Restrictions are lifted on accused priest
A Roman Catholic priest who had been accused of sexually abusing a child has been approved to return to the ministry after a church review panel found that the allegation was unsubstantiated, the Boston Archdiocese said. The Rev. Robert Fichtner was placed on administrative leave in 2003, after the archdiocese received a complaint that he had sexually abused a child at St. Joseph Church in Holbrook more than 20 years earlier. In a statement released yesterday, the archdiocese said the review board could not verify the allegation after ''careful review of the information available" and lifted all restrictions on Fichtner's exercise of public ministry. (AP)
Trial delayed in cookie store slaying
The trial of a man accused in a 1989 slaying at a Beacon Hill cookie store was delayed yesterday after the defendant fired his lawyer on the day jury selection was scheduled to begin. Carl Odware, 34, is accused of stabbing to death Naveen Giri during an attempted robbery at the Mrs. Field's cookie store where Giri worked, which was formerly located at the bottom of Beacon Hill. Odware wasn't charged in the case until 2002, when fingerprints taken from the crime scene were matched to his. Odware is serving a life sentence for the 1994 murder of a teenager outside a Lynn pizzeria. Just before jury selection was to begin, Odware told Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Donovan he wanted a new lawyer. She granted his request and ordered both sides to return to court next month for a status hearing. (AP)
DSS probes alleged abuse in classroom
The state Department of Social Services is investigating a report that a Dorchester student was abused by his substitute teacher at John Marshall Elementary school, spokeswoman Denise Monteiro said. Based on the report, which was received Monday, officials are investigating whether Anthony Jackson, 12, was ''maltreated or abused" by the teacher, Monteiro said. The investigation, which began yesterday, will span 10 days, Monteiro said. Neither school officials nor the boy's family could be reached last night for comment. The teacher's name was not released.
CAMBRIDGE
Juvenile hearing held in Medford case
A pretrial hearing for three juveniles charged with assaulting police officers in Medford in April was continued yesterday until July 5. Those who attended the closed hearing in Cambridge Juvenile Court said that prosecutors discussed the allegations, but that the court took no action. The two 16-year-olds and a 15-year-old, along with Calvin Belfon Jr. and Isaiah E. Anderson, both 17, allegedly refused police requests to leave an area and harassed customers at a nearby Store 24. When approached by police, the teenagers assaulted the officers, police said. The teenagers and their families maintain that the officers assaulted them.
Man is arrested after attack in park
A Cambridge man was arrested yesterday, police said, after he attacked a group of men playing basketball at Riverside Press Park about 5 a.m. Samson Gebre, 20, is expected to be charged today with unlawful carrying of a firearm, assault by means of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition, said Frank Pasquarello, spokesman for Cambridge police. Gebre approached the group of basketball players with a gun in his hand and threatened them, Pasquarello said. The men, aged 18 to 20, wrestled Gebre to the ground, took the gun from him, and called police. Gebre was taken to a local hospital for minor injuries to his face.
MEDFORD
Stoughton man arrested on drug charges
A Stoughton man wanted for aggravated assault and numerous larcenies was arrested by Medford police last night after they responded to a tip that he was hiding in a residence. Steven Reznikow, 35, struggled with police after he was found behind a door in a Lambert Street home, police said. Reznikow was arrested and gave a false name while being booked, police said. He was charged with larceny and cocaine possession, among other things, police said.
MERRIMACK, N.H.
Student dies after swimming near dam
A 22-year-old college student from Neptune, N.J., apparently drowned yesterday afternoon in a restricted public water supply, authorities said. Police said John Blonsky was swimming with a friend near a dam in Bowers Pond, owned by Pennichuck Water Works, when he went under. The friend called for help but the rescue team that responded could not revive the Thomas More College student. (AP)
