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June 27, 2006

Man's body found in shallow grave in Hopkinton

HOPKINTON -- State police discovered a man's body this morning, buried in a shallow grave deep in a wooded section of this rural town, according to State Police Capt. Stephen Lynch, who said the discovery is related to the apparent suicide of a Massachusetts man.

The body was buried beneath about a foot and a half of dirt, Lynch said, in a gravesite set back about 75 feet off North Road, a dirt road off Canonchet Road. He said the body had been there for "several weeks" and that decomposition had begun.

The body has not been identified, and authorities have yet to determine a cause of death.

Lynch said that Rhode Island State Police were directed to the area -- which is miles from the nearest house -- last night by Massachusetts authorities, who had been investigating the suicide last week of 48-year-old Gary Leblanc, of Lynn, Mass.

There were some large, identifying rocks in the area where the body was found, said Lynch, who declined comment on the Massachusetts investigation that led authorities to Rhode Island.

Spokesman for Massachusetts local and state police could not be reached early this evening for more details.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 7:07 PM | Comment

No sign yet of West Nile virus in R.I. mosquitoes

PROVIDENCE -- The state Department of Environmental Management announced this afternoon that samples taken from 85 mosquito pools earlier in the month have produced no evidence of West Nile virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

So far this year, DEM says, no mosquitoes have tested positive for either virus, although state officials have confirmed their existence in Rhode Island in recent years.

Therefore, Rhode Islanders are warned to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds on their property such as standing water and to protect their skin from bites.

Mosquitoes are trapped every week statewide by DEM staff and tested at the state Department of Health. DEM normally reports mosquito test results once a week throughout the summer.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:05 PM | Comment

Derderians seek details of local fire marshal's training

PROVIDENCE -- The attorneys for Jeffrey and Michael Derderian filed motions in Superior Court today seeking to subpoena detailed information about the training of former West Warwick Fire Marshal Denis Larocque.

The subpoenas would apply to the fire academy of the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal’s Office, the town of West Warwick, and the National Fire Protection Association.

The Derderian brothers, co-owners of The Station nightclub in West Warwick, have been charged with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the fire that killed 100 people there in 2003.

According to the motions, the Derderians want "copies of any and all itineraries, syllabi, records, reports, or written materials of any kind relative to training received by Denis Larocque."

Superior Court Judge Francis J. Darigan Jr. has scheduled a hearing to rule on the subpoena requests for Thursday.

The brothers are scheduled to be tried separately. Michael Derderian's trial is set to begin Sept. 5.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:44 PM | Comment

Women's Open warning: Be prepared for mud

NEWPORT -- The organizers of the U.S. Women's Open hope they have a few more hot, dry days like today ahead. Unfortunately, the weather forecast has more rain this week.

A tour of the Newport Country Club course today showed that many of the paths that fans will have to tread are already very muddy. So if you're planning on heading to Newport, be warned: It could be messy.

More about the course, the tournament and projo.com's planned coverage ...

Posted by Mike McDermott at 4:38 PM | Comment

FLASH: Carpio guilty on all 3 counts

PROVIDENCE -- Esteban Carpio has been found guilty of killing a Providence police officer at headquarters last year.

The 12-person jury deliberated about nine hours over two days before convicting Carpio on all three counts against him.

The highly-anticipated verdict followed a case that asked jurors to decide whether Carpio was a calculating criminal or a psychotic who did not know what he was doing.

After the verdict was read, a couple of hushed "thank God's" could be heard in the standing-room-only crowd in Superior Court courtroom.

More to come...

-- With reports from projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 3:30 PM | Comment

Man denies murder, blames violent sex

WEST WARWICK -- A West Warwick man was arraigned today in Kent County District Court on first degree murder charges for allegedly brutally beating and strangling a woman staying at his house.

Brian Mlyniec, 43, had his case referred to Superior Court. He is being held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions.

West Warwick firefighters discovered the woman’s body on Friday afternoon, after receiving an anonymous call reporting a possible overdose. Firefighters called the police, and patrolmen later found Kelly Ann Anderson, 41, inside Mlyniec’s home, bruised and bleeding, according to a police affidavit.

Mlyniec, who is on probation for an unrelated sexual assault in 2001, has denied slaying Anderson, according to the police affidavit. He told police the two had engaged in consensual, violent sexual activities that resulted in the bruises and bleeding.

The police arrested Mlyniec late yesterday, after the state medical examiner completed an autopsy and reported that strangulation caused Anderson's death, according to Police Chief Peter T. Brousseau.

-- Journal staff writer Benjamin N. Gedan

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:04 PM | Comment

Westerly police officer accused of off-duty sex assault

WESTERLY -- A town police officer is being charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault and one count of disorderly conduct leveled at him by the state police, according to a news release issued today by Police Chief Edward A. Mello.

