New England in brief
Psychiatrist focus of probe in girl's death
April 30, 2009
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BOSTON
The psychiatrist of Rebecca Riley, the 4-year-old who died of an overdose of psychiatric drugs in 2006, is the focus of a grand jury probe in Plymouth County that is expected to be completed in about a month, according to an attorney and court records. The disclosure was made yesterday during a hearing in a malpractice suit brought against Dr. Kayoko Kifuji by the administrator for the girl's estate. Kifuji's lawyers sought to delay her deposition, set for tomorrow, saying it put her at "potential risk of self-incrimination" given the pending criminal matter, according to a court filing. One of her lawyers, Bruce Singal, referred to a grand jury panel that was now or will soon be hearing evidence, according to Ben Novotny, a lawyer representing the girl's estate. Singal did not return calls for comment. He has called Kifuji a caring psychiatrist who prescribed appropriate bipolar medications for the child. The girl's parents have been charged in her death.21,000 sign to back Menino reelection
Mayor Thomas M. Menino's reelection campaign said yesterday that it had submitted approximately 21,000 nomination signatures from Boston voters that his supporters had collected Tuesday. The sum is more than the 3,000 required by May 19 to qualify for the ballot. It also exceeds the 4,081 signatures Councilor Michael F. Flaherty's campaign submitted Tuesday, prompting Menino's aides to brag about their electoral muscle. "It's good for our campaign," said Emily Nowlin, Menino's campaign director. "We're thrilled with the results."CAMBRIDGE
Manhole fire disrupts Lesley campus
A fire in a manhole on Oxford Street near the Lesley University campus in Cambridge caused college officials to order an evacuation yesterday, but no injuries were reported and students were able to return to their classrooms later in the afternoon. A fire broke out when an underground cable failed at about 1 p.m., said Mike Durand, a spokesman for Bank robbery follows attempt nearby
A man passed a note to a teller and robbed a bank in Cambridge yesterday afternoon just a half-hour after an attempted bank robbery in Brighton. The Concord, N.H.
House keeps governor's term to two years
New Hampshire governors will still have to run for reelection every two years. The House killed a plan yesterday to ask voters to amend the state Constitution to double the term to four years. The measure was approved in the Senate. Supporters argued that a four-year term would give governors more time to govern. They say governors are barely in office before they have to begin raising money for the next election. (AP)BROCKTON
Murder suspect's arraignment postponed
The arraignment of a Brockton man accused of rape and murder was postponed yesterday. Keith Luke, 22, who was indicted by a Plymouth County grand jury, had been scheduled to appear in Superior Court today. According to a police report, Luke told police he was "fighting extinction" of the white race and had stockpiled 200 rounds of ammunition to kill blacks, Hispanics, and Jews. Luke's lawyer declined to comment on the allegations. Luke is charged with raping a woman and killing two people in January. (AP)
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