NEWS OF THE DAY
From Across the Nation
1 Bus shooting: A man accused of opening fire aboard a Greyhound bus traveling through Southern California has pleaded not guilty to firstdegree murder and five counts of attempted murder. Anthony Devonte Williams, 33, entered his pleas Thursday in Bakersfield. The shooting occurred early Feb. 3 as the bus was northbound on Interstate 5 in the Tejon Pass between Los Angeles and Bakersfield. Authorities said the shooter had been muttering incoherently before he opened fire. Passengers disarmed the man and forced him off the bus. A woman from Colombia was killed. Three women and two men were wounded.
2 Girl slain: Investigators found a man dead inside his South Carolina home shortly after finding an item from a missing 6yearold girl who lived in his neighborhood inside his trash can, authorities said. Faye Marie Swetlik disappeared Monday while playing in her front yard in Cayce after getting off the school bus, investigators said. Her death is being investigated as a homicide, although details about how she died have not been released. The girl’s body was found Thursday in the woods, and police think it was put there after investigators found the evidence inside the trash can, Sgt. Evan Antley said Friday. Autopsies on both Taylor and the girl are scheduled for Saturday.
3 Iowa caucuses: Iowa Democratic Party officials have agreed to hire prominent lawyers to investigate the factors leading to a meltdown in the state’s leadoff presidential caucuses and how the party responded. The party’s State Central Committee voted Thursday night to retain Nick Klinefeldt, a former U.S. attorney, and Bonnie Campbell, a former Iowa attorney general. The Iowa Democratic Party has been reeling since the night of the caucuses Feb. 3 when problems with a mobile app and other issues prevented it from releasing results.
4 Avenatti convicted: Michael Avenatti, a lawyer who gained fame by representing porn star Stormy Daniels in lawsuits against President Trump, was convicted Friday of trying to extort sportswear giant Nike. The verdict was returned by a Manhattan federal jury after it deliberated charges of attempted extortion in what prosecutors say was an attempt by Avenatti to extort up to $25 million from Nike. The charges carry a combined potential penalty of 42 years in prison. Avenatti maintained he was taking the aggressive position at the urging of his client, Gary Franklin, who ran a youth basketball league in Los Angeles and was angry that Nike ended a decadelong sponsorship that provided $72,000 annually and free gear.
5 Peacock menace: A pack of peacocks that has wreaked havoc on a Miami neighborhood will be relocated after city commissioners voted this week to have the birds taken away. Residents say the birds have taken control of a Coconut Grove neighborhood, mating into the night and scratching cars as they travel in packs of 20 to 40 or more. Commissioner Ken Russell said the birds have caused tremendous property damage. He said the peacocks see their reflection on the side of the car, mistake it for a rival and attack with their beaks.