The charges arose after a state and local police investigation into a female’s complaint to the Westerly Police Department on June 16 that she was sexually assaulted by Officer Don Thompson, according to Mello.

Mello confirmed this afternoon that the complainant is a 17-year-old girl.

Thompson, 39, was off duty at the time of the incident in question, the police said. He also faces Westerly police charges of reckless driving, operating with a suspended license and refusal to submit to a chemical test.

Thompson surrendered himself at the State Police Barracks in Hope Valley last night, according to Mello. He was arraigned at that time before a justice of the peace on all charges and was released on personal recognizance, according to the police.

“The Westerly Police Department has taken these allegations very seriously, as it does with all criminal complaints of this nature,” Mello’s statement reads. “Officer Thompson has been placed on unpaid suspension as result of these charges.”

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney

Posted by Kate Bramson at 2:01 PM | Comment

Supreme Court to review lead paint law

PROVIDENCE -- The state Supreme Court has agreed to review the legality of a 2005 lead paint that was deemed unconstitutional in January by a Superior Court judge.

Attorney General Patrick Lynch filed a motion in March asking the high court to review the lower court's decision. In an announcement released today, Lynch praised the Supreme Court's willingness to examine the case.

"This is the law that finally moved Rhode Island away from a system aptly described by one witness as 'using babies as lead detectors,'" Lynch said. "That is, we no longer wait for a child to be poisoned in a property before steps are mandated to remove lead hazards."

The Lead Hazard Mitigation Act of 2005 requires absentee landlords of pre-1978 units to learn about lead hazards, evaluate whether any exist in their units and correct any problems.

No timeline has been set for the Supreme Court's review.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 1:50 PM | Comment

Update: Man accused in Block Island shooting spree held / Photo

Journal photo / Frieda Squires
Ernesto Lacayo, center, was arraigned this morning in Washington County District Court.

SOUTH KINGSTOWN -- A 19-year-old Connecticut man accused of trying shoot police officers on Block Island Sunday night appeared this morning in District Court, where he was denied a bid to act as his own lawyer.

"I want to represent myself,'' Ernesto A. Lacayo, of Stratfield Road., Fairfield, told Judge John M. McLoughlin.

"No sir,'' McLoughlin said. "You're referred to the public defender.''

A determination of attorney date is set for July 7.

Lacayo, who wore navy blue sneakers, khaki shorts and a T-shirt and was shackled at the ankles, faces seven counts of assault with the intent to commit murder. Police allege he fired five rounds from a 12-gauge shotgun -- three aimed at a state trooper; another two at Block Island police officers who arrived at the scene, police said.

State police said Lacayo was spotted by State Trooper Michael Reynolds Sunday night as he walked toward the New Shoreham Police Department carrying a shotgun.

After he fled from the trooper, o Block Island Police Chief Vincent Carlone said Lacayo lay in wait in dunes near Scotch Beach and fired upon the local officers as they arrived at the scene. All the shots missed.

Lacayo is being held on $400,000 cash bail.

For more background, read today's Journal story.

-- Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney

Lacayo was carrying the names and addresses of Fairfield, Conn., police officers at the time of the shootings, Rhode Island State Police Major Steven G. O’Donnell said this morning.

Although he has had some contact with the Fairfield police department, O’Donnell described the past instances as “nothing of substance, nothing major.”

One of the state troopers on scene Sunday night said Lacayo “had a lot to say verbally” during the incident and acted out “things from movies,” including, O’Donnell said, the film Scarface.

Local police are working with Connecticut state and Fairfield police to investigate Lacayo’s background and family. O’Donnell said the police do not know why he approached the New Shoreham police department carrying the names and addresses of Fairfield police officers.

“It’s difficult to get into the mindset of a person who would be doing something like this,” O’Donnell said.

According to O’Donnell, Lacayo was spotted by State Trooper Michael Reynolds Sunday night as he walked toward the New Shoreham Police Department carrying a shotgun.

A chase ensued, and Lacayo fired five times at officers before dropping his gun, which was out of ammunition. Officers apprehended him and discovered he was also carrying a buck knife.

Additional charges may be filed against Lacayo as the investigation continues, O’Donnell said.

For now, he is also charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, for pointing the shotgun at Reynolds, but not firing, as he walked across the lawn toward the Block Island police department, and with one count of using a firearm while committing a crime of violence.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 1:48 PM | Comment

22-story tower proposed for old Providence police building

PROVIDENCE -- City officials joined The Procaccianti Group today in announcing the preliminary plan for development of the old public safety building in LaSalle Square.

The announcement, made at a morning news conference in front of the LaSalle fire station bays, coincided with the completion of The Procaccianti Group’s $3 million purchase of the property from the Providence Redevelopment Agency.

