BERGDAHL JUDGE WORRIES ABOUT TRUMP IMPACT
The judge deciding Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl’s punishment said Monday he is concerned that President Donald Trump’s comments about the case could impact the public’s perception of the military justice system.
Sentencing was set to begin Monday for Bergdahl on charges that he endangered comrades by walking off his post in Afghanistan in 2009. But the judge, Army Col. Jeffery R. Nance, instead heard last-minute arguments by defense attorneys that recent comments by Trump are preventing a fair proceeding. Bergdahl faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Nance allowed the attorneys to question him about whether he was swayed by Trump’s comments. Nance said he wasn’t aware of the comments beyond what was in the legal motions. Nance said he plans to retire as a colonel in about a year and isn’t motivated by pleasing commanders to win a future promotion.
Trump likely won’t visit DMZ during Asia trip.
President Donald Trump is likely not to visit the Korean demilitarized zone during his 12-day trip to Asia next month, a White House official said Monday. Trump plans instead to speak to U.S. and South Korean troops at Camp Humphreys, about 55 miles south of Seoul, at the invitation of President Moon Jae-in, the official said.
Well-known Moscow journalist stabbed by attacker, in coma.
A well-known journalist for Russia’s top independent radio station was stabbed in the throat Monday by an attacker who burst into her studio — the latest in a string of attacks on journalists and opposition activists in Moscow.
The assailant broke into the Ekho Moskvy offices and stabbed deputy editor Tatyana Felgenhauer, editor-in-chief Alexei Venediktov said. She is best known for co-hosting a popular morning radio show and also serves as deputy editor.
Felgenhauer, 32, underwent surgery at a hospital and was put in medically induced coma as doctors determine the best course of treatment, he said.
The attacker, after being apprehended, told investigators he had been in “telepathic contact with Felgenhauer” for five years.
The station said the attack was clearly premeditated. To get into the building, the assailant sprayed gas in the face of a security guard at the entrance on the ground floor then went to the 14th floor, where the station’s studios are.
“The man came here on purpose. He knew where he was going,” Venediktov told reporters.
Senate advances $36.5 billion disaster relief package.
WASHINGTON»
The Senate on Monday gave a preliminary OK to a $36.5 billion hurricane relief package that would provide Puerto Rico with a much-needed infusion of cash and keep the federal flood insurance program from running out of money to pay claims. The 79-16 procedural vote set the stage for a final vote, most likely on Tuesday.
Michigan teens charged with murder in highway rock incident.
MICH.» Five teenagers FLINT, accused of throwing rocks from a Michigan highway overpass were charged with seconddegree murder Monday in the death of a man killed when one of them smashed the windshield of a van in which he was riding.
The rocks thrown last Wednesday struck the van in which Ken White was a passenger as well as several other vehicles on Interstate 75, about 80 miles north of Detroit.
The teens, 15 to 17, are being charged as adults.
“I don’t believe that this was a deliberate attempt to take somebody’s life. It was a willful and wanton act that resulted in somebody’s death,” Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said. “These people should have known better . ... Under Michigan law, that is second-degree murder.”