11 children are found in alarm-rigged cages

Ohio

CLARKSFIELD TOWNSHIP-- Authorities found 11 children locked in cages rigged with alarms yesterday in a north Ohio home. The children, ages 1 to 14, were in cages in the walls of the home in Clarksfield Township, 50 miles west of Cleveland. They had no blankets or pillows, according to the Huron County Sheriff's Office. No information on the children's conditions was available. (AP)

California

2 convicted in slaying of transgender teen

HAYWARD -- Two men were convicted yesterday of murdering a transgender teen who was beaten, tied up, and strangled after they had sex with her and found she was biologically male. Michael Magidson and Jose Merel, both 25, face mandatory sentences of 15 years to life in prison for the killing of Gwen Araujo. The jury deadlocked in the case of a third man, Jason Cazares, 25. (AP)

Oregon

Bicyclist is charged in death of pedestrian

CORVALLIS -- A bicyclist was charged with manslaughter after he ran through a stop sign and struck and killed a 71-year-old woman, police said yesterday. Jean Calder died after she was struck Friday as she crossed a street at an unmarked crosswalk, police said. (AP)

Wisconsin

Witness says suspect shot at hunters first

HAYWARD -- A deer hunter testified yesterday that he never fired at a man accused of going on a rampage and fatally shooting six people after a confrontation over trespassing. Terry Willers, one of two hunters wounded Nov. 21, testified he was the only one in his group who had a gun when they confronted Chai Soua Vang. ''Who shot first?" Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager asked. ''Mr. Vang," said Willers, whose 27-year-old daughter was among those killed that day. (AP)