The developer’s plan for the property – which is conceptual and must still go before city design review and zoning boards – calls for demolishing the old public safety building and constructing a 22-story, 496,000-square-foot office tower.

-- Journal staff writer Karen Davis

The project – which is called The Empire at Broadway -- would include a 522-space parking garage and 25,000 square feet of “pedestrian-friendly’’ retail space, according to Tom Niles, executive vice president of development for Procaccianti.

“This is an exciting announcement of importance to the city,’’ Mayor David N. Cicilline said. “The Procaccianti Group is a critical partner in building upon the incredible momentum we have in Providence and its purchase of the long-vacant LaSalle Squate property is a shining example of that important work.’’

Cicilline said the project accomplishes several key objectives: to convert a vacant, blighted property into an asset and a gateway to downtown; to provide the downtown area with added parking and infuse the central city with a large mass of office and retail space.

Posted by Jack Perry at 12:06 PM | Comment

Carpio trial: Jury requests help with audiotapes

PROVIDENCE -- The jury deliberating the fate of Esteban Carpio has asked for help listening to recorded interviews Carpio gave immediately after the shooting death of Detective Sgt. James Allen last year inside Providence police headquarters.

The jurors indicated to the judge this morning that they were having trouble playing the recordings or finding the part of the interview they were looking for. Carpio was interviewed at the police station and inside the hospital after Allen's death.

Jurors deliberated for about 3-1/2 hours yesterday after hearing closing arguments from the defense and prosecutors. They resumed their deliberations earlier this morning.

Carpio's lawyer says his client was psychotic at the time of the killing and should be found not guilty by reason of insanity.

But prosecutors say Carpio was a calculating killer who knew what he was doing when he shot Allen to death with the officer's own weapon.

-- Staff and wire reports

Superior Court Judge Robert D. Krause instructed the all-white jury for about 25 minutes yesterday before they began deliberations.

Although Carpio was indicted on four felony charges, the prosecution has withdrawn one of those charges – assault on a person older than 60, causing bodily injury.

The remaining charges are murder; discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, death resulting; and assault with a dangerous weapon on 84-year-old Madeline Gatta.

Carpio had been brought in to police headquarters for questioning in the stabbing earlier that day of Gatta outside her home.

Read more in today's Journal story about the lawyers’ closing arguments in court yesterday, and review coverage of the trial, including audio clips of police interviews with Carpio after the shooting.

Posted by Jack Perry at 11:50 AM | Comment

Brown poll: Incumbents Chafee and Carcieri slipping

PROVIDENCE -- Democratic challengers are gaining ground in the race for the U.S. Senate and Rhode Island's governor, according to a new poll released this morning by Brown University.

If the general election were held today between Democratic candidate Sheldon Whitehouse and Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee, Whitehouse would get 38 percent of the vote, Chafee would take 37 percent, and 25 percent would be undecided.

As recently as February, Chafee led Whitehouse 40 percent to 34 percent.

Today's poll shows Whitehouse's lead over Cranston Mayor Stephen P. Laffey, growing as well. Whitehouse leads Laffey 55 percent to 25 percent, up from 44 percent to 29 percent in February.

Governor Carcieri's lead over Democratic challenger Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty is also shrinking. In February, Carcieri led 46 percent to 35 percent. But in today's poll, Carcieri leads 44 percent to 39 percent -- nearly within the poll's 3.5 percent margin of error.

The survey was conducted June 24 to 26 by Brown's Taubman Center for Public Policy which randomly sampled 719 registered voters in Rhode Island.

Regarding the casino vote, 52 percent say they oppose amending the state constitution to allow a gambling casino in West Warwick operated by Harrah’s in association with the Narragansett Indian Tribe; 39 percent favor a casino and 9 percent are undecided.

Sixty-six percent think there should be competitive bidding on the right to operate a gambling casino in West Warwick, while 22 percent do not.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 11:30 AM | Comment

AAA predicts record travel for July 4 holiday

Auto club AAA projects a record Fourth of July holiday weekend for travel with 40.7 million Americans expected to travel 50 miles or more from home.

That represents a 1.2 percent increase from last year, and the highest number of holiday weekend travelers ever projected by AAA Southern New England said in a press release today.

The holiday weekend follows Thursday's 50th anniversary of the interstate highway system, which was created when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act on June 29, 1956, AAA noted.

“Vacation travel has changed dramatically in the past 50 years and this will be no more obvious than during this holiday weekend, which is the biggest vacation travel weekend of the summer,” said Robert P. Murray, AAA Southern New England's senior vice president of corporate affairs.

AAA noted that this weekend’s drivers will have a much different travel experience than the highway travelers of 50 years ago.

Today’s highway vacationers will be paying more than $2.90 a gallon for gas compared to 22 cents in 1956, and the national average hotel rate will be $96.08 a night compared to $8.86 in 1956, AAA said.

