American Scene: Death penalty voided in killing of rocker’s mom

3 teens charged in man’s fatal beating

CHICAGO — A judge has denied bail for three Chicago teenagers accused of taking part in the beating death of a disabled man and posting a video of the attack on Facebook.

During a hearing Monday, Nicholas Ayala, 17, and Anthony Malcolm, 18, were denied bail. Investigators say the two took turns recording the beating with a cellphone. The third suspect, Malik Jones, 16, was denied bail Sunday.

The three are charged with first-degree murder in last week’s death of Delfino Mora, 62.

Authorities allege Mr. Jones struck Mr. Mora in the face as Mr. Mora was collecting cans in an alley. Mr. Mora fell and struck his head on the concrete. The father of 12 died the next day.

Authorities say Mr. Mora didn’t have full use of his right arm because of a construction accident.

FLORIDA

Teen convicted in school beating case

FORT LAUDERDALE — A jury on Monday convicted a teenager of attempted murder in a vicious kicking and stomping attack on a girl outside a middle school in 2010, rejecting his claims of insanity.

The jury deliberated just over four hours before returning the guilty verdict in the trial of Wayne Treacy in the attack on then-15-year-old Josie Lou Ratley. Treacy, 17, could get up to 50 years in prison for the conviction of attempted first-degree murder with a deadly weapon — the steel-toed boots he used to nearly crush the girl’s skull.

The crux of the case was whether jurors would buy Treacy’s defense that he was not responsible because he suffered from severe post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from his brother’s suicide a few months before. The March 2010 attack happened after Miss Ratley enraged Treacy by sending him a taunting text message about his dead brother.

Experts on both sides agreed Treacy has PTSD. But prosecution psychiatrists testified that Treacy clearly knew right from wrong and understood the consequences of his actions.

Circuit Judge David Haimes said he would schedule sentencing at a later date.

OHIO

Investigators: Teen suspected in drug ring

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