IN BRIEF
10 TO 25 YEARS IN PRISON
LV man sentenced for death of girlfriend's 3-year-old son
A Las Vegas man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder by child neglect for failing to seek prompt medical treatment for his girlfriend's ailing 3-year-old son in June 2005 was sentenced to 10 to 25 years in prison Thursday.
Jose Luis Rubio agreed to the plea in August while jury selection for his trial was under way. Rubio originally was charged with first-degree murder by child abuse, which carries a minimum of 20 years in prison.
Authorities said Rubio was caring for Joseph Rivera on June 13, 2005, when he contacted the boy's mother because the child was ill.
Rubio drove the boy to his mother, who was at work at Mandalay Bay, passing several hospitals along the way, authorities said. The boy eventually was taken to a hospital, where he died.
Investigators determined the child died from a recent severe blow to his abdomen that ruptured his pancreas.
The sentence was handed down by District Judge Abbi Silver.
NORTH OF KINGMAN CITY LIMITS
Sheriff's office investigates death of 85-year-old man
The slaying of an 85-year-old man just north of the Kingman city limits in northwest Arizona is under investigation by the Mohave County sheriff's office.
Department spokeswoman Trish Carter said a roommate notified authorities at 1:43 p.m. Wednesday after returning home and finding the man on the living room floor of the residence in the 4500 block of Vernetti Lane.
Carter said the victim was identified as Robert Egar Buss.
She said that Buss appeared to have died of multiple stab wounds.
DEATH SENTENCE POSSIBLE
Arizonan convicted of murder in death of 14-year-old niece
An Arizona man faces a possible death sentence after being convicted of first-degree murder in the death of his 14-year-old niece.
A jury deliberated a little less than an hour Thursday before returning a verdict in the case against Brad Nelson, 39, of Golden Valley.
Prosecutors argued that Nelson molested Amber Graff before clubbing her to death in the head with a rubber mallet in a Kingman motel in June 2006.
Superior Court Judge Richard Weiss dismissed a child molestation charge after the state rested its case, finding in favor of the defense contention that the state didn't meet its burden of proof on that count.
The defense conceded that Nelson killed the girl but argued that no premeditation existed and that a second-degree murder conviction was appropriate.
The state contended that Nelson's walk to Kmart where he bought the mallet before returning to the motel constituted planning and premeditation.
The jury will return Dec. 2 for the sentencing phase of the trial. The possible punishment ranges from 35 years in prison to the death penalty.
MEALS ON WHEELS
3 million seniors at risk for hunger, charity's study says
A new study by the Meals on Wheels Association of America shows roughly 3 million seniors are at risk of being hungry.
The charity said in the study that poverty correlates with hunger, but most seniors who have trouble getting food live above poverty levels.
The study released Thursday and presented to federal lawmakers is an extension of a study from last year. It was conducted by researchers from the University of Kentucky and the University of Illinois.
The study was underwritten by the charitable arm of casino operator Harrah's Entertainment Inc., the charity's largest corporate donor.
SKY HARBOR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Couple accused of stealing hundreds of pieces of luggage
An Arizona couple have been indicted in the theft of nearly 1,000 pieces of luggage from baggage claim carousels at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Maricopa County prosecutors said the 45-count indictment announced Thursday charges 61-year-old Keith King and his 38-year-old wife, Stacy Legg King, with theft, burglary and trafficking in stolen property.
Phoenix police arrested the Waddell couple on Nov. 2 on allegations that they had been taking luggage from the airport for at least a year. Police also said the Kings' house northwest of Phoenix had stolen luggage and belongings piled from floor to ceiling.
