washington
book about bin laden raid surprises
A member of the Navy SEAL team that killed Osama bin Laden has written a firsthand account of the operation, triggering more questions about the possible public release of classified information involving the raid at the terror leader's compound in Pakistan. U.S. military officials indicated the book has not been read or cleared by the Defense Department, which reviews publications by military members to make sure no classified material is revealed. The book titled No Easy Day is written under the pseudonym Mark Owen.
gainesville, ga.
Militia plot draws 5-year sentences
Two Georgia men were sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison for trying to get an unregistered explosive and an illegal gun silencer in what prosecutors say was a plot to attack government targets. The sentences for Frederick Thomas, 73, and Dan Roberts, 68, were the maximum allowed by their plea deal. They were among four men arrested in November after an informant infiltrated their meetings in homes, car rides and a Waffle House. The other two men are charged with conspiring and attempting to make ricin and await trial.
joliet, ill.
Witness: Peterson looked for hit man
A witness, Jeff Pachter, testified Wednesday at Drew Peterson's murder trial that the former Illinois police officer offered him $25,000 to hire a hit man to kill his third wife three months before she was found dead. Prosecutors allege Peterson, 58, ended up killing Kathleen Savio himself in 2004 because he feared a ruinous divorce settlement. They presented the hit-man testimony to establish that Peterson thought seriously about her murder in advance.
baton rouge, la.
Man locks self in airplane cockpit
An airline passenger described as "distraught" shoved past two American Eagle agents Wednesday and locked himself in the cockpit of an empty plane. Authorities cut the power so he couldn't start the plane. Andrew Alessi of Baton Rouge, La., came out voluntarily after police and FBI negotiated with him for several hours. He had no weapon, officials said. Alessi likely will be charged with interfering with a flight crew.
Times wires
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