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Police: Killer angry over bad investment:

By TIMES WIRES
Published February 14, 2007

An investor who killed three people and himself at a marketing company was upset about losing money in a failed real estate venture and told his victims to "say your prayers" before he opened fire, police said.

Vincent J. Dortch, 44, of Newark, Del., brought two handguns to a Monday night meeting he had organized, authorities said.

Minutes after the meeting started, Dortch told his victims: "You have a minute or two to say your prayers," Inspector Joseph Fox said.

Police identified the dead men as Robert Norris, 41, of Newark, Del.; his brother Mark Norris, 46, of Pilesgrove, N.J.; and James Reif, 42, of Endicott, N.Y.

TOPEKA, KAN.

Kansas repeals rules on teaching evolution

The Kansas state Board of Education on Tuesday repealed science guidelines questioning evolution that had drawn national criticism.

The new guidelines represent a political defeat for advocates of "intelligent design," who had helped write the standards that are being jettisoned.

The intelligent design concept holds that life is so complex that it must have been created by a higher authority.

The board on Tuesday removed language suggesting that key evolutionary concepts - such as a common origin for all life on Earth and change in species creating new ones - were controversial and being challenged by new research.

LAS VEGAS

Arrested priest makes first court appearance

A Roman Catholic priest accused of beating and sexually assaulting a female employee at a southern Nevada parish office made his initial court appearance in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

The Rev. George Chaanine stood shackled as he was represented by a Clark County public defender during his brief appearance in Las Vegas Justice Court.

Chaanine was not asked to enter a plea on charges including attempted murder, sexual assault, kidnapping and battery.

Chaanine, 52, is accused of hitting a church soloist over the head with a wine bottle and attacking her Jan. 26 at the Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic Church office.

WASHINGTON

Military eases policy on criminal waivers

The Army and Marine Corps are letting in more recruits with criminal records, including some with felony convictions, reflecting the increased pressure of five years of war.

According to data compiled by the Defense Department, the number of Army and Marine recruits needing waivers for felonies and serious misdemeanors, including minor drug offenses, has grown since 2003. The Army granted more than double the number of waivers for felonies and misdemeanors in 2006 than it did in 2003.

The military routinely grants waivers to recruits who have criminal records that would otherwise disqualify them. The majority are moral waivers, which include some felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic and drug offenses.

Army and Defense Department officials defended the waiver program as a way to admit people who may have made a mistake early in life but have overcome past behavior.

[Last modified February 14, 2007, 01:06:42]