Suspect to take deal in body-parts case

New York

An oral surgeon-turned-mortician has agreed to plead guilty to charges that he orchestrated a grisly plot to plunder corpses and sell body parts for transplants, his lawyer said Tuesday.

Prosecutors said Michael Mastromarino, 44, made millions by carving up hundreds of corpses at a Brooklyn funeral home and selling the parts for dental implants, hip replacements and other procedures nationwide.

Mastromarino "sees this as his best opportunity to accept responsibility and move on," said his attorney, Mario Gallucci. As part of his deal, Mastromarino will cooperate with an inquiry by federal and state investigators into possible misconduct by tissue processors, Gallucci said.

Prosecutors said the cadavers were looted without permission or proper screening for diseases and that an untold number of patients were unknowingly exposed to infection. Among the plundered bodies was that of "Masterpiece Theatre" host Alistair Cooke, who died in 2004.

Jacksonville, N.C.

Marines: Woman didn't fear suspect

A 20-year-old pregnant Marine who disappeared in December told victims' advocates at Camp Lejeune that she didn't feel unsafe in the presence of the colleague being sought in her death, Marine Corps officials said Tuesday.

Marine Cpl. Cesar Armando Laurean, 21, never violated the military protective order directing him to stay away from Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach and denied having sexual contact with her, said Col. Gary Sokoloski, the judge advocate general officer for the II Marine Expeditionary Force.

Authorities confirmed Tuesday that remains found in Laurean's backyard were those of Lauterbach and her child. Dr. Charles Garrett, the Onslow County medical examiner, said Lauterbach died of "traumatic head injury due to blunt-force trauma."

Marine officials said Tuesday that Lauterbach said in November that she no longer believed Laurean was the father.

Denver

Colorado man sues over "popcorn lung"

A Denver-area man believed to be the only consumer to develop "popcorn lung" from regular servings of microwave popcorn filed a lawsuit Tuesday claiming injury from the artificial-butter flavoring that previously sickened only popcorn-factory workers.

Wayne Watson's attorney, Kenneth McClain, said the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court names Kroger and two of its divisions: King Soopers' parent company, Dillon Companies, and food distributor Inter-American Products.

Watson's case of "popcorn lung" and his two-bag-a-day diet gained national attention last year when doctors diagnosed him with the rare lung condition linked to the flavoring chemical diacetyl.

Also

House resignation: U.S. Rep. Richard Baker, R-La., will leave Congress next month to become president of the Managed Funds Association, the main lobbying group for the $1.8 trillion hedge-fund industry. The decision makes Baker, in his 11th term, one of at least 20 House Republicans who are resigning from Congress or retiring when their term ends. Five Democrats have announced plans to leave the House.

Crash toll mounts: A fifth person has died of injuries suffered in a fiery crash involving more than 40 cars on a Florida interstate last week, officials said Tuesday.

Red Cross cuts: Facing a $200 million operating deficit, the American Red Cross is preparing to cut up to one-third of its headquarters staff, up to 1,000 employees, and pare regional management, said Suzy C. DeFrancis, the Red Cross' chief public affairs officer.

Seattle Times news services