Metro Briefs

DISTRICT

Ex-school official admits to theft

A former school official who oversaw the school system’s financial integrity has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $46,000.

Eugene Smith was sentenced in federal court yesterday on charges he stole the money several months after he stopped working for the school system as director of internal audit in 2002.

Prosecutors said that although Smith was no longer working for the city, he was able to use a debit card he had improperly obtained to access an account he put under his personal control.

MARYLAND

BEL AIR

Victim’s father throws cane at suspect

The father of a man killed aboard a prison bus threw his cane at the defendant during the second day of the man’s capital murder trial.

“What are you smiling at?” Philip Parker Sr. yelled Tuesday as a sheriff’s deputy and two correctional officers quickly moved on top of Kevin Johns, who is charged with killing Philip Parker Jr. in 2005. Several other officers and deputies escorted Mr. Parker, 43, out of the courtroom.

Sgt. Paul Cole of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office said Mr. Parker would be charged with disorderly conduct and perhaps other offenses.

COLUMBIA

Man, 83, denied bail in assault on wife

A Howard County judge said it is frightening that an 83-year-old Columbia man attacked his 81-year-old wife with a hammer.

Judge Patricia Pytash denied bail for Calvin Payne yesterday. He was charged with attempted murder after police found his bloodied wife at their home Monday night.

At the bail hearing, the couple’s son, Cedric Payne, said his father is too dangerous to be released. And the elderly man’s nephew, Eric Figueroa, said the suspect is a violent man.

Prosecutors said Alma Payne has four broken fingers and head injuries and could lose her eyesight. .

VIRGINIA

RICHMOND

Suspect arrested after UR gun scare

The University of Richmond said police arrested a suspect in Tuesday’s report of a man wth a gun that led to a four-hour campus lockdown.

Spokeswoman Linda Evans said yesterday that a man was in custody, but she had no further details.

Witnesses said the man wore a fake beard and a dark-colored jacket with the word “sheriff” on the back.

From wire dispatches and staff reports