New trial to start March 9 in Jewish Federation shooting

Seattle

A new trial date of March 9 has been set for accused Jewish Federation shooter Naveed Haq.

The case, in which a mistrial was declared in June after the jury deadlocked, was supposed to go to trial a second time in September. But attorneys asked for more time to review transcripts and to explore what could become new key evidence: 600 phone calls Haq has made from the King County Jail since his arrest.

A recent ruling by the state Supreme Court found that inmates' phone calls are not private, can be recorded and used as evidence in court.

Prosecutors said at a hearing last month that Haq made statements in the phone calls that could bolster their claims that he intentionally planned and carried out the shootings. Haq's attorneys also said a cursory review of the recordings has yielded information that could help the defense.

At a hearing Wednesday, King County Superior Court Judge Paris Kallas said the new date should be considered very certain, and scheduled jury selection to begin Jan. 30.

Haq, 32, is accused of fatally shooting one woman and wounding five others when he burst into the offices of the Jewish Federation on July 28, 2006. Haq has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

Seattle

Monorail won't be back in service until late Friday

The Seattle Monorail is expected to remain out of service until late Friday, to allow electrical contractors to diagnose an electrical problem with the red train, the only one running this summer.

The red train has been out of service since Monday morning. "It can still operate but it's out of service as a safety precaution," said Seattle Center spokeswoman Deborah Daoust. "The electrical system, when tested, wasn't working at 100 percent."

The blue train has been out of service all summer for a major tuneup.

Seattle

Suspect in aid-car theft arrested after vehicle is abandoned

A man suspected of stealing a Seattle Fire Department aid car parked in the Central Area was arrested Wednesday after the vehicle was abandoned a few minutes later in the International District.

Police said the aid car was stolen from the 500 block of 16th Avenue just before 5 p.m., and was found abandoned six minutes later in the 500 block of South King Street.

Police spokesman Jeff Kappel said the suspect had fled the vehicle but was taken into custody shortly afterward.

Bonney Lake, Pierce Co.

Pacific police chief arrested; drunken driving alleged

Police Chief John Calkins of the town of Pacific has been arrested for investigation of drunken driving.

Calkins was pulled over Tuesday night after a driver called to report a vehicle westbound on Highway 410 veering in and out of its lane.

Bonney Lake police spokesman Thomas Longtine says the driver identified himself to the officers who stopped him as the Pacific police chief. He was pulled over in nearby Sumner.

Citing a police report on the incident, KING-TV news said Calkins said he and his wife had been drinking at a bar, and grew irate during his arrest, allegedly telling the officer, "I know your chief" and "I know who you are."

After being arrested, Calkins was taken to the Bonney Lake Police Department, where he was cited and released.

Calkins will make his first court appearance next Wednesday.

Pacific Mayor Richard Hildreth told KING-TV Calkins will be on paid leave while the case is investigated. Pacific straddles the line between King and Pierce counties south of Auburn.

Times staff and news services