Lawyer changes mind over life support
The court-appointed lawyer for Barbara Howe, the Massachusetts General Hospital patient debilitated by Lou Gehrig's disease, has changed his mind in favor of withdrawing her life support. The hospital has wanted to turn off Howe's ventilator for more than two years, but her daughter and healthcare proxy, Carol Carvitt, have fought it. On March 11, the two sides reached an agreement to withdraw Howe's life support by June 30. Yesterday, David Aptaker, the lawyer appointed to represent Howe, said he had a change of heart because her condition has deteriorated to the point where keeping her alive was ''moving toward cruelty. . . . I did not want to prolong someone's suffering."
Romney backs Grabauskas as T chief
Governor Mitt Romney offered words of support yesterday for Transportation Secretary Daniel A. Grabauskas to become the MBTA's next general manager, but he said the decision would be up to the T's nine-member board, of which Grabauskas is chairman. ''Clearly, he is a very capable individual who I would be happy to support in almost any position," Romney said in a brief interview. The Globe reported Saturday that Grabauskas had emerged as the leading candidate to replace Michael H. Mulhern.
Dorchester man faces murder charges
A Dorchester man was indicted yesterday on charges in a double killing last year on Castlegate Road in Dorchester. Renardo Williams, 28, was indicted on charges of first-degree murder and armed assault with intent to murder. The charges stem from the shooting death Aug. 2 of Jarrel Morris, 18, and Willie Bendolph, 34. Bendolph's brother, Anthony, 25, was injured in the shooting. Williams was captured in Portland, Maine, in January. He has been held without bail since last month, and his case will be heard in Suffolk Superior Court on April 22.
South End woman is attacked, robbed
A 62-year-old South End woman was attacked from behind, slashed across the abdomen, and robbed last night when entering her apartment building on Cumberland Street, police reported. The woman was in stable condition at Boston Medical Center last night, police reported. She described her attacker as a man in his late 20s to early 30s, medium build, and wearing a white sweatshirt and wave cap, Boston police Superintendent Bobbie Johnson said. The suspect stole about $300 and lottery tickets before fleeing down St. Botolph Street. Johnson said there were no witnesses to the attack and no weapon was recovered.
MELROSE
Burlington man dies in 1-car crash
A Burlington man was killed yesterday in Melrose when he lost control of his vehicle and hit a telephone pole, utility pole, and tree, police reported. The one-car accident occurred about 1 p.m. near Lynn Fells Parkway East and Washington Street. The driver, Norman W. Douglas Jr., 43, was the vehicle's only occupant, and he was not wearing his seat belt, police reported. Speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in the crash, which is under investigation, State Police reported.
HULL
Infant in mauling upgraded to stable
The condition of the infant who was mauled by a family dog in Hull was upgraded yesterday from critical to stable, Department of Social Services spokeswoman Denise Monteiro said. The department's investigation of the mauling will take up to 10 days, she said. The names of the baby girl, who is about 7 or 8 days old, and her parents have not been released. The child apparently was attacked by the dog between 4 and 6 a.m. Sunday and was being treated at Children's Hospital in Boston, authorities said.
SPRINGFIELD
Pay hike urged for lawyers of the poor
The chairman of a special legislative commission says it will recommend another raise for private lawyers representing the poor that could boost their pay in felony cases by 50 percent. Representative John Rogers, a Norwood Democrat and House majority leader, said yesterday that the commission had not settled on an amount, but ''every member believes that the compensation should be higher." Rogers said the range of increases being considered by the commission would boost the pay to $40-to-$70 an hour for district court cases and $60-to-$75 an hour for superior court cases. The raises would have to be approved by the Legislature, which voted last year to raise the pay of the so-called bar advocates by $7.50 per hour across the board. That action followed the refusal by some lawyers to take new cases. (Staff and wire reports)
