Husband's double-murder trial to begin

A Framingham man is set to go on trial for allegedly beating his wife and 11-year-old stepson to death after becoming frustrated with her involvement in the Mormon church. Jury selection is scheduled to begin today in Woburn Superior Court in the double-murder trial of Jeremias Bins. He pleaded not guilty to killing his wife, Carla Souza, and her son, Caique, in the family's home on May 20, 2006. Bins, a 32-year-old native of Brazil, allegedly used a hammer to kill his wife and son. They died of multiple skull fractures. Bins allegedly told police that two hours before the beatings he contacted representatives of the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and voiced his "anger and displeasure" at Souza's involvement with them. (AP)

Authorities responding to a small propane-tank fire yesterday morning condemned a Walpole home after finding it packed with garbage and other materials, and cats roaming the property. Fire Captain David Kehoe said neighbors called in the fire after hearing a loud boom at the Pleasant Street property. The Walpole Building Department condemned the property, pending an investigation. Kehoe identified the home's owner as Ed Burke, a former suspect in the 1998 murder of his sister-in-law's mother in Bird Park. He was cleared by DNA evidence after spending more than a month in prison.

A veteran New Bedford police officer has denied posting a picture of himself in uniform on the Internet seeking female companionship. But Mayor Scott Lang says an investigation will be conducted to determine whether Officer Norman Duchesneau violated department policy. The picture of Duchesneau was posted on Craigslist.com under "casual encounters" in August and asks, "Do you have a cop fantasy?" It shows him sitting in a cruiser, apparently taking a picture of himself. His shoulder patch designating his department cannot be seen. Police Lieutenant Jeffrey Silva confirmed it is a city officer, but said it was unclear who posted the photo. Duchesneau, who has been with the department since 1986, told WJAR-TV that he did not post the picture. He remains on active duty. (AP)

A 12-year-old girl who suffered serious head injuries after falling out of a moving sport utility vehicle in Tolland on Saturday has died, the State Police said yesterday. The State Police did not release the victim's name or other details about the case, referring calls to the office of the Hampden County district attorney, which could not be reached yesterday. The girl had been flown by helicopter to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield for treatment after the fall.

A group searching for Neo Babson Maximus, a University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth student, discovered animal bones yesterday in the area where Maximus disappeared last October, according to a spokesman for Bristol District Attorney C. Samuel Sutter. State, local, and campus police responded to a call about noon for bones found near Lucy Little Road, spokesman Gregg Miliote said. The medical examiner determined last night that the bones were deer remains, Miliote said. Maximus, also known as Charles M. Allen Jr., was last seen Oct. 12, 2007, near College Lane in North Dartmouth. Police do not suspect foul play, but Maximus has a history of medical issues, which they said may have contributed to his disappearance. Maximus is described as a white male, about 6 feet tall, with a slim build, light-brown hair, and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing sneakers and dark sweat pants with a red stripe and carrying a white, long-sleeve shirt.

The Seabrook Station nuclear power plant will conduct an emergency siren test on Oct. 25. The 121 sirens in New Hampshire and Massachusetts will sound at 12:30 p.m. New Hampshire Homeland Security Director Christopher Pope said the test will let residents hear what the emergency sirens sound like. The demonstration will last several minutes. (AP)