Elizabeth Smart captor Wanda Barzee is sentenced to 15 years in prison

Wanda Eileen Barzee, the woman who helped her husband keep kidnap victim Elizabeth Smart captive for nine months in 2002, was sentenced today to 15 years in federal prison for the abduction.

In a Salt Lake City federal court, Barzee pleaded guilty to charges of kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor across state lines, said a Times article by Nicholas Riccardi today. She and authorities agreed upon the 15-year sentence provided she testifies against her husband, Brian David Mitchell.

Mitchell kidnapped Smart from her bedroom in Salt Lake City in March 2002 and brought her to a remote camp where Barzee helped him keep her chained up. She was found by a motorist in 2003.

U.S. Atty. Brett Tolman said the agreement means that Smart will not have to testify against  Barzee. Smart was not in the courtroom today.

Federal prosecutors hope to prove at a hearing on Nov. 30 that Mitchell can face charges in federal court after he was found mentally incompetent for state court charges.

What do you think about Barzee’s sentence? Were the charges of kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor appropriate? Do you feel the length of the sentence (15 years) is a proper application of justice? Will this, as the U.S. attorney said today, begin the process of "bring[ing] long-awaited closure to Smart and her family"?

-- Kelsey Ramos

Photo: Elizabeth Smart kidnapper Wanda Barzee following a hearing in federal court Tuesday in Salt Lake City. Credit: Colin E. Braley / AP

Beltway sniper John Allen Muhammad to be executed in Virginia [Updated]

Beltway sniper John Allen Muhammad is scheduled to be executed this evening in Virginia.

[Updated Wednesday: Muhammad's execution was carried out Tuesday night.]

According to the article by Times reporter David G. Savage, Muhammad was convicted in 2003 of the shooting rampage that occurred the year before. Of the 16 people shot, 10 died.

U.S. Atty. Gen. John Ashcroft made the choice seven years ago to send Muhammad, then 41, and his teenage accomplice, Lee Boyd Malvo, to Virginia to be tried despite the fact that more of the mayhem took place in Maryland.

In 2002, Maryland had put the death penalty on hold because of racial unfairness. So while only three of the killings took place in Virginia, a death sentence was a possibility in that state. Thus Ashcroft chose Virginia to hold the trial.

Malvo was convicted of the murders, but because of his young age, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The prosecution and families of the victims have said they are comforted by the sentence. The Supreme Court justices turned down a final emergency appeal from Muhammad's lawyers that he needed more time to develop his appeals since the process has taken place at a rapid pace.

So the question is, is this execution happening too quickly? Was it right that Muhammad was tried in Virginia instead of Maryland? Or do you agree with the speedy execution?

-- Kelsey Ramos

Photo: John Allen Muhammad listens to the jury's recommendation of death in Virginia Beach Circuit Court on November 24, 2003. Credit: Getty Images

12 killed in shooting at Ft. Hood Army base in Texas

A shooting at Ft. Hood Army base in Texas this afternoon has left at least 12 people dead and 31 wounded.  ABC News identified the shooter as Maj. Malik Nadal Hasan. [Update: A previous version of this post stated that there were other shooters.]

Army deputy chief of staff Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli has been at the head of the efforts to reduce the number of Army suicides, which hit a three-decade high in 2008. [Update, 5:01 p.m.: A previous version of this post said Gen. Chiarelli was headed to Ft. Hood today. The Army tells us he is not.]

News organizations are offering updates as quickly as they can. Twitter users are also expressing their concern and speculation on the social network, using the hashtags “#fthood” and “#forthood.” Topping the trending topics, which show the most popular topics at any given time, are “Fort Hood,” “Texas” and “Major Malik Nadal.”

Here are some of the tweets about the shootings:

Lizzs_Lockeroom: Why does it always take a tragedy to bring attention to a long standing problem on soldiers mental health...

TormentedOne: They give us: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage.

Swineheart: A guy would have to "have his head on straight" to get to Major. Seems more likely an ideological issue.

How did you react to news of the shooting?

-- Kelsey Ramos

Photo credit: Reuters

Balloon Boy alive and safe

For a few hours this afternoon, the nation turned its focus to an unlikely victim -- Balloon Boy.

A 6-year-old boy named Falcon Heene was believed to have crawled into a homemade balloon modeled after a UFO in Denver and found himself floating below the clouds. The Heene family was featured on the 100th episode of the ABC show "Wife Swap," which aired nearly two weeks ago.

CNN followed the balloon with cameras as news commentators quizzically ranted about how confusing this whole thing was. Tell me about it.

When the balloon was finally grounded, no one was found inside.

Finally, authorities confirmed that the so-called Balloon Boy was alive and safe.

The hubbub was followed intently by major news organizations, but the chatter was perhaps most prevalent and most immediate on Twitter. On the social network, endless tweets were focused on the event.

As rumors spread and the boy's safety remained uncertain, users signified their distress by Twittering concerned comments and appending the hashtag "#saveballoonboy."

Also on the Trending Topics list, which shows the most popular topics at any given time, was #balloonboy, Balloon Boy, Falcon and Colorado.

Here's a sampling of some of the more notable tweets reacting to the news of the boy being found:

Raychellie: Falcon Heenes (aka: balloon boy) should win the 2009 Hide and Seek award.

