Published: August 27, 2008 10:43 pm      

8-28 OKC news in brief

Terrill to testify on immigration

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The author of Oklahoma’s anti-illegal immigration law plans to testify in Utah about the law’s impact.

Utah lawmakers are using legislation drafted by Republican state Rep. Randy Terrill of Moore as a model for their own efforts to fight illegal immigration.

Terrill says he looks forward to helping the people of Utah work on the issue. He will testify in Park City.

Terrill’s bill changed Oklahoma law to eliminate incentives that lure illegal aliens to the state. It ended most public assistance and taxpayer-funded entitlement benefits for illegal aliens and penalized employers who employ illegal aliens.

In June, a federal judge blocked portions of the law that were scheduled to go into effect July 1. The judge says it is “substantially likely” the law is unconstitutional.



Apartment complex owners could be charged in death

DEL CITY (AP) — Del City officials said the owners of an apartment complex could be charged after a man apparently trying to steal copper wire was electrocuted.

Del City Police Lt. Jody Suit said the body of 32-year-old Damon Patrick Schmidt was found Tuesday in a condemned area of the Kristie Manor Apartments. Suit said it appeared Schmidt had been dead about 24 hours.

Police said it appeared Schmidt was trying to steal copper from an electrical box. Suit said Schmidt’s father found the body about 10 feet from an industrial-size electrical box, with tools nearby.

Mark Edwards, Del City’s city manager, said that because that section of the apartment was condemned and considered dilapidated, that area should have been secured and patrolled.