Nation briefs 7/27/05

Smart's alleged kidnapper found incompetent for trial

SALT LAKE CITY -- The man charged in the kidnapping of Utah teenager Elizabeth Smart was declared mentally incompetent to stand trial Tuesday. The decision will send Brian David Mitchell to a state hospital until he is deemed capable of standing trial. Mitchell, 51, is accused of kidnapping Elizabeth from her bedroom in 2002, sexually assaulting her and keeping her as his second wife. He also is charged in the attempted abduction of Elizabeth's cousin.

Man gets 10 years on conviction of hiring a killer

BOSTON -- A retired Marine who authorities said offered his wife's $20,000 engagement ring to a man in exchange for killing her was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison. Harold Stonier, 45, of Concord, was convicted in March of trying to hire Frank "Bruno" Moniz to kill his wife, Jamie, in April 2003, offering him $50,000 in cash and the 3-carat diamond ring.

House passes legislation to update Postal Service

WASHINGTON -- A bill designed to make the Postal Service more competitive -- and which might help head off the rate increase planned for next year -- was passed overwhelmingly by the House Tuesday night. The first major overhaul of postal operations in more than three decades keeps the requirement for the agency to provide service six days a week to every address, but gives the post office more flexibility in some operations and in rate setting.

-- From wire reports