WASHINGTON - War protester Cindy Sheehan and several others pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of demonstrating without a permit outside the White House.
The protesters, who are being tried separately in one proceeding, took turns questioning police and arguing their cases Wednesday afternoon in front of U.S. Magistrate Alan Kay. They are scheduled to return to court today. Charges against at least nine were dismissed, leaving about 30 protesters facing possible fines but no jail time if found guilty.
Sheehan, who is expected to testify today, was arrested with about 300 other antiwar activists Sept. 26 during a weekend of protests in Washington.
Elsewhere . . .
WHO WON $315-MILLION PRIZE? A mom-and-pop gift shop in an Anaheim, Calif., strip mall swarmed Wednesday with reporters and would-be millionaires after selling the winning ticket for a $315-million "Mega Millions" multistate lottery. No one came forward immediately to claim the prize; the ticket must be redeemed within 180 days.
FIRST POST-KATRINA HOMICIDE: New Orleans police said a woman was stabbed to death, prompting the first homicide investigation in the city since Hurricane Katrina. Police said they found the woman dead inside the home of New Orleans poet Jon Newlin, 56. Newlin had been beaten, they said, and was in critical condition at a hospital. Friends told authorities they discovered the two Tuesday when they went to Newlin's home.
