Judge denies injunction against senator

A judge has denied a request for an unusual civil rights injunction against state Senator James Marzilli that would bar him from harassing all women in Massachusetts. Attorney Wendy Murphy had sought the civil rights protection after three women she represents accused the Arlington Democrat of accosting them. A civil rights violation would have carried a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. Marzilli is charged in criminal court with sexually harassing four women in Lowell. He has pleaded not guilty. Middlesex Superior Court Judge Sandra Hamlin denied the preliminary injunction request Friday.

A former Watertown lawyer who was convicted Monday in US District Court of possession of six Impressionist paintings that had been stolen from a Berkshires house in 1978 was ordered detained yesterday, pending his sentencing in November. US District Judge Mark L. Wolf ordered Robert M. Mardirosian, 74, to be taken into custody following yesterday's hearing, saying that he presented a flight risk. Mardirosian had flown to France in 2006 after federal prosecutors told his lawyers that he faced the possibility of being indicted in the case, the judge said. Wolf made his ruling despite doctors' statements introduced at the hearing that Mardirosian suffers from several medical problems, including the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

The city is increasing funding for home-energy assistance and planning a September summit to address an expected increase in home heating costs this winter. Mayor Thomas M. Menino said yesterday that the city received a $200,000 donation from National Grid for the city's HeatWorks program, which helps residents, especially seniors, make their homes more energy-efficient. The city will match the donation, for a total increase of $400,000. Also, the city will hold a "Food and Fuel" summit on Sept. 27 at Roxbury's Madison Park High School to raise money and spread the word about city and nonprofit services available for people who need assistance paying their heating and grocery bills, city officials said.

A Springfield judge has set an Oct. 1 hearing to determine whether a brain-injured girl is able to testify at the trial of her stepfather, who is accused of abusing her. Haleigh Poutre was hospitalized with a severe head injury in 2005 when she was 11 years old. Her case drew attention when her condition improved just after state child welfare officials got court permission to withdraw her feeding tube, saying she had no brain function. Her case led to a new state child protection law. Haleigh's stepfather, Jason Strickland, has pleaded not guilty to assault charges and faces trial Oct. 16. (AP)

A Norwood man was indicted Aug. 14 on one count of second-degree murder in connection with a May beating outside his mother's home, according to the Norfolk district attorney's office. Kevin S. Schultz, 39, is being charged with beating Scott Haynes to death on May 17 in Norwood. Schultz was arrested at the crime scene later that day and pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge in Dedham District Court. The charge was changed when he was indicted on the second-degree murder charge. District Attorney William R. Keating said the Superior Court arraignment date has not been set, but is expected in the coming weeks.

Sean Fitzpatrick, a New Hampshire man on trial in Middlesex Superior Court on charges that he killed his estranged wife's lover and another man who may have witnessed the homicide, is expected to testify today. Fitzpatrick, 46, is accused of killing Michael Zammitti, Jr., 39, in his family's concrete pumping business in Wakefield on March 13, 2006. Fitzpatrick is also accused of killing Chester Roberts, 54, a sometime employee who prosecutors contend was shot because he witnessed Zammitti's slaying. Prosecutors say Fitzpatrick was having a relationship with Zammitti's wife and wanted him out of the way. The Commonwealth closed its case against Fitzpatrick yesterday after a State Police crime lab technician testified that the DNA evidence, taken from a stolen car believed to have been driven by Fitzpatrick from New Hampshire to Wakefield on the day of the homicides, matches the defendant's. Fitzpatrick faces two counts of first-degree murder. He has pleaded not guilty. Closing arguments are also expected today.