SethMyers21: Oh and by the way, THE KID SHOULD GET IN TROUBLE!!!!

Motownmutt: Hearing rumours that the balloon boy is grounded.

Franklinavenue: Today's coverage of "Balloon Boy" brought to you by Disney Home Entertainment. "Up" released on DVD and Blu-ray on Nov. 10!

How did you react to the Balloon Boy news?

Update after the jump...

Metrolink system's toll: 244 fatalities

Although Metrolink safety lapses drew national attention last year when 25 people were killed in a head-on collision with a freight train, many more have died from commuter trains hitting automobiles and pedestrians.

Over the 15 years leading up to the deadly crash in Chatsworth, accidents involving trains running on Metrolink's system killed 218 other people, according to a detailed examination of accident records by The Times. Through September 2008, the number killed on the Metrolink commuter rail system was 244. Hundreds more people sustained nonfatal injuries.

Times reporter Doug Smith uncovered these details and more. Care to comment?

Photos by Genaro Molina and Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times

3 officers slain

The Oakland Police Department's acting chief said handling the deaths will be a "traumatic and daunting task." Share your thoughts on the Oakland police shootings.

Photo: A memorial near the location of the shootings.  Credit: Eric Risberg/Associated Press.

Porter Ranch financial manager kills himself and his family because of the economy

A Porter Ranch father of three, emotionally distraught over the economy murdered his family and then killed himself last weekend.  From the article posted today:

On Sept. 16, he bought a gun. He wrote two suicide notes and a last will and testament. And then, sometime between Saturday night and Monday morning, he killed his wife, mother-in-law and three sons, and took his own life.

"This is a perfect American family behind me that has absolutely been destroyed, apparently because of a man who just got stuck in a rabbit hole, if you will, of absolute despair, somehow working his way into believing this to be an acceptable exit," said LAPD Deputy Chief Michel Moore. "It is critical to step up and recognize we are in some pretty troubled times."

In a letter addressed to police, Rajaram blamed his actions on economic hardships. A second letter, labeled "personal and confidential," was addressed to family friends; the third contained a last will and testament, Moore said.

Feel free to add your insight about this tragedy and/or the economy in the comments below.

-- Tony Pierce

photo by Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times

Victims of the Harris Ranch Fire discussion post

This is a two-part series tracking the journey of several immigrants caught in the Harris Ranch fire while illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border a year ago. Of the eight people who died in the blaze, seven were undocumented migrants. Sixteen illegal immigrants were treated at the U.C. San Diego Regional Burn Center.

Times Staff Photographer Don Bartletti set out to cover the fire when it broke out on Oct. 21, 2007 and accompanied victims to the Burn Center. He traveled to Mexico for funerals for the deceased, and followed two survivors through a year of treatment and recovery. Times Staff Writer Marjorie Miller interviewed survivors, as well as medical, fire, law enforcement and other state officials, in San Diego and Oregon.

Questions on the table:

- Nicolas Beltran says he understands that Americans are angry about illegal immigration, but he says he does jobs Americans don’t want to do for a wage they won’t accept. Is he right? Are undocumented immigrants a boon to the economy or a drain on it?

- After  the burn victims arrived at UCSD, the hospital was overwhelmed with calls from people outraged that the undocumented immigrants were being treated. Do you agree that hospitals should provide emergency care to anyone, whether here legally or not, according to federal law?

-- Marjorie Miller

November 22, 2007. Mazatlan, Guerrero, Mexico. The hilltop cemetery overlooking Mazatlan, a town of 5000 people. Once they were identified, the 5 victims of the October 21, 2007 Harris Ranch Fire in San Diego County were buried here. Photo by Don Bartletti, LA Times

Remembering victims of the Metrolink crash

The L.A. Times created an online database for the people killed in Friday's Metrolink crash in Chatsworth, and comments honoring the deceased have been pouring in.  Many of the comments came from acquaintances who did not know the victims well, but who were no less upset by the loss. 

On Spree Desha's page, Lt. Maria Acosta, LAPD wrote: "Spree was an impressive officer whose dedication to excellence was apparent in everything she did. Her compassion knew no bounds as well as evidenced by last year's cancer fundraiser known as 'St. Baldrick's.' This is an annual fundraiser organized by the Fire Department where money is raised by officers and firefighters by having their heads shaved (to show support for cancer victims who often lose their hair). Spree participated in St. Baldrick's and had her head shaved."

On Atul Vayas' page, Richard Tsai wrote: "He scored in the top percentile on his mcat. I was supposed to give him a mock interview this weekend for medical interviews. He would have made an extremely fine doctor and I'm sure he would have been excepted everywhere. Intelligent, congenial, and compassionate."

On Ronald Grace's page, Don Behm wrote: "A huge Chargers and San Diego State Aztecs fan. An amazing teacher of history and, as you can read above, a mentor, guidance counselor, and friend to everyone he met."

On Howard Pompel's page, Marina Laverdy wrote: "Howard was part of an extended 'family' of riders on the 115 train home each day. We sat and talked and shared stories about our families and lives that often left us in gales of laughter. Howard was often the leader of those conversations. He was a sweet, funny and kind man."

-- Amy Silverstein

AP photo