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June 26, 2006

Clinton stumps for Whitehouse at URI

SOUTH KINGSTOWN -- Former President Bill Clinton urged a crowd of about 150 Democratic supporters this evening to work hard to get Sheldon Whitehouse elected to the U.S. Senate.

Clinton said that the Senate majority was in the Democrats' reach this November.

The $1,000 per person fundraiser at the University of Rhode Island's University Club netted about $150,000 for Whitehouse, who will face the winner of the Republican primary between the incumbent Lincoln Chafee and Cranston mayor Stephen Laffey.

Clinton is scheduled to deliver the keynote address for the World-Scholar Athlete Games at 7:30 p.m. at the Ryan Center on the URI campus.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Scott MacKay.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:52 PM | Comment

Brotherhood showing in Providence

PROVIDENCE -- By 6:30, more than 100 people had lined up on Thayer Street in Providence outside the Avon theater for tonight's showing of the Brotherhood pilot episode.

The screening, which begins at 7:00, is free and open to the public. To get in, people needed to bring a full-page ad that appeared on page E7 of Thursday's Providence Journal, which admits two. Seating is not guaranteed and is first come, first serve.

Guests at the screening will include Jason Clarke, who plays Tommy Caffee, one of the two leads in the series, and Kevin Chapman, who plays mob boss Freddie Cork. Brotherhood stars Clarke and Jason Isaacs as two brothers, one a politician and the other a criminal.

Posted by at 6:35 PM | Comment

Big Papi does it again

The Red Sox won their 10th straight game this afternoon on a walk-off 12th inning single by David Ortiz.

Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon gave up a solo homerun to the Phillies in the top of the 9th inning -- just his second earned run this season -- to knot the game at 6 to 6.

The game stayed tied until the 12th inning, when young Red Sox reliever Craig Hansen allowed an inherited runner to score, giving the Phillies a one-run lead.

Red Sox centerfielder Coco Crisp led of the bottom half of the inning with a double. He scored to tie the game on a two-out single by Kevin Youkilis. Mark Loretta then walked, bringing up the slugger, Ortiz.

And then, true to form, Ortiz lined a single to left centerfield, scoring Youkilis to win the game, bringing Fenway to a frenzy. The final score was 8 to 7.

The Red Sox will host the New York Mets at Fenway tomorrow.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:05 PM | Comment

R.I. lesbian couple argues for marriage in Mass. court

BOSTON -- A lesbian couple from Rhode Island who were denied a marriage license in Massachusetts argued in court today that a century-old Massachusetts law should not bar them from marrying here.

A lawyer for Wendy Becker and Mary Norton, of Providence, argued the 1913 law that prohibits nonresidents from marrying in Massachusetts does not apply to Rhode Island because Rhode Island law does not "expressly prohibit" same-sex marriage.

"Rhode Island has implicitly decided not to stand in the way of its citizens who want to marry here," said Michele Granda, an attorney with Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, which represents Becker and Norton.

Becker and Norton, a couple for 18 years, filed a notice of intention to marry in Massachusetts days after the state began performing same-sex marriages in May 2004. But they were denied a license after state officials cited the 1913 law.

In March, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that Massachusetts could use the 1913 law to bar gay couples from Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont from marrying here because those states explicitly prohibit gay marriage. But the high court sent the part of the case involving New York and Rhode Island couples back to superior court, saying it was unclear whether gay marriage was prohibited in those states.

Superior Court Judge Thomas E. Connolly heard arguments on the Rhode Island case today. No date has been set yet for a hearing on the New York case.

Assistant Attorney General Peter Sacks argued that Rhode Island statutes use gender-specific terms - including both "bride" and "groom" - and make it clear that their intention is to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

Becker and Norton, who are raising two children together, said their desire to get married was a natural extension of their long relationship.

"We feel like the word 'marriage' has a particular meaning of dignity, love and respect. We want that for our families," Norton said after the court hearing.

"It's sad that we have to go to court to get married," Becker said.

Connolly said he expects to issue his ruling in the case within five to six weeks.

