Free Republic

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) - Chile's Supreme Court on Thursday refused to strip Gen. Augusto Pinochet of his immunity from prosecution, blocking yet another attempt to try him for alleged human rights abuses during his dictatorship. The Court's 15-4 vote rejected a lower court ruling that would have stripped the 89-year-old former ruler of the legal immunity he enjoys as former president. In announcing its decision the Supreme Court did not immediately publish the text of its ruling, which is believed to be based mainly on Pinochet's deteriorated health. On Dec. 2, the Santiago Court of Appeals had voted 14-9 to...

Former mayor pleads innocent to psychic charge BY LYNN BREZOSKY Associated Press Writer McALLEN, Texas - The former mayor and bookkeeper of the tiny city of La Grulla pleaded innocent Friday to charges they used federal grant money to pay for tens of thousands of dollars in psychic consultations. Diana Cortez, the former mayor, and Sandra Lopez, the former bookkeeper, stood silently in casual street clothes as public defender Norman Mcinnis waived a reading of the indictment and entered innocent pleas. "She understands what she's accused of," Mcinnis said. "She doesn't want the indictment read in court." U.S. Magistrate Judge...