OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska doctor treating an American who became infected with Ebola while working in Liberia says the man’s condition is improving.

The patient, Dr. Rick Sacra of Massachusetts, arrived at the Nebraska Medical Center on Friday for treatment in the hospital’s specialized 10-bed isolation unit.

Dr. Phil Smith said in a written statement Tuesday that doctors at the Omaha hospital are pleased with Sacra’s progress, adding that Sacra is becoming more alert and interactive.

Smith said doctors “continue to be encouraged by what we’re seeing up to this point.”

The 51-year-old Sacra was the third American aid worker with the Ebola virus to be flown to the U.S. for treatment. A fourth worker, whose identity has not yet been revealed, arrived Tuesday morning at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.

 

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A judge gave probation rather than a prison sentence Tuesday to a dying Iowa man who was convicted of growing marijuana that he said he used to treat his terminal cancer.

The sentence was a break for 48-year-old Benton Mackenzie, who could have faced three or more years in prison.

Mackenzie was convicted on drug charges stemming from a 2013 raid at his parents’ Long Grove, Iowa, home, where he lived. Sheriff’s deputies found 71 marijuana plant and growing equipment.

Mackenzie said he grew the plants to obtain cannabis oil that he used to treat his angiosarcoma.

The prosecution outraged advocates of medical marijuana.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Two people have died after being beaten in their Kansas City home during an attack in which three others were fatally shot.

Kansas City police say Ann and George Taylor, both in their 80s, died Tuesday after spending a week on life support.

Prosecutors allege that Brandon Howell attacked the couple in the basement of their home on Sept. 2, then fatally shot three neighbors before fleeing in the Taylors’ SUV.

He’s charged with several felonies, including three counts of first-degree murder for the shooting deaths of 88-year-old Alice Hurst, her son, 63-year-old Darrel Hurst, and 69-year-old Susan Choucroun.

Howell, a convicted felon with a history of violence, was arrested shortly after the killings. Police found him walking along Interstate 29 with a loaded shotgun in his pants.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police in Omaha are seeking information and the missing car of a man who died after being found bleeding on a north Omaha street.

Police say officers were called to the area late Friday night, were they found 30-year-old Markquis (mar-KEES) Walker suffering from a severe head injury. Police say Walker was incoherent and unable to tell officers what led to his injuries.

Walker died Monday at an Omaha hospital.

Police say they learned after he was found injured that Walker’s vehicle — a yellow Chevrolet Camaro — was missing.

Police are asking anyone with information about Walker’s injuries or his missing car to call Crime Stoppers at 402-444-7867.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — An Italian man trying to fly from Europe to South America has taken a detour to Nebraska to face charges of writing bad checks.

Luigi Lionetti was charged with one felony count of theft-deception over $1,500 in 1998. He was released from Lancaster County jail after posting a $3,000 bond. A judge issued a bench warrant for Lionetti’s arrest after he didn’t show up to court.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents recently alerted Lancaster County authorities that now 67-year-old Lionetti had tried to pass through Miami while en route to South America.

Deputies with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office flew to retrieve Lionetti on Friday and return him to Lincoln.

Online court records don’t list an attorney for Lionetti.

HASTINGS, Neb. (AP) — A jury has been chosen to hear testimony about the slaying of a 68-year-old Webster County woman.

The jury was selected on Monday in Adams County District Court in Hastings, where the trial of 24-year-old Andrew Casterline was moved at the request of his attorneys. Opening statements are scheduled for Tuesday.

Casterline is charged with first-degree murder and two related crimes. Prosecutors say he helped his mother stab to death Virginia Barone in October at her home in Guide Rock. Prosecutors say the two fled to Iowa in a stolen vehicle.

His mother, Shelley Casterline, has already pleaded guilty to second-degree murder after making a deal with prosecutors for a lesser charge. She’s scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 22.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A federal appeals court has refused to halt the execution of a Missouri inmate, hours before he is scheduled to be put to death.

A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday denied a stay of execution for Earl Ringo Jr., who faces lethal injection at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday for killing two people while robbing a Columbia restaurant in 1998.

It would be the eighth execution in Missouri this year and the 10th since November.

The appeal questioned Missouri’s use of the sedative midazolam prior to executions, claiming it could dull the inmate’s senses, leaving him potentially unable to express any pain.

Attorney Richard Sindel says he is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court. A clemency petition is also before Gov. Jay Nixon.

A Hastings woman whose 9-year-old son is charged with fatally shooting his 4-year-old brother has pleaded no contest to a child abuse charge.

Court records say 30-year-old Amanda Pecor was convicted on Monday of felony negligent child abuse resulting in injury. Prosecutors had lowered the charge from felony negligent child abuse resulting in death. Her sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 28.

Her 31-year-old boyfriend, Matthew Edwards, has also pleaded guilty to felony negligent child abuse resulting in injury. His sentencing is set for Sept. 22.

Her older son is accused of shooting his brother, Beau Pecor, with a .22-caliber rifle in April and has been charged with manslaughter.