In 2002, Connolly dismissed a lawsuit filed by seven gay couples who challenged the state's ban on same-sex marriage. His ruling was reversed by the SJC in its landmark 2003 decision legalizing gay marriage in Massachusetts.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:10 PM | Comment

Open update: Pros get to practice, but fans are barred

Journal photo / Mary Murphy
Michelle Wie talks with her coach as she checks out her tee shot on the 8th green at the Newport Country Club this morning on the first day of practice for the 2006 U.S. Women's Open in Newport. The course was closed to spectators today because of heavy rain over the past few days.NEWPORT -- Despite wet conditions that barred spectators from watching the players, it was busy at the Newport Country Club on the first day of practice for the 2006 U.S. Women's Open.

Michelle Wie was one of the few players to play a practice round this morning, while many more -- in small groups and alone -- played the course this afternoon after some sun and wind helped dry the area.

Heavy weekend rains soaked the Newport course.

One player, Cristie Kerr, joked that club officials had pumped three million gallons of water off the course today.

Absent for the course for the morning, Anika Sorenstam made an appearance on the practice range this afternoon.

Players will continue practicing tomorrow in preparation for the first day of play on Thursday.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Paul Kenyon

Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:51 PM | Comment

Carpio trial: Jurors end first hours of deliberations

PROVIDENCE -- The jury that will decide Esteban Carpio's fate has been released for the day, after deliberating for about 3-1/2 hours.

Jurors will reconvene tomorrow morning at 9:30.

Earlier today, attorneys for both sides delivered closing arguments to a packed courtroom in the high-profile case.

The prosecution labeled Carpio, accused of killing a police detective at headquarters last year, cunning and cool. But the defense held that it was easy to find Carpio psychotic and unable to follow the law.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Gregory Smith

Fictional spy James Bond would have envied the cool cunning that Carpio used to murder a Providence police detective and elude authorities, prosecutor Paul F. Daly Jr. told the jury this morning.

“This would have gone down in the annals of history as the crime of the century,” Daly said. "James Bond would have been envious."

Daly called Carpio "cunning," "manipulative" and "evil."

Emphasizing the high stakes of the case, just as the defense attorney had done before him, Daly told the jury: "You represent the collective will of the people in this state."

The defense lawyer for Carpio presented his closing arguments to the jury this morning before a standing-room-only crowd.

The easy part, attorney Robert L. Sheketoff told the jury, is to determine that Carpio was psychotic and couldn't follow the law. The hard part, he said, is, "Do you have the courage to actually follow the law?"

Before the beginning of closing arguments, Superior Court Judge Robert D. Krause instructed the jury that Carpio is not legally responsible for the murder of a Providence police detective if Carpio was "unable to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct," or was "unable to conform his conduct" to the requirements of the law at the time of the offense.

Sheketoff told the jury to "look at this crowd," during his 20-minute argument, referring to the huge public interest and impact of its decision.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:44 PM | Comment

Update: Clinton to appear at Whitehouse fund-raiser at URI

SOUTH KINGSTOWN -- Before he takes the stage as keynote speaker for the World-Scholar Athlete Games tonight, former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to appear at a fundraiser for U.S. Senate candidate Sheldon Whitehouse.

The $1,000 per person fundraiser will be held at the University of Rhode Island's University Club at 5:30 p.m.

Clinton has been to Rhode Island many times to raise money and stump for Democratic candidates. The former president's most recent visit was on April 8, when he appeared at a fundraising event for his wife, U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, in East Greenwich, at the home of Democratic activists Mark and Susan Weiner.

After the event, Clinton is scheduled to speak at 7:30 p.m. at the Ryan Center on the URI campus. Tickets may be purchased for $77 (lower level seating) or $62 (upper level seating). As of this posting, tickets were still available, and can be obtained at the ticket window until the time of the event. Call (401) 874-RAMS for more information.

Honor students from around the world have gathered for the games at the Kingston campus, which promote friendship, communication and cultural exchange. Some 1,900 students from more than 155 countries and all 50 states are expected to participate this year,

Sponsored by URI's Institute for International Sport, the games are held every four years. But this year is unique, because the institute is teaming up with the United Nations to promote world peace through sports. U.N. delegates are expected to attend on Wednesday.

More about the games from its Web site ...

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:27 PM | Comment

Sale of Channel 10 completed

RICHMOND, Va. -- Media General, owner of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, said today it has completed its purchase of four NBC stations, including WJAR Channel 10 in Providence.

