Nation briefs 08/29/02

Potential suspect in Smart case hospitalized

SALT LAKE CITY -- A handyman who police say is a potential suspect in the disappearance of Elizabeth Smart underwent four hours of surgery early Wednesday after collapsing in his prison cell, officials said.

Richard Ricci, 48, was in critical condition, officials said. He was rushed to University Hospital after he complained of breathing problems and then passed out Tuesday night. Russo said Ricci suffered an aneurysm or a stroke.

Ricci is jailed on theft charges unrelated to the 14-year-old girl's disappearance, though the police chief has called him a potential suspect. Authorities say Elizabeth was kidnapped by an armed man on June 5 from her bedroom. Ricci has denied involvement in Elizabeth's disappearance.

Cockpit-door deadline concerns officials

WASHINGTON -- Federal regulators are concerned airlines and aircraft manufacturers won't meet the April deadline to install new bulletproof cockpit doors in all commercial aircraft.

A spokesman for large airlines said the companies believe they can do the work in time.

"It will be met," Air Transport Association spokesman Michael Wascom said Wednesday of the April deadline after a meeting in which federal regulators met with airlines, manufacturers and trade groups to find out how much progress they've made.

The process of installing the new doors is halfway over, as federal officials in November gave the industry 18 months to meet the April 9, 2003 deadline. The FAA doesn't know how many planes have the new doors, and have asked the industry to supply that information.

Tests negative on powder sent to Gore's office

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Preliminary tests of a suspicious powder sent to Al Gore's Nashville office have come back negative for anthrax, officials said Wednesday.

The office will likely remain closed until early next week while additional tests are carried out, officials said.

The white powder spilled from an envelope opened Tuesday while two employees were in the office, which opened as Gore's Tennessee base of operations in July 2001. The room was quickly quarantined by a hazardous-materials team. Gore was out of state on vacation at the time.

The envelope was postmarked from Tennessee.

Penalty phase begins in van Dam trial

SAN DIEGO -- The parents of 7-year-old Danielle van Dam, who was taken from her bedroom and killed by a neighbor, took the stand at the man's sentencing hearing Wednesday to talk about their little girl.

Danielle loved school and playing the piano and talked about becoming a teacher or a veterinarian, Damon van Dam told the jury in a subdued voice.

His daughter's abduction on Feb. 2 left the family devastated and her two brothers frightened and more introverted, he said.

The jury that last week convicted David Westerfield, 50, of kidnapping and murdering Danielle began hearing the penalty phase of his trial Wednesday to determine whether he deserves the death penalty. He faces either death by lethal injection or life in prison without possibility of parole.

-- From wire reports