Nation briefs 8/8/03

Marine gets 20 years for parachute tampering

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- A Marine who admitted cutting parachute lines before a training jump was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison by a military judge who told him he can still become a productive citizen.

Lance Cpl. Antoine D. Boykins admitted cutting suspension lines on 13 of the 22 parachutes that were to be used in the exercise Sept. 21. He said he knew someone could be killed or injured because reserve chutes fail nearly half the time they're used.

Three Marines were injured in the jump's first wave, and the exercise was canceled.

The judge, Col. Alvin Keller, deliberated about five hours before sentencing Boykins. He also cut Boykins' rank to private and said he would be dishonorably discharged. The sentence must be formally approved by the commander of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force.

Poll: Democrats upset with path of party

Six in 10 Democrats are dissatisfied with the party's performance on core issues such as helping the poor and aiding the average worker, according to a poll.

Just 38 percent of Democrats said their party is doing an excellent or good job in protecting the interests of minorities, aiding the needy and representing working Americans, down from 47 percent in May 2001, according to the poll by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press released Thursday.

This Democratic frustration is even more pronounced among liberals, with only 31 percent saying the party is doing an excellent or good job on traditional issues.

"Democratic voters don't feel the party leaders are talking about the things that the party stands for," said Andrew Kohut, director of the Pew Research Center.

Government updates hurricane predictions

MIAMI -- The current hurricane season is likely to be busier than originally thought, with more of a danger to the United States and Caribbean, government forecasters said Thursday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration now expects seven to nine hurricanes, including three to four major storms packing winds of at least 111 mph.

An above-average two hurricanes and two tropical storms have formed so far as the season approaches its peak, from mid-August through October. The full season began June 1 and ends Nov. 30.

The administration updated its forecast from May, which expected six to nine hurricanes, of which two to four would become major.

The updated forecast predicts 12 to 15 tropical storms, above previous expectations of 11 to 15 tropical storms. The historical average is 10 tropical storms and six hurricanes.

No grand jury testimony in Ramsey maid's book

DENVER -- A former housekeeper for JonBenet Ramsey's parents still plans to publish a book about the 6-year-old's slaying -- but with a blank chapter where her grand jury testimony would have appeared, her attorney said Thursday.

The testimony is sealed in case a trial is ever pursued.

Hoffman-Pugh's lawyer said the planned book, "The Death of an Innocent," would contain a blank, 32-page chapter in place of the testimony.

Buyers would receive postcards to send their names and addresses to the publisher to receive copies of the chapter if it is ever published, attorney Darnay Hoffman, said.

-- From wire reports