Originally published October 11, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified October 11, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Comments (0)
E-mail article
Print view
Homeless man is set on fire, dies
A homeless man who was a familiar face to residents of Koreatown died after being doused with gasoline and set on fire on a street where...
Los Angeles
A homeless man who was a familiar face to residents of Koreatown died after being doused with gasoline and set on fire on a street where he had lived for many years, police and local merchants said Friday.
Police were called Thursday evening and found the man, who was pronounced dead at a hospital.
A man in his 20s was seen throwing gasoline on the man, chasing him, throwing more on him and running from the scene, said Deputy Chief Sergio Diaz.
The victim remained unidentified, Diaz said. Investigators canvassed the neighborhood Friday looking for evidence, witnesses and information about the victim.
The homeless man had been in the area for at least 20 years but never bothered anyone or begged for money, said Young Kim, who owns a nearby dry clearer. People gave him food, clothes and spare change, Kim said.
Los Angeles
NASA sticks with new Mars rover
NASA said Friday it will press ahead with plans to launch a supersized rover to Mars next year despite spiraling costs and schedule pressures.
The decision to maintain the status quo — for now — came after the space agency's top managers met to mull over the progress of the Mars Science Laboratory, a souped-up, nuclear-powered rover.
Concerns have been raised about how to pay for the project's escalating costs and whether engineers can ready the rover in time for a safe launch next fall. NASA has poured $1.5 billion into the project, but the final price tag is expected to be close to $2 billion.
The Mars Science Lab is designed to roam the Martian plains and study rocks to determine whether the environment could support microbial life.
![]()
Las Vegas
O.J.'s lawyers seeking new trial
O.J. Simpson's lawyers cited judicial errors and insufficient evidence Friday in seeking a new trial for the former football star, who was convicted of kidnapping and robbing two sports-memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in a casino hotel room.
"Simpson should be granted a new trial," attorney Gabriel Grasso wrote in a motion faulting Clark County District Judge Jackie Glass' decisions during jury selection, her limits on cross-examination of witnesses during trial and her instructions to jurors before deliberations.
In a separate filing, a lawyer for co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart said Stewart suffered from being tried with Simpson, who was acquitted more than a decade ago of killing his ex-wife and her friend.
Simpson, 61, and Stewart, 54, are due for sentencing Dec. 5. The jury convicted them of all 12 charges, including kidnapping, armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, in the hotel room confrontation more than a year ago. Both men remain jailed in Las Vegas.
Also
Crash toll rises: The death toll has risen to nine in the crash of a charter bus that was on its way to a casino in Northern California. UC Davis Medical Center spokeswoman Phyllis Brown says E. Vang Saelee died Friday at the Sacramento hospital.
Recall: Russell Stover Candies is recalling one lot code of its 2-7/8-ounce size of Private Reserve Assorted Chocolates because the candy might contain undeclared hazelnuts. The recalled product has the lot code "N0349." For more information, consumers can call 866-410-9490.
Seattle Times news services
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
More Nation & World headlines...
E-mail article
Print view Share:
Digg
Newsvine
UPDATE - 02:06 AM
Sources: Obama near decision on Afghanistan troops
UPDATE - 12:34 AM
Bill Clinton meets with Senate Dems on health care
UPDATE - 02:09 AM
FBI reassessing past look at Fort Hood suspect
UPDATE - 12:37 AM
D.C. sniper mastermind set to be executed Tuesday
UPDATE - 12:04 AM
Case against Ohio bodies suspect expands overseas

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Bill Clinton meets with Senate Dems on health care
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- Washington coordinator Nick Holt says his Huskies defense is improving
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
253 - House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate
246 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
167 - Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
142 - Alleged shooter tied to mosque of 9/11 hijackers
135 - Obama puts heat on Senate to speed health bill
123 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
118 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
97 - Cutaia says replay handled properly on Austin TD
69 - Josh Smith picks UCLA
68
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- All You Can Eat | Fruit flies: thrill to the kill
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Taste | Ruth Reichl still reigns as queen of America's culinary scene
- Book review | Ayn Rand: goddess of the market, gateway to the American right





