deadliest smuggling attempt was guilty of 19 charges of harboring illegal immigrants. U.S. District Judge Vanessa Gilmore did not throw out the charges against Tyrone Williams, but asked prosecutors and defense attorneys to submit arguments. Williams, 34, still faces 39 other charges including conspiracy to harbor, conceal and transport illegal immigrants and transporting immigrants in a manner that resulted in serious injury and death.
• INDIANAPOLIS -- Police violated the rights of environmental activist John Blair when they arrested him for leaving a designated protest area during a visit by Vice President Cheney to Evansville, U.S. District Judge Larry J. McKinney ruled. The restrictions police placed on protesters' movements went beyond what was needed for security even in the post-9/11 climate, he wrote.
• FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Army Capt. Shawn L. Martin, who was convicted of assaulting Iraqis, was sentenced to 45 days in military prison and fined $1,000 a month for a year, but will retain his rank and be allowed to remain in the military.
• SAN FRANCISCO -- Scott Peterson has become the 644th prisoner awaiting death in the execution chamber of San Quentin State Prison, the infamous lockup that overlooks the bay where the body of his pregnant wife, Laci, was discarded. Peterson, who was sentenced to death Wednesday, left the San Mateo County jail for San Quentin at 3:10 a.m.
-- From News Services
