Man jailed as slain DA investigation continues

Published April 14, 2013

Associated Press

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  This photo provided by the Kaufman County Sheriff's Office shows Eric Williams. Williams was admitted to the Kaufman County Jail, in Kaufman, Texas, early Saturday, April 13, 2013, and charged with making a "terroristic threat." Federal and local authorities searched Williams' home Friday as part of an investigation into the deaths of District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife, Cynthia. (AP Photo/Kaufman County Sheriff's Office)The Associated Press

KAUFMAN, Texas –  Authorities investigating the deaths of a North Texas district attorney and his wife appear to have narrowed their focus on a former justice of the peace prosecuted last year by the official for theft.

One day after 46-year-old Eric Lyle Williams was arrested on a charge of making a terroristic threat, authorities would not publicly name a suspect or confirm the results of a search of his home in Kaufman County, east of Dallas.

No suspects have been named in the deaths of Mike McLelland and his wife, Cynthia, who were found slain in their home March 30.

That came two months after one of McLelland's prosecutors, Mark Hasse, was gunned down near the Kaufman courthouse.

Williams was convicted of stealing three computer monitors. Both prosecutors criticized Williams' character.

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Oil prices down as Cyprus uncertainty continues

Published March 21, 2013

Associated Press

BANGKOK –  The price of oil fell Thursday as traders awaited a solution to a financial crisis in Cyprus that has raised fears of a destabilizing exit of the country from the euro.

Benchmark oil for May delivery was down 23 cents to $93.27 per barrel at midday Bangkok time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract for April delivery gained 80 cents to settle at $92.96 a barrel on Wednesday.

European jitters have escalated since the government in Cyprus rejected a bailout plan on Tuesday that would have taxed bank deposits. The Mediterranean nation needs to come up with 5.8 billion euros ($7.5 billion) on its own in order to secure 10 billion euros in rescue loans from international creditors.

Without a bailout deal, Cyprus' banks would collapse, devastating the country's economy and potentially forcing it to exit the euro currency.

"It's hard to think that the island tourist country of Cyprus could really drag the Bulls down," said Carl Larry, president of Oil Outlooks and Opinions in a commentary. "It's the farthest from any kind of sustainable industry outside of tourism and they depend solely on interest earned from their banking system."

Brent crude, used to price many kinds of oil imported by U.S. refineries, fell 8 cents to $108.64 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London.

The American Petroleum Institute said crude oil stocks fell by about 400,000 barrels to 376.7 million barrels for the week ending March 15. On Wednesday, the Energy Department said the nation's crude oil supplies declined last week by 1.3 million barrels, or 0.3 percent, to 382.7 million barrels, which is 10.5 percent above year-ago levels. Analysts were expecting supplies to increase.

In other energy futures trading on the Nymex:

— Wholesale gasoline fell 0.7 cent to $3.095 a gallon.

— Heating oil rose 0.1 cent to $2.997 a gallon.

— Natural gas fell 1.5 cents to $3.945 per 1,000 cubic feet.

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'13 Season Preview: Rebuilding process continues in New England

Foxborough, MA –  Jay Heaps' first season in charge in New England didn't exactly go as planned.

The club entered 2012 with elevated expectations after Heaps was hired to replace longtime manager Steve Nichol, but they hovered around the .500 mark for most of the season before things went south in the final two months of the campaign.

Heaps' squad went winless in five of its last six league matches and finished with 17 losses. But with last season behind them, 2013 is all about continuing to rebuild what has been a historically successful franchise.

The Revolution pulled off a big splash at the SuperDraft by working a deal with Toronto FC to acquire the first overall selection, which they used on Louisville defender Andrew Farrell.

Farrell, 20, was a star during his three-year career at Louisville. He started 44 games over the three seasons and earned the Big East Defensive Player of the Year honor in 2012.

He likely won't garner a spot in the starting 11 early in the season, but Farrell definitely has a chance to be a first-team regular once he adjusts to life in MLS.

Farrell offers the Revs some much-needed versatility along the backline.

"I think that for this organization to be successful, I can bring some speed on the outside if I play outside back," Farrell said. "I can bring depth within the center back and outside back spots. Sometimes things don't work out but this is a new season and I think everybody starts new."

Along with Farrell, New England certainly has some serviceable bodies in defense with the likes of veteran Kevin Alston, A. J. Soares and Stephen McCarthy.

Soares is probably the most reliable piece in defense. The 24-year-old played 30 of 34 games last season and was a rock in central defense. He also added a pair of goals on the offensive end.

Kelyn Rowe returns to anchor a midfield that was largely ineffective last season. Rowe was drafted third overall by New England in 2012 and showed flashes of elite playmaking ability as an attacking midfielder.

Rowe started 21 matches in his rookie campaign and scored three goals to go with five assists. The UCLA product will be leaned on by Heaps this season to direct traffic and be the creative force in the middle of the park.

In addition to Rowe, another key midfield piece is Andy Dorman. Dorman began his MLS career with the Revs in 2004 and was a teammate of Heaps before moving to Europe to play with St. Mirren of the Scottish Premier League and Crystal Palace of the English Championship. Dorman returned to the Revs when his Crystal Palace contract expired this past summer.

Dorman should combine nicely with Rowe in the middle of the field.

Honduras international Jerry Bengston and Frenchman Saer Sene will be counted on to drive the offense in 2013 for New England, while veteran attacker Chad Barrett, who was signed this month, will provide some leadership.

Bengston signed with the club on a free transfer in July 2012 and made 13 appearances. He scored just twice last campaign while adjusting to life in MLS, but Heaps will be counting on the man who single-handedly broke U.S. hearts on Feb. 6 in a 2-1 World Cup qualifier win to consistently put the ball in the back of the net.

Sene played 25 games last season and had a productive campaign, scoring 11 times. The Paris native has a nose for goal, and can score from outside the box should the opportunity present itself.

All in all, New England has some talented pieces, but may need a season or two to develop before consistency becomes commonplace.

2012 IN REVIEW: Optimism was high with the appointment of Heaps, but the club struggled, finishing in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with 35 points and missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

ACQUISITIONS: Chad Barrett (F), Andrew Farrell (D), Andy Dorman (M), Kalifa Cisse (M).

LOSSES: Benny Feilhaber (M), Blake Brettschneider (F), Blair Gavin (M).

OUTLOOK: The rebuilding process is in full effect at Gillette Stadium. With Soares and Farrell in the back, Rowe and Dorman in the midfield and Bengston and Sene up front, New England certainly has some solid players in the team, but Heaps will need to figure out a way for them to play as a cohesive unit before making the playoffs is a real possibility. Expect the Revs to have moments of brilliance throughout the year, but a fourth consecutive season without the postseason is likely.

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