Accused killer pleads not guilty

Framingham, Mass.

Neil Entwistle, 27, pleaded not guilty Thursday to murder charges and was jailed without bail in the killings of his wife and baby daughter, who were found shot to death in bed at the couple's suburban Boston home.

He is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his wife, Rachel, 27, and their daughter, Lillian, 9 months, killed in their home in Hopkinton on Jan. 20. Entwistle flew to his native England a day after the shootings, was arrested there last week and was flown back to the United States on Wednesday.

His attorney, Elliot Weinstein, lashed out at news coverage of the case after the hearing: "I don't know that Mr. Entwistle will ever be able to get a fair trial on these charges."

NASA to draft anti-bias rules

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin said Thursday he has convened a team of scientists and public-information officials to draft new guidelines to ensure that news of agency research will not be tailored or curtailed to reflect political or ideological bias.

In response to accusations that NASA public-relations officials had manipulated news releases or reports involving climate change and cosmology, Griffin said, "It is not appropriate for scientists to be required to adjust, spin or alter their scientific work to fit any particular political agenda."

Griffin spoke to reporters after appearing before the House Science Committee to present NASA's proposed $16.8 billion budget and defend reductions in projected spending for space science and cuts in aeronautics programs to free money for the space shuttle, the international space station and development of a new spacecraft.

Washington

Bill would outlaw Internet gambling

More than 100 lawmakers in the House of Representatives introduced a bipartisan bill Thursday to outlaw the $12 billion Internet gambling industry.

The bill would update an existing ban against interstate gambling over telephone lines to also outlaw use of the Internet and related technology. A total of 115 House lawmakers co-sponsored the bill.

The legislation would specifically prohibit a gambling business from accepting credit cards, checks, wire and Internet transfers in illegal gambling transactions. It also would set a maximum prison sentence of five years for violations.

Similar legislation was introduced previously, but the bill was defeated in 2000 due in part to efforts by Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Also

U.S. Rep. Joel Hefley, 70, R-Colo., said Thursday he will not seek re-election this fall after 20 years on Capitol Hill.

Compiled from The Associated Press, Reuters and The Washington Post