Nation digest 07/10/02

'Son of Sam' killer denied parole on first try

ALBANY, N.Y. -- David Berkowitz, the "Son of Sam" killer who terrorized New York City during the sweltering summer of 1977, was denied his first chance at parole on Tuesday after 25 years behind bars.

The two-member parole board noted Berkowitz, 49, recently wrote to Gov. George Pataki saying he deserved to be in prison for life.

He was sentenced to six consecutive 25-years-to-life terms for shooting six people to death and wounding seven in a series of attacks he claimed were ordered by a neighbor's dog. Berkowitz will be eligible for another parole hearing in two years.

Nevada to vote on legalizing marijuana

CARSON CITY, Nev. -- Voters in Nevada, which up until last year had the nation's strictest marijuana law, will decide in November whether to let adults legally possess small amounts of pot.

State officials said Tuesday that a petition drive to put the measure on the ballot had narrowly succeeded with about 75,000 valid signatures.

Under the proposal, marijuana would be sold in state-licensed shops and taxed like cigarettes and other tobacco products. A distribution system would also be set up to provide low-cost pot for medical uses.

To become law, the change needs voter approval this year and in 2004.

Court denies appeal on releasing detainee names

NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected an ACLU request to force the government to release the names of Muslims and Arabs being held in jail as part of the terrorism investigation.

The court denied the request without comment.

The American Civil Liberties Union said it may go to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Since the Sept. 11 attacks, the federal government has detained more than 1,100 people. According to the most recent Justice Department figures, 104 post-Sept. 11 detainees remain in custody, most of them in New Jersey jails.

-- From wire reports