The Blotter

Published February 15, 2012 5:00am ET



War crimes charges against ex-Md. man

Pentagon prosecutors have filed war crimes charges against a Pakistani detainee at Guantanamo who graduated from a Maryland high school, accusing him joining al Qaeda and taking part in a series of post-Sept. 11 terror plots.

Majid Khan, 31, faces up to life in prison if convicted of charges that include murder, attempted murder and providing material support for terrorism.

Khan lived as a child in the suburbs of Baltimore, graduating from Owings Mills High School in 1999 and working at gas stations in the area owned by his family, but he is a citizen of Pakistan.

Special prosecutor appointed in Culpeper shooting

A special prosecutor has been appointed to handle the fatal police shooting of a housewife at a private school parking lot, Culpeper officials announced.

Official told the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star that Fauquier County Commonwealth’s Attorney James Fisher will lead the special investigation.

Virginia State police said a Culpeper police officer shot Patricia A. Cook on Feb. 9 after she drove off with the officer’s arm trapped in her vehicle’s window.

A witness told WUSA 9 that the officer did not appear to have his arm stuck in the window and that he fired six shots at the woman as she drove away.

-Scott McCabe