Metro Briefs

VIRGINIA

NORFOLK

Rescued sea captain thanks U.S. Navy

A merchant sea captain who was captured and held by Somali pirates has thanked the U.S. Navy crew and captain who were part of his daring rescue.

Richard Phillips stood Thursday on the fantail of the USS Bainbridge during the reunion with the skipper, Frank X. Castellano, and crew. The guided-missile destroyer was berthed in the Elizabeth River in downtown Norfolk.

Mr. Phillips called the Navy the real heroes in the high seas drama.

U.S. special forces snipers ended Mr. Phillips’ captivity in April with three shots that killed three pirates in the lifeboat where the New England mariner had been held for five days.

On Wednesday, Somali pirates attacked Mr. Phillips’ old ship, the Maersk Alabama, for the second time in seven months but were forced away.

MARYLAND

BALTIMORE

No verdict yet in Dixon case

Jurors in Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon’s theft trial ended their first day of deliberations without a verdict.

Visiting Judge Dennis Sweeney sent the jurors home Thursday afternoon after they deliberated about four hours. They will resume deliberations Friday.

Earlier Thursday, the defense and prosecution delivered closing arguments.

Prosecutors say Ms. Dixon used gift cards for the needy on personal shopping sprees.

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