Freed death row inmate sues prosecution, police

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Former death row inmate Joseph Amrine filed a wrongful conviction suit Thursday against prosecutors and law enforcement employees, accusing them of framing him for the murder of a fellow prison inmate. Amrine, 48, of Kansas City, is seeking compensation that is "just and fair" for the 17 years he spent on death row before he was freed last year. When Amrine was sentenced to death in 1986, he had between 18 months and seven years left to serve on a 15-year sentence for robbery, burglary and forgery.

State will defend school funding formula

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A judge granted the state's request Thursday to delay a school funding lawsuit for several months -- but only if the state concedes the current system is unconstitutional. A spokesman for Attorney General Jay Nixon said the office would not agree to that condition, so the case will proceed. "We intend to defend this formula," spokesman Scott Holste said. More than 250 school districts sued the state in January, claiming its method of funding public schools is unfair and inadequate.

-- From staff, wire reports