NATIONAL BRIEFS

WASHINGTON: Cartel man held in murder

An accused drug cartel member, extradited from Mexico to face charges for his alleged role in the murder and attempted murder of U.S. immigration agents in February, appeared in federal court in Washington, the Justice Department said Wednesday. Julian Zapata Espinoza was ordered held without bail for a next court appearance Jan. 25. He was charged in the Feb. 15 shooting attack in Mexico in which Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jaime Zapata died and colleague Victor Avila was wounded. They were in an armored vehicle on the way to Mexico City from San Luis Potosi when they were ambushed in broad daylight. Zapata Espinoza, also known as "El Piolin" (Tweety Bird), was captured in Mexico along with other alleged Zeta gang members after the shooting.

MARYLAND: Manning's defense rests

The defense rested its case Wednesday after presenting little evidence in a pretrial hearing to counter charges that Pfc. Bradley Manning illegally downloaded and leaked hundreds of thousands of sensitive government documents to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks. Legal experts said an absence of exculpatory evidence now could mean Manning's defense team is reserving its strongest argument for an eventual court-martial.

UTAH: A prize driver couldn't afford

A truck driver who won a $300,000 Lamborghini sports car in a convenience store contest crashed it six hours after he got it. Now he plans to sell the lime-green 640-horsepower convertible because he can't afford the insurance or taxes. "I have bills more important than a Lamborghini," David Dopp said Wednesday. I've got a family to support." A a driver for Frito-Lay, Dopp, 34, spun out of control just a few hours after taking the keys to the Murcielago roadster that he won in a "Joe Schmo to Lambo" contest sponsored by Maverik convenience stores. The damage "isn't super bad," he said, a punctured oil pan and tire, and a few dents and scratches on the front and rear ends.