Thursday, June 12, 2008
FAIRFAX CITY
Two Charged With Heat-Related Crimes
Fairfax City police have charged two people in heat-related incidents, including one in which an infant boy was left inside a locked car last week, police said yesterday.
The first incident occurred June 3 in the parking lot of the Patriot Harley-Davidson store at 9739 Fairfax Blvd., when someone noticed an unattended baby about 1 p.m. Records show the outside temperature was 82 degrees. Police were called and with the help of store employees unlocked the vehicle and took the 4-month-old inside. The baby's grandfather, James R. Trew, 75, of Burke, was charged Monday with felony neglect and abuse of a child.
On Tuesday, when a heat advisory was in effect, a Fairfax City officer noticed a dog inside a van parked next to the Lifetime Fitness gym, 9602 Main St., about 2:30 p.m. A boy then approached the van and removed the 8-month-old cocker spaniel, police said. An animal control officer reported that the temperature was 94 degrees -- and 118 degrees inside the van. The dog's owner, Natasha Casimir, 33, of Lemoyne, Quebec, was issued a misdemeanor summons for providing inadequate shelter.
-- Tom Jackman
MANASSAS
Three Teens Charged in Drive-By Attack
Three teenagers have been charged in a drive-by shooting in Manassas, authorities said yesterday.
No one was injured in the May 16 attack on two men, which was triggered by a verbal altercation, Prince William County police said.
Brandon Hunt Chambers, 18, of Bealeton turned himself in June 5, authorities said. James Jamal Toatley, 19, of Manassas and an unidentified 17-year-old male from Nokesville were taken into custody yesterday, authorities said.
The teenagers face felony charges that include attempted malicious wounding and shooting into an occupied vehicle.
-- Bill Brubaker
LOUDOUN COUNTY
Man Admits to Driving Drunk in Fatal Crash
A Leesburg man has pleaded guilty to multiple charges in a drunk-driving incident that killed a man on Route 7, Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney James E. Plowman said yesterday.
Arturo Armando Martinez, 32, pleaded guilty Monday to aggravated involuntary manslaughter, hit and run, and driving while intoxicated, Plowman said.
The March 15 collision at Route 7 and Janelia Farm Boulevard killed Jeffrey Cooper, 52, authorities said. Martinez faces up to 22 years in prison when he is sentenced Sept. 16.
-- Bill Brubaker
islamic school
Group Criticizes Texts at Saudi Academy
A study has found that some textbooks at a private Islamic school in Northern Virginia teach that it is permissible for Muslims to kill adulterers and converts from Islam.
The Islamic Saudi Academy receives much of its funding from the Saudi government and teaches about 900 students from kindergarten to 12th grade at two Fairfax County campuses.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said yesterday it obtained 17 academy textbooks and found several disturbing passages.
A 12th-grade text says that apostates -- those who leave Islam -- and adulterers may be permissibly killed. A social studies text states that "the Jews conspired against Islam and its people."
The academy has said it promotes tolerance and revises Saudi textbooks as needed. A telephone call yesterday afternoon to the school's main office was not immediately returned.
-- Associated Press
CHILD PORN CASE
Virginia ACLU's Former Chief Is Disbarred
The Virginia State Bar has revoked the law license of a man who served as president of the Virginia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union for 12 years.
Charles Rust-Tierney of Arlington was sentenced in September to seven years in prison for downloading child pornography.
The Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board announced yesterday that it revoked Rust-Tierney's license to practice law April 25. Rust-Tierney was president of the ACLU's Virginia chapter from 1993 to 2005 and served as a youth sports coach in Arlington.
Arlington police investigators last year found no evidence he had improper contact with children.
-- Associated Press
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