Briefs

Behl killer wants conviction overturned

The man sentenced to 30 years in prison for the death of VCU student Taylor Behl is asking his sentence to be overturned. Benjamin Fawley entered a plea in 2006 admitting there was enough evidence to be convicted in Behl’s killing. Fawley claims he accidentally cut off Behl’s oxygen during rough sexual intercourse then panicked and disposed of her body.

The request to overturn Fawley’s conviction states he was not of sound mind when he entered the plea and did so on bad advice from his court-appointed attorney.

Information provided by The Associated Press

Roads opened for Labor Day

During the Labor Day weekend, the Virginia Department of Transportation will open lanes on major roadways that have been closed temporarily for construction or maintenance.

The lanes will be open from noon Friday until noon Tuesday. Long-term construction zones with concrete barriers and orange barrels will remain in place.

Information provided by The Associated Press

Pulitzer Prize winner Va. poet laureate

Claudia Emerson, a University of Mary Washington professor and a Pulitzer Prize winner, has been named poet laureate for Virginia, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced Tuesday.

Emerson won the Pulitzer Prize for her book of poetry “Late Wife,” a collection of handwritten letters about the poet’s failed marriage of 19 years and about her relationship with her second husband. Emerson succeeds Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda, who served in the post since 2006.

Information provided by The Associated Press

Researchers to pursue cancer study

The VCU Massey Cancer Center has opened a clinical study for certain sub-types of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The study, to be used for patients whose cancer has grown despite other treatment regimens, is based on research by VCU and other cancer centers in Fla., N.C., Tenn. and N.Y. Researchers intend to discover both if a combination of two recently approved drugs, bortezomib and vorinostat, will be effective and what the side effects will be.

Information provided by VCU News Center

Monks must end Va. Beach-home services

The Virginia Beach City Council says Buddhist monks must stop conducting services at their home in the city’s rural Pungo section.

The council voted Tuesday night to deny the monks’ request to use their home for Sunday services for two more years.

An attorney for the Buddhist Education Center for America Inc. says he is concerned the monks’ religious rights have been violated. Proponents of the monks said the men are peaceful and have helped people by teaching them about Buddhism.

However, many of the neighbors in the residential area objected to the temple, because the services bring a lot of traffic into the neighborhood. The monks have had trouble finding a new location for their temple. They also have had trouble finding a buyer for the house in the current housing market.

Information provided by The Associated Press