Digest

Dateline Florida

By Times Wires
Published October 25, 2007

FOR SECOND TIME, SENTENCE IS DEATH FOR CHILD KILLER

Howard Steven Ault lured the young sisters to his apartment that day in 1996 with promises of Halloween candy. He raped the oldest girl, 11, before strangling them both. He hid their bodies in his attic. On Wednesday, a Fort Lauderdale judge sentenced Ault, 41, to death for the crime, the Associated Press reported. It wasn't the first time. The first sentence, imposed eight years ago, was thrown out because a potential juror was wrongly dismissed. "To say that Howard Steven Ault's conduct in this matter sets a standard for heinous, atrocious or cruel is no great insight," Circuit Judge Marc Gold said. "In truth, it simply states what is obvious." Ault's attorney argued for leniency, saying his client was mentally ill and sexually abused as a child.

U.S. puts lien on Kirk's home

Former Gov. Claude R. Kirk Jr. has settled a lawsuit over unpaid income taxes, agreeing to allow the federal government to put a lien on his home, the Associated Press reports. Kirk, who became governor in 1966, owes $320,374 dating back to 1995, plus fees and interest, says a lawsuit filed in March. In papers filed Monday, Kirk, 81, agreed to allow the government to put a lien on his West Palm Beach home for the amount owed. His three-bedroom home has a market value of $264,225.

[Last modified October 25, 2007, 00:14:40]