And Orlando, Fla., has replaced Niagara Falls as the top vacation destination in the U.S., AAA said.

AAA estimates that 34.3 million travelers (80 percent of the total) expect to go by motor vehicle, a 1.3 percent increase from the 33.8 million who drove a year ago. Another 4.6 million plan to travel by airplane, the same number flying last Fourth of July.

Posted by Jack Perry at 11:11 AM | Comment

West Warwick police say woman, 41, was murdered

WEST WARWICK -- The police in West Warwick have arrested a resident for allegedly killing a female acquaintance in his apartment on Harris Avenue.

Brian Mlyniec, 43, is being arraigned this morning in connection with the death of Kelly Ann Anderson, 41, of Cranston, on Friday.

-- Journal Staff Writer Benjamin Gedan

Posted by Kate Bramson at 10:09 AM | Comment

Update: Burrillville man in serious condition after crash

GLOCESTER – A 27-year-old Burrillville man was seriously injured early this morning when he lost control of his Jeep on a curve.

The police say Eric Johnson, of Victory Highway, was driving westbound on Putnam Pike around 1:10 a.m. when he rolled his 2004 Jeep near the intersection of Chestnut Hill Road, according to a preliminary police investigation.

Johnson is in serious condition at Rhode Island Hospital this morning, spokeswoman Andrea Barbosa said.

The Jeep struck a guardrail before coming to rest on the driver's side, according to a news release issued by Police Lt. Joseph V. Mattera.

The Chepachet Fire Department transported Johnson to Rhode Island Hospital, according to Mattera. Glocester Patrolmen Charles Entwistle and Jeffrey Jenison are investigating the accident.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:31 AM | Comment

Arraignment today for man accused of shooting at police

WAKEFIELD – The man accused of firing a shotgun at state and Block Island police officers on Sunday night is expected to be arraigned in Fourth District Court, in Wakefield, this morning.

Ernesto A. Lacayo, 19, of 1746 Stratfield Rd., Fairfield, Conn., was arrested after fleeing from State Trooper Michael Reynolds, whom the police say just happened by chance to be in the area and see Lacayo walking toward the New Shoreham police station carrying a shotgun.

State Police Major Steven G. O’Donnell said yesterday that the police believe Lacayo had just one thing on his mind – killing police officers – when he walked toward that station.

When the police nabbed Lacayo, he tried to pull a buck knife from his backpack. The police discovered that Lacayo was also carrying a list of police officers’ names and addresses in that backpack, O’Donnell said.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:17 AM | Comment

Department investigating Coventry fire

COVENTRY – Firefighters are still on scene investigating an early morning fire at 40 Hill Farm Camp Rd., according to the Central Coventry Fire Department.

Coventry Police Sgt. Frederick Heise said the structure fire was reported at 3:09 a.m. More details are not yet available.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 8:59 AM | Comment

American Power Conversion to cut jobs in Ireland

American Power Conversion Corp, of West Kingston, plans to lay off 200 to 250 workers in its Castelbar, Ireland, facility, the company announced today.

The cuts will come primarily from manufacturing, operation and customer support, said APC, which makes equipment that keeps computers running during power failures.

The company says it plans to move some positions closer to customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

APC plans to keep some sales, information technology and research-and-development jobs in its Galway, Ireland, facility, the company said in a press release.

Rodger P. Dowdell Jr., the company's president and chief executive officer, said APC is trying to reduce operation costs and improve customer productivity by moving production to lower cost areas and deploying some jobs closer to customers.

The company expects the cuts to cost $4 to 5 million, primarily for severance payments.

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:29 AM | Comment

Providence Equity Partners in group to buy Univision

A buyout group including Providence Equity Partners will pay $12.3 billion for Univision Communications, the country's largest Spainish language broadcaster.

Providence Equity Partners, which is based here and manages about $9 billion in investments in media and communcations companies, combined with three other investment companies to win Univision.

Univision controls about 80 percent of the Spanish-language TV market in the United States.

-- Bloomberg

Posted by Peter Phipps at 7:07 AM | Comment

Respite from the rain

PROVIDENCE – We should get a respite from the rain today before it starts back up around 3 a.m. tomorrow or later tomorrow afternoon.

Today’s weather forecasters predict a mostly cloudy day will gradually become a mostly sunny day, with a high around 84. Tonight should bring fog, which could be dense in some areas.

Then the rain returns -- and potentially thunderstorms -- and the drizzle could stick around at least through Saturday.

Despite the lack of rain today, the flood warning for the Pawtuxet River in Cranston will continue until late morning. With a flood stage of 9 feet, the river was at 9.1 feet at 5 a.m. today. At 9 feet, minor lowland flooding will occur along the river through Warwick and Cranston.

Get the latest conditions and forecasts from projo.com.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:00 AM | Comment