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PANAMA CITY, Panama — U.S. officials have offered FBI agents to aid Panamanian detectives investigating the killing of a New York City woman, whose body was found charred and dismembered in an abandoned suitcase.
Panamanian police have arrested and charged Debra Ann Ridgley, 56, of Jackson Township, Butler County, in the case. Ridgley's lawyer says her client is innocent.
U.S. Ambassador William Eaton told reporters Wednesday that the Panamanian government has not yet responded to the offer of help in the case of Staten Island businesswoman Toni Grossi Abrams, whose body found last week on the outskirts of Panama City.
Police are also looking for two Colombians in connection with the killing.
LATROBE — St. Vincent College President H. James Towey defended the school's decision to have President Bush speak at commencement, even though he knew it would draw protests."This is a great opportunity for our students to hear the leader of the free world," Towey said at a forum held Tuesday so students could speak for and against Bush's planned speech at the May 11 commencement ceremonies.Towey, who directed Bush's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives before coming to St. Vincent nine months ago, said he knew the choice would be controversial.At the forum on Tuesday night, students spoke both for and against it. Some said he doesn't reflect their values and shouldn't speak at graduation, while others called the visit an honor and a privilege."I am for President Bush coming because I am against his policies," said junior Shane Seremet. "I don't think he's been a good president. But when he comes here, we have a chance to engage him in dialogue."
