Judge urged to reverse Moussaoui case ruling

Federal prosecutors yesterday implored a judge to reverse her decision banning key witnesses from testifying at the death penalty trial of Zacarias Moussaoui, saying the misconduct of a government lawyer whom they labeled a ''lone miscreant" should not imperil the case. Calling it unprecedented and ''grossly punitive," prosecutors said her ruling devastates their argument that Moussaoui should be executed for the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. US District Judge Leonie Brinkema on Tuesday barred seven witnesses and all aviation security evidence from the trial, saying the actions of a Transportation Security Administration lawyer, Carla J. Martin, had tainted the process. (Washington Post)

CALIFORNIA

SAN FRANCISCO -- Sirhan Sirhan, who assassinated Robert Kennedy in 1968 while the New York senator was campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination, lost his 13th bid for parole yesterday. Sirhan, who turns 62 Sunday, has been seeking to win his freedom since 1972. Had the Board of Parole recommended his release, the matter would have gone to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for final review. ''The panel found that he continues to pose an unacceptable risk to public safety, and felt that he was not suitable for parole," Tip Kindel, a spokesman for the Board of Prison Terms, said of Sirhan. Sirhan, a Palestinian immigrant, was originally sentenced to death for fatally shooting Kennedy in the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles as the senator was celebrating a victory in the California Democratic presidential primary. (Reuters)

PISMO BEACH -- A man armed with two handguns opened fire inside a Denny's restaurant during lunch hour yesterday, killing two people and wounding a married couple before killing himself, police said. As many as 15 people were in the restaurant at the time, authorities said. Many fled or hid in bathrooms. ''The witnesses described him as coming in with a dazed look on his face, then they said he started shooting," said the police chief, Joe Cortez. The wounded couple were released from the hospital, authorities said. (AP)