By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX –
A 48-year-old Dallas man with two death sentences has lost an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, moving him closer to his execution.
Kenneth Dewayne Thomas is awaiting lethal injection for fatally stabbing a prominent Dallas civil rights lawyer, 66-year-old Fred Finch. He has a second capital murder conviction for killing Finch's 64-year-old wife, Mildred. The slayings occurred in 1986 at the victims' home in Dallas.
The high court Monday refused to review Thomas' case.
Last June, a federal appeals court upheld a lower court's decision that Thomas wasn't entitled to a federal evidentiary hearing to support his claims he's mentally impaired and ineligible for execution.
American Airlines CEO says JAL hasn't vetoed cash
The CEO of American Airlines, which just raised its bid for an investment in Japan Airlines, says no one at the Japanese carrier has said they don't want the money.
Gerard Arpey also said today that his Fort Worth-based company would willingly participate in a restructuring of Japan Airlines, even if JAL seeks protection from creditors.
American and Delta Air Lines are fighting to build close ties to JAL, which has strong routes in Japan and China. Last week, American offered JAL $1.4 billion for a stake in the company, according to sources familiar with the talks. Delta has offered $1 billion.
Published reports in Japan say JAL will cut 16,500 jobs and reject investments from American and Delta, relying instead on a government-led turnaround.
NASA: February launch still on despite bad hoses
NASA is still shooting for a shuttle launch next month, despite bad hoses for a new room at the space station.
Endeavour is supposed to blast off Feb. 7 with the Tranquility module. It's a chamber that will provide additional living quarters at the International Space Station.
Ammonia coolant lines for Tranquility failed recent testing. The metal braiding on two of the four hoses began separating. NASA manager Pete Hasbrook said Monday the contractor is beefing up the 14-foot hoses, which are longer than usual.
At the same time, engineers are building new hoses out of old equipment. Hasbrook says either option hopefully will keep the mission on track. If not, NASA might launch Tranquility in February and fly the improved hoses up in March.