News Briefs

Charges brought in Smart case

Charges have been brought against Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Ilene Barzee in the abduction of Elizabeth Smart, 15. The four first-degree felony charges include aggravated assault, burglary, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault. The two aggravated sexual assault charges state that Mitchell, with the assistance of Barzee, attempted to rape and forcibly sexually abuse Smart, or attempted forcible sexual abuse. The charges also allege that the teen was restrained by a cable and threatened with a knife to comply. Mitchell’s attorney said that his client considers Smart to be his wife and he still has feelings for the teen. Two felony charges of aggravated burglary and attempted aggravated kidnapping were filed against the pair for allegedly trying to break into the home of Smart’s cousin, Jessica Wright, July 24, 2002. Each of the six counts carries a life sentence. The Smart family is said to be cooperating with investigators. A trial is expected this summer.

VCU researcher finds new use for Viagra

Thanks to a VCU researcher, Viagra, a popular drug used to treat erectile dysfunction in men, may have a new use. A study conducted at the medical campus found that the drug stimulates the release of nitric oxide in heart cells, offering protection to a healthy heart against future damage. Nitric oxide is a dangerous gas that is formed in lightning strikes and car exhaust. It creates air pollution and irritates lungs. Despite the hazards the gas causes in the environment, it dilates blood vessels, which is why Viagra induces erections. The study was conducted with mice.

Berkeley gets tough on liars

The University of California at Berkeley is running background checks on prospective students in order to weed out the ones who lie on their applications. Five of the 100 students who qualified for admittance to the Haas School of Business were rejected last month after staff found they had made false claims on their applications. Most of the liars fudged how long they had been out of work, although one made up promotions. The university was inspired by the business school at the University of Pennsylvania, where applicants pay a $35 fee to have an outside firm verify their application.

University of Texas student hacks into school

A University of Texas student is being accused of hacking into the school’s computer system and stealing Social Security numbers and other personal information from more than 55,000 students, faculty and staff members. Christopher Andrew Phillips, 20, turned himself in on Friday morning. The computer science major said he wrote and executed a computer program to access a university Web site that tracks employees who attend training classes, but he had no intention of using the information to harm anyone. If convicted, Phillips could spend up to eight years in prison.

Three oil workers killed in Yemen

Three oil workers, one American and two Canadian, were killed by a gunman in Yemen Tuesday before he took his own life. The workers were drilling on a rig for Hunt Oil in Marib. The gunman has been identified as Naji Al Kumain, a Yemeni carpenter, who worked at the site. The man’s motives are under investigation, but he was heard saying, “I’ll take my revenge from those who write reports against me.” Authorities want to know how he was able to bring a weapon to the location. Drilling operations have been suspended for the time being.

France may help United States after all

Despite strained relations between the French and Americans, the French ambassador to the United States said Tuesday that the European country could assist a U.S.-led coalition should Iraq use biological and chemical weapons. Jean-David Levitte said France is equipped to fight in these circumstances. Officials in Paris emphasized that the remarks were based on a “strictly hypothetical question.”

Smothers’ son a porn star

Last year, the eldest son of humorist Dick Smothers, of Smothers Brothers, became a porn star. Dick Smothers Jr., 38, has already acted in several porn films, developed a Web-based X-rated game show and launched an adult entertainment Web site. The actor says his “incredibly overactive libido” has caused him to want to become “the Orson Welles of porn.” The young Smothers says he wants to not only perform in these films, but eventually write and direct them. His father, 64, neither condemns nor condones his son’s career path.