Henry’s dad: Cop may have put self in harm’s way

Henry’s dad: Cop may have put self in harm’s way

The father of a fatally wounded Pace University football player says he thinks a lawyer’s description of the shooting favors his son and not the lawyer’s client, the police officer involved in the shooting.

Danroy Henry of Easton, Mass., father of Danroy “D.J.” Henry Jr., said last week that the Pleasantville, N.Y. officer Aaron Hess may have put himself in harm’s way by stepping in front of his son’s car.

Henry said the attorney’s comments to The Journal News of White Plains, N.Y., suggest Hess got in the car’s pathway rather than his son aiming toward Hess.

But attorney John Grant said last week that Hess fired after Henry was told to stop.

Police say Henry hit two officers outside a Thornwood, N.Y., bar Oct. 17. Officers fired at the car, killing the 20-year-old.

NH commission opts to retain the death penalty

A narrowly split New Hampshire commission says the state should keep capital punishment on the books despite the high cost of seeking a death sentence.

The Death Penalty Commission voted 12-10 Monday to retain the death penalty, with proponents saying it is vital to protect police officers and prison guards.

The last execution in New Hampshire took place in 1939. The state has one inmate on death row, Michael Addison, who was convicted of the 2006 killing of a Manchester police officer. He’s appealing.

The report, released last week, says that so far the state has spent about $3.5 million on the Addison case.

An additional $2.3 million was spent to seek a death sentence in 2008 against contract killer John Brooks, but the jury opted for a life sentence.

Two Massachusetts community colleges get $2 million federal grants

Two Massachusetts community colleges have each been awarded $2 million grants aimed at helping low-income students.

Mass Bay Community College and Roxbury Community College were awarded five-year, U.S. Department of Education grants given to 48 colleges nationally.

The funds will go toward customizing classroom instruction at schools that help low-income students and equipping classrooms with the new technology needed to support teaching and learning.

The grants also pay for faculty training.

Both schools said the grants were needed at a time when resources are limited.

Patrick: Brown must support unemployment extension

Gov. Deval Patrick says Sen. Scott Brown needs to see the underprivileged people in Massachusetts as he weighs a vote on extended unemployment benefits.

Congress is weighing an extension, which Brown supports, but he wants it paid for without expanding the deficit. In a video press release last week, Brown said he’s introduced a “bipartisan compromise” to use unspent federal funds determined by the Office of Management and Budget.

The Democratic governor told WTKK-AM last week that it was “outrageous” for Brown and his fellow Republicans to hold up an array of legislation while they push for an extension of Bush-era tax cuts — which would be paid with deficit spending.

The Democratic governor says the benefits are needed to help people survive, while the tax cuts will benefit the already-wealthy.

Patrick says the vote is a “question of national character.”

Bernard out, Cowan in amid Patrick staff shuffle

Gov. Deval Patrick is tapping his legal counsel to serve as his chief of staff amid a second-term staff shakeup.

William “Mo” Cowan will replace Arthur Bernard in overseeing the daily operation of the governor’s office. Bernard took over the post a year ago from Doug Rubin, the governor’s chief political adviser.

The governor’s recent campaign manager, Sydney Asbury, will also become deputy chief of staff, and Mark Reilly will move up from deputy counsel to replace Cowan as the governor’s chief legal counsel.

In a statement last week, Patrick also announced the departure of Cabinet secretary Liz Morningstar and Communications Director Kyle Sullivan.

The governor had asked all his Cabinet secretaries and senior staffers for their resignations as he assessed who had the energy and commitment for a second term.

Associated Press