In April, the Richmond-based media company announced its plans to buy the television stations from NBC Universal in an all-cash deal estimated at $600 million.

Media General says the stations are in large and growing markets.

With the acquisition, Media General now has nine NBC stations.

Media General also owns The Tampa Tribune and Winston-Salem Journal.

NBC Universal is 80 percent owned by General Electric Company. Vivendi Universal Entertainment holds the remainder.

Read a previous story.

Posted by Jack Perry at 2:27 PM | Comment

June has a soggy record within reach

With rain forecast for all four remaining days this month, the region has an outside chance at setting a new rainfall record for June.

This June is already the third rainiest for Providence since the National Weather Service began keeping records in 1904, according to Charles Foley, a meteorologist for the weather service in Taunton.

Providence had 8.92 inches of rain through yesterday, which is 6.08 inches more than the June average of 2.84 inches, according to the weather service's Web site. (The measurements for Providence are actually taken at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick.)

The second rainiest June was 1998, when 9.61 inches fell, according to Foley.

The wettest June was 1982, when 11.08 inches fell.

A record for June 25 was set yesterday, when 1.13 inches fell. The old record was .60 in June 1984.

The weather service has forecast heavy rain for this afternoon and a chance of rain tomorrow through Friday, the final day of June.

But Foley thinks it's unlikely the record will fall.

Posted by Jack Perry at 2:20 PM | Comment

World Cup: Italy's fans have something to cheer about

Italians around our area had something to cheer about this morning, as the Italian national soccer team defeated Australia in the second round of World Cup play.

The Italians earned a 1-0 victory over Australia after scoring on a controversial penalty kick awarded in injury time.

Italy advances to the quarter finals and will play the winner of the Switzerland and Ukraine match.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 1:16 PM | Comment

R.I. same-sex couples argue for right to marry in Mass.

BOSTON -- Lawyers for gay couples from Rhode Island will be in a Boston court today, arguing that they should be allowed to get married in Massachusetts.

The couples say a 1913 law that bars non-residents from marrying in Massachusetts if their marriage would not be legal in their home state does not apply to them -- because gay marriage is not specifically banned in Rhode Island.

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has upheld the 1913 law, but left open the door for same-sex couples from Rhode Island as well as New York. The justices said there was a question of whether gay marriage was legally allowed in those two states.

Today's hearing is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. in Suffolk Superior Court.

Read a previous Journal story.

Read more about the case on the Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders Web Site.

Read about Marriage Equality RI's movement seeking legal recognition of same-sex couples through civil marriage in Rhode Island.

Posted by Jack Perry at 10:41 AM | Comment

Gas prices fall for second week

Gasoline prices in Rhode Island dropped 2 cents per gallon this week, the second straight week that prices have fallen, according to AAA Southern New England.

The average price for regular, unleaded gasoline is $2.96 per gallon at the self-service pump, according to AAA's weekly survey.

The average price has dropped 4 cents over the past two weeks, but drivers are still paying 71 cents more per gallon than they were at this time last year.

Posted by Jack Perry at 10:29 AM | Comment

Providence board to discuss moving principals tonight

PROVIDENCE – A controversial plan to move 11 middle school principals or assistant principals goes before the Providence School Board tonight.

Supt. Donnie Evans is proposing the changes, which include reassigning some principals as assistant principals and vice versa, as part of a sweeping reorganization of the city’s seven middle schools. The changes are aimed at increasing student achievement.

The board will address the proposed administrative changes at a 7 p.m. meeting in the district’s administrative offices, 797 Westminster St.

However, the board meets prior to that, at 5:30 p.m., for a workshop on the new state testing program and how Providence student scores compare to the statewide scores, district spokeswoman Maria Tocco said.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:50 AM | Comment

Summer Pops concert set for tonight in Westerly

The Chorus of Westerly's free Summer Pops concert, originally scheduled for Saturday, has been moved by rain to 8 tonight, with a pre-show starting at 6:30 p.m.

The concert takes place in Wilcox Park in downtown Westerly. It features the 200-voice Chorus of Westerly, the Boston Festival Orchestra, and special guest bass-baritone Kevin Short. The pre-show offers the URI Jazz Big Band, the Kevin Byrne Band and the Westerly Morris Men.

