Briefs: Alexandria, VA. Al-Arian is subpoenaed, lawyer says

By Times Staff Writer
Published March 4, 2008

A lawyer for a former University of South Florida professor who has refused for nearly two years to testify to a grand jury investigating Muslim charities and businesses says his client is being subpoenaed for a third time.

Defense lawyer Jonathan Turley wrote in his blog Monday that the subpoena puts Sami Al-Arian at risk for another contempt of court sanction.

Prosecutors alleged that Al-Arian was a leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. But his 2005 trial ended in an acquittal on some counts and a hung jury on others. He eventually pleaded guilty to lesser charges.

Since then, prosecutors in Alexandria have sought his testimony for a related investigation. But Al-Arian has refused to testify.

SEFFNER

Two pedestrians killed on U.S. 92

Two pedestrians were struck and killed while crossing U.S. 92 on Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Investigators said Martin Glenn Ferguson, 42, and an unidentified 44-year-old man from Thonotosassa were trying to cross U.S. 92 near Williams Road about 7 p.m. when they were struck by a Dodge van driven by 50-year-old Randy Joe Chambers.

Ferguson was pronounced dead at the scene; the unidentified man was pronounce d dead at University Community Hospital.

The crash remains under investigation.

DOVER

Vehicle strikes man on State Road 60

An unidentified man was struck and killed Sunday while crossing a dark area of State Road 60 near Jerry Smith Road, Florida Highway Patrol investigators said.

Brenton A. Wellmaker, 28, of Tampa was driving west on SR 60 in a 2008 Maxima and did not see the man in time to avoid a collision, the patrol said in a statement.

The victim was pronounced dead at Tampa General Hospital.

No charges have been filed. The investigation continues.

[Last modified March 3, 2008, 23:59:29]