Nation digest 01/25/04

Peterson trial postponed for at least a week

MODESTO, Calif. -- The Scott Peterson double-murder trial has been postponed for at least a week as the case moves to the San Francisco Bay area and court officials pick a judge. On Friday, Judge Al Girolami set a Feb. 2 hearing in San Mateo County Superior Court, where he ordered the case moved after ruling that it would be difficult to find unbiased jurors in Laci Peterson's hometown. The delay came a day after prosecutors exercised their option to remove a retired judge appointed to oversee the trial, which was to begin Monday. Peterson, 31, faces two counts of murder for allegedly killing his pregnant wife in their home and dumping her body in San Francisco Bay.

Stewart jury expected to be in place Monday

NEW YORK -- Opening statements in the Martha Stewart stock-trading trial could begin as early as next week, attorneys said after a federal judge completed a fourth day of interviews with potential jurors on Friday. The judge interviewed jurors privately, hoping to eliminate those who bring a clear bias to the case. It was unclear how many were qualified Friday, but the total was expected to exceed the 50 that the judge has said she wanted before moving to the final selection. The 12-person jury should be in place Monday. Stewart, 62, is accused of working with her ex-stockbroker to cook up a phony explanation for why she sold ImClone Systems stock just before it plummeted on a negative regulatory report.

Last laugh for 'Friends' as production ends

LOS ANGELES -- They won't be there for us anymore. The enduring comedy "Friends," with the theme song that promises "I'll be there for you," wrapped its final episode Friday night in front of an invitation-only audience on a set veiled in secrecy, all part of a plan to avoid spoiling the surprise ending for fans. The taping of the hour-long finale, scheduled to air in May, concluded shortly before midnight with an extended curtain call for the cast members, said a show representative who declined to be quoted by name.

Foster dad sentenced for binding children

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. -- A man who took photos of two foster children wrapped in duct tape in their cribs was sentenced to 12 to 30 months in prison. In imposing the sentence on Neil Broe, Judge Alan Rubenstein said the 30 pictures depicted "a horrifying image ... one that will stay with me for a long time." Authorities alleged Broe, 42, and Colleen Broe, 34, bound the children to keep them under control. Colleen Broe was acquitted of child abuse charges in November and accused her estranged husband of staging the photos because the couple was in the midst of a divorce. Neil Broe pleaded guilty to child endangerment.

-- From wire reports