Federal judge blocks Ark. abortion restrictions
Compiled from news services
LITTLEROCK, Ark. — A federal judge has blocked the state from enforcing four new abortion restrictions, including a ban on a common second trimester procedure and a fetal remains law that opponents say would effectively require a partner’s consent before a woman could get an abortion.
U.S. District Court Judge Kristine Baker issued a preliminary injunction Friday against the new restrictions, three of which were set to take effect Tuesday. The American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights had challenged the measures, suing on behalf of Frederick Hopkins, a Little Rock abortion provider.
The laws include a ban on a procedure known as dilation and evacuation. Abortion rights supporters say it is the safest and most common procedure used in second-trimester abortions, but the state calls it barbaric and “dismemberment abortion,” saying it can have emotional consequences for the women who undergo it. Similar bans are in effect in Mississippi and West Virginia and have been blocked by court rulings in Alabama, Kansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
Doctor killed
MISHAWAKA,Ind. — A man shot and killed himself Wednesday shortly after gunning down a doctor who refused to prescribe opioid medication to his wife, authorities said.
St. Joseph County Prosecutor Ken Cotter told reporters that Michael Jarvis confronted physician Todd Graham for not prescribing an opioid for his wife’s chronic pain, but he cautioned that investigators are still determining whether drug addiction played a role in the killing.
Authorities said Mr. Jarvis and his wife showed up at Dr. Graham’s office for an appointment Wednesday morning. Mr. Jarvis got upset after Dr. Graham told them that he doesn’t believe chronic pain requires opioid medication. The couple left, but Mr. Jarvis returned two hours later.
Mr. Cotter said Mr. Jarvis shot Dr. Graham, then drove to a friend’s home, where he “gave indication that he was no longer going to be around,” Mr. Cotter said. The friend called 911, but Mr. Jarvis killed himself before police arrived.
Priest in scandal released
BOSTON, Mass. — Paul Shanley, 86, a former clergyman was released from state prison Friday after serving a 12-year sentence for the rape and indecent assault of a boy in a Massachusetts church in the 1980s. He was defrocked by the Vatican in 2004 and convicted the following year.
Boa constrictor attack
SHEFFIELDLAKE, Ohio — Authorities say a woman who was rescuing reptiles had brought a 5½-foot-long boa constrictor into her home. The boa constrictor wrapped around the woman’s body and attacked her face Thursday.
Police said no report had been taken; it’s not known whether the woman faced charges or had her 10 other snakes removed. Boa constrictors are not listed as one of the dangerous wild animals prohibited under the Ohio Dangerous Wild Animal Act.