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Couple appeal jury's $2 award
A Layton couple are appealing a federal jury's award of just $2 for the wrongful removal of their son by Utah child welfare caseworkers in 1999. Connie and James Roska sued three caseworkers at Utah's Division of Child and Family Services after a federal appeals court ruled caseworkers violated Utah law and could be held personally liable for taking custody of their 12-year-old son, Rusty, without a warrant or court order. A jury on July 2 awarded $1 for each parent. The Roskas' appeal was filed Aug. 1 at the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver.
Defendant wants judge, not a jury trial
A West Valley City man accused of starving his girlfriend's quadriplegic daughter while the woman was serving in Iraq will be tried by a judge rather than a jury. Michael James Bowden's request for a bench trial was granted Thursday by 3rd District Judge Robert Hilder over objections from prosecutors, who argued their consent is required. But the defense cited a recent Utah case that says the defendant has the right to choose the type of trial he wants. Bowden's second-degree felony child-abuse trial will begin Aug. 6. He allegedly allowed 5-year-old Jade Anzures to waste away to a mere 13 pounds before a relative took custody of the girl. The mother, Anahi Ferrando, had given Bowden legal custody of Jade when she joined the Army in November 2005.
Basement fire damages new home
A fire Thursday morning damaged a house under construction in Millcreek. Firefighters responded to a basement fire near 2500 East and Evergreen Avenue about 6:30 a.m. and discovered flames had spread through the floor. Nobody was in the house. A firefighter partially fell through the floor but was not seriously injured, said Unified Fire Authority spokesman Jay Torgersen. The fire caused significant damage to the single-story rambler, Torgersen said. Investigators have not determined the cause of the fire but do not expect foul play, Torgersen said.
Trial delayed in six-year-old slaying case
A man who allegedly killed a Salt Lake City convenience store clerk six years ago is scheduled to stand trial Nov. 26 before 3rd District Judge Deno Himonas. A trial set for this month was canceled because Marcus Lamont Crocker's defense team wanted more time to prepare. Crocker, 27, is charged with capital murder, which carries a possible death penalty. He is also charged with obstructing justice and illegal possession of a dangerous weapon. On Sept. 6, 2001, Crocker allegedly shot and killed 24-year-old Kang Ho Lee at the Sunshine Food Market, 1845 S. 700 East. Crocker, who had absconded parole, had been planning a robbery for a couple of days because he needed cash, according to three co-defendants who testified against him. Crocker got less than $100 from the till.
Man with knife robs sandwich shop
Provo police are looking for a man who allegedly used a hunting knife to threaten two Quiznos Subs restaurant employees and rob the cash register. The robbery occurred about 8:55 p.m. Wednesday at 1215 N. 500 West, Capt. Cliff Argyle reported. The Caucasian male, described as about 6 feet, 2 inches tall and stocky, entered the sandwich shop wearing a ski mask and dark clothing and announced he was robbing the restaurant and showed a 6-inch knife. The man then had a female employee open the register and took an unknown amount of money. Anyone with information about the robbery can contact the Provo police at 801-852-6210.
Touring motorcyclist killed in crash
A California man died Thursday afternoon when his motorcycle slammed into the back of a car that had slowed because a pedestrian was trying to take a picture of a dead deer on the side of the road. The crash that killed 64-year-old Scott Palmer of Saugus, Calif., occurred about 12:45 p.m. on State Road 14 near Duck Creek in Kane County, the Utah Highway Patrol reported. Palmer and another motorcyclist were riding east. The driver had slowed down on the two-lane road because the pedestrian was taking pictures. Palmer died at the scene. The other rider, 50-year-old James Palmer, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., was taken to a Salt Lake City hospital in critical condition.