State Glance
Woman gets 21-year term for trying to poison her husband
PHOENIX — A Carefree woman convicted of attempted first-degree murder for trying to poison her husband on a daily basis has been sentenced to 21 years in prison.
Judge Frank Moskowitz of Maricopa County Superior Court sentenced 68-yearold Connie Eskelson on Friday.
Sheriff’s Office detectives said Eskelson used her Amazon Prime account to order ethylene glycol, an active ingredient in antifreeze, and put some in drinks for her husband until he got sick.
Randy Eskelson was found unconscious at their home in August 2017 and Connie Eskelson was arrested in March 2018 after medical tests found the poison in his system and investigators learned of her purchases.
‘Wizard Rock’ that disappeared from Arizona forest returns
PRESCOTT — A boulder that mysteriously disappeared two weeks ago from a national forest in Arizona is back, and forest officials aren’t asking any questions.
Prescott National Forest officials said a forest employee on patrol Friday noticed that the 1-ton boulder dubbed “Wizard Rock” had been returned to a site along State Route 89 south of Prescott.
The much-admired boulder is black with streaks of white quartz running through it.
District Ranger Sarah Clawson said forest officials were thrilled that the rock was returned and “grateful that whoever took it was conscientious enough to give it back to the public”
According to forest officials, it would have required heavy equipment to move the boulder.
Permits are required to gather and remove most forest products, including rocks, plants and trees.
Ariz. Supreme Court to clarify criticized rule on photos
PHOENIX — The Arizona Supreme Court says it plans to soon clarify a new rule barring people from taking photos outside state appellate courts in Arizona.
The rule issued on Oct. 16 by Chief Justice Robert Brutinel has been criticized for limiting the rights of news organizations.
The rule prohibits photography on the grounds of appellate court buildings in Phoenix and Tucson, including images taken from sidewalks and adjacent parking areas.
The court said late Friday on Twitter that there’s been confusion because the rule “has been interpreted by the public more broadly than intended.”
Supreme Court spokesman Aaron Nash said earlier the ban was intended to guard against disruptions and protect the security and privacy of people attending court proceedings.
The ban doesn’t apply to Superior Courts, which are trial courts.
Jail officer’s body transported to medical examiner’s office
PHOENIX — The body of a Maricopa County detention officer fatally injured in a jail attack has been transported to the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office in downtown Phoenix.
A motorcade led by motorcycles carried Officer Gene Lee’s body Saturday about 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) from the hospital where he was treated after being assaulted Tuesday at the Lower Buckeye Jail.
Sheriff’s officials said Lee died Wednesday night after suffering a head injury when he was knocked to the ground by an inmate, 59-year-old Daniel Davitt.
Before Lee died, Davitt was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault on a corrections officer. More serious charges are expected with the officer’s death.