Federal attorney delays Albuquerque police probe
(AP) - The U.S. attorney's office is holding off on investigating problems at the Albuquerque Police Department's evidence room.
"It would be premature to launch a federal investigation, especially given the fact the AG (state attorney general) is already conducting a criminal investigation," said Norm Cairns, an assistant U.S. attorney.
The U.S. attorney's office would assist if state Attorney General Patricia Madrid requests federal help, he said Friday.
The attorney general's office began investigating the room last year after allegations of missing evidence surfaced.
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Man who wounded 2 officers has a record
(AP) - A man who wounded two Albuquerque police officers before they fatally shot him had a criminal record, authorities said.
Scott McMyne, 25, had recently been released from prison, where he served time for a homicide conviction, said police spokeswoman Trish Ahrensfield. She did not know in which state he was sentenced.
An arrest warrant had been issued for McMyne, a documented gang member from California, because he was on probation but never reported to authorities, Ahrensfield said.
Families greet returning NM National Guard units
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - Family members welcomed home about 150 New Mexico Army National Guard members who had been serving in Iraq.
Members of the 642nd Maintenance Company of Las Cruces and the 1115th Transportation Company of Taos arrived Saturday at Fort Bliss, Texas, said Tom Koch, New Mexico National Guard spokesman.
About 400 family members awaited their arrival.
Schiavo family asks protesters to go home
PINELLAS PARK, Fla. (AP) - With their hopes of a miracle fading and other options exhausted, Terri Schiavo's parents and siblings appeared quietly resigned Sunday and asked protesters to spend Easter with their families as the severely brain-damaged woman spent a ninth day without food and water.
Those outside the hospice where Schiavo is being cared for were not as calm, with the first of what would be four morning arrests coming as ministers attempted to bring Schiavo Easter communion. About a half-dozen people in wheelchairs later got out of them and lay in the driveway, shouting, "We're not dead yet!"
Bush prays for troops, peace at Easter service
FORT HOOD, Texas - President Bush attended an Easter service Sunday at Fort Hood where he offered prayers for peace and the well-being of American soldiers and their families.
For the third straight year, the president made the 50-mile helicopter flight from his ranch in Crawford to mark Christianity's highest holiday at the largest active-duty armored post in the military and one that has contributed thousands of troops to U.S. forces in Iraq.
"I want to wish all the fellow citizens and their families a happy Easter," Bush told reporters after the service. "We prayed for peace, we prayed for our soldiers and their families. It's an honor to be here at Fort Hood to celebrate Easter with those who wear the nation's uniform."
Jackson says he's a victim of a conspiracy
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Declaring himself "completely innocent" of child molestation charges, Michael Jackson said Sunday that he is the victim of a conspiracy and asked fans around the world to pray for him.
In an interview with the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the entertainer would not elaborate on his conspiracy belief, citing the court-imposed gag order that prevents him from discussing his trial in detail.
Pope, unable to speak, blesses Easter pilgrims
VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope John Paul II delivered an Easter Sunday blessing to tens of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square, but the ailing pontiff was unable to speak and managed only to greet the saddened crowd with a sign of the cross, bringing tears to many. Aides had readied a microphone, and the pope tried to utter a few words from his studio window overlooking the square. After making a few sounds, he blessed the crowd with his hand and the microphone was taken away.
Al Qaeda video purports to show official's murder
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Al Qaeda in Iraq released a video Sunday claiming to show the murder of an Interior Ministry official, while debate raged about religion's place in Iraq's much-anticipated new government as lawmakers were summoned to their second session.
As frustration grows over the slow progress in forming a new government two months after historic elections, guards fired on government workers demanding their wages in Baghdad, injuring three people.
Supporters of interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi criticized the involvement of the religious authority in politics, while Abdel-Aziz al-Hakim, leader of the Shiite-led United Iraqi Alliance, defended the role of the clergy.