No plastic ground covers are allowed; they'll be removed if put down. Items other than blankets that are left unattended will also be removed.

Posted by at 9:30 AM | Comment

SUV rolls over on Exeter's Victory Highway

EXETER – Both fire departments in town, the Exeter Rescue and the State Police responded to a single-car rollover on Victory Highway at the New London Turnpike early this morning, according to rescue officials and the state police.

The accident was called in at 1:42 a.m., Exeter Rescue Lt. Bryan Gardiner said.

The SUV was traveling southbound when it rolled over at the intersection with the New London Turnpike, State Police Trooper Marc Alboum said.

More details are not yet available.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 8:50 AM | Comment

Time to declare candidacy for state, federal offices

If you’ve been contemplating running for a federal or statewide office, you’ve got just a couple days left to make up your mind about whether to throw your hat in the ring.

The declaration of candidacy period begins today and ends Wednesday at 4 p.m.

In order to run for office, you must be registered to vote, and the deadline for that has passed.

Potential candidates must also fill out and submit this form. There’s plenty of information on the process on the Secretary of State’s Web site, in English and in Spanish, including a How to Run for Office Guide.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 8:11 AM | Comment

Carpio trial: Closing statements expected today

PROVIDENCE – After medical experts have offered vastly different accounts of Esteban Carpio’s state of mind, lawyers are expected this morning to offer their closing statements in the trial of the man accused of killing a Providence police detective.

Carpio is accused of stabbing 84-year-old Madeline Gatta and, hours later, killing Detective Sgt. James L. Allen at police headquarters on April 16, 2005.

Carpio’s defense team has never questioned whether Carpio stabbed Gatta or killed Allen. The defense has argued that Carpio is innocent by reason of insanity.

Extra: Read full trial coverage and listen to audio clips of the police interviews of Carpio in the hours after Allen was killed.

Come back to projo.com later today for more ...

The insanity defense sets up a two-part trial with differing burdens of proof. In the first phase, the state needs to prove Carpio is guilty of four charges beyond a reasonable doubt. Krause reminded potential jurors at the beginning of the trial that Carpio is presumed innocent and the state must prove otherwise.

In the second phase, Krause explained, the burden of proof shifts to the defense in its argument that Carpio cannot be held legally responsible for any of the alleged crimes.
By a preponderance of the evidence, the defense must be able to show that if Carpio killed Allen, Carpio did not appreciate the wrongfulness of his action because of mental disease or defect.

A preponderance of the evidence is a lesser standard than beyond a reasonable doubt. Robert L. Sheketoff, Carpio's lawyer, told potential jurors that the phrase means "more likely than not."

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Gregory Smith

Posted by Kate Bramson at 8:01 AM | Comment

Clinton to give keynote at student games tonight

SOUTH KINGSTOWN -- Former President Bill Clinton will be the keynote speaker tonight as the World-Scholar Athlete Games kick into high gear at the University of Rhode Island.

The week-long event began yesterday, with Fox news commentator Bill O'Reilly speaking to the students about immigration and Iraq.

Clinton is scheduled to speak at 7:30 p.m. at the Ryan Center. Tickets may be purchased for $77 (lower level seating) or $62 (upper level seating). Call (401) 874-RAMS for more information.

Earlier today, state Attorney General Patrick Lynch is to take part on a panel about non-violence, at 9:30 a.m. at Keaney Gymnasium.

More about the games from its Web site ...

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 7:52 AM | Comment

Bleak week: More rain likely, flood warning on

PROVIDENCE – Haven’t we had enough rain already?

There’s a 40 percent chance of more rain on this mostly cloudy day, and a flood warning has been extended until this evening for the Pawtuxet River in Cranston. With the river already at 9.2 feet by 5 a.m. today and expected to rise to nearly 9.4 feet, minor flooding has already occurred in the area, according to the National Weather Service. Flood stage for the river is 9 feet.

So even if you have had enough rain, just wishing apparently isn’t the right formula to make it go away. The rain appears to be here to stay. And we’re sorry to say that the rest of the week’s forecast doesn’t look particularly sunny.

The high today should be around 75.

Get the latest conditions and forecasts from projo.com.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:07 AM | Comment