Nation briefs 12/5/03

Suspect in disappearance asks to remain in custody

GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., 50, charged with kidnapping in the disappearance of University of North Dakota student Dru Sjodin, 22, who remains missing, said through his attorney Thursday that he wanted to remain in custody for his own safety. A three-time convicted rapist, he spoke briefly in response to the judge's questions and only then to acknowledge that he understood the charges against him. The judge set bail at $5 million. His preliminary hearing was set for Feb. 4, and arraignment was scheduled for Feb. 6.

Secret Service makes arrests in bar code scam

ATLANTA -- David Oliver, 34, of Hampton, Ga., his wife, Mindy Oliver, 38, and Marcus Abercombie, 33, of Duluth, Ga., were arrested by Secret Service agents Thursday for allegedly taking bar codes from cheaper items and affixing them to expensive rugs at Home Depot and Lowe's stores in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina. They would then go through the checkout lines and leave with rugs worth hundreds of dollars for $29 each, authorities said, returning the rugs at other Home Depot and Lowe's stores for a refund of the retail price. At least a half-dozen other people are being investigated in connection with the scheme that netted $150,000.

Boston archbishop's residence up for sale

BOSTON -- The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston has put the archbishop's mansion -- one of the symbols of its prosperity -- on the market to help pay for an $85 million settlement with victims of clergy sex abuse, a church official said. The mansion and land was recently assessed at nearly $14 million, but real estate experts say the land could fetch up to $20 million. The sale of the residence helps fulfill new Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley's promise that no collection plate money will be used to pay for the record settlement.

Judge orders gag on sniper trial proceedings

CHESAPEAKE, Va. -- Circuit Judge Jane Marum Roush started Thursday's court session in Lee Boyd Malvo's murder trial with a stern order to attorneys in the case to stop talking to the news media after a letter written by Malvo appeared in The Washington Post. Both sides denied leaking the document before the judge entered a gag order on future proceedings. When the trial resumed, a psychologist testified that Malvo produced an "abnormal neurophysical examination" but would not label him as psychotic.

Bush signs protections against identity theft

WASHINGTON -- President Bush on Thursday signed legislation giving consumers new protections against identity theft, including free credit reports and a national fraud-alert system to minimize damage once a theft has occurred. The measure also requires that receipts omit the last digits of credit cards. The legislation renewed the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which set a national credit reporting standard to make it easier for people to get credit cards, loans and mortgages. Opponents of the bill say it pre-empts tougher state privacy laws that prevent businesses from sharing their customers' financial information with other companies.

-- From wire reports