NATIONAL BRIEFS

WASHINGTON: Chandra suspect's notes questioned

The man accused of killing Chandra Levy told a prison pen pal that some thought him responsible for a "muchacha muerta," a dead girl, according to disputed testimony Tuesday. Miami resident Maria Mendez said Ingmar Guandique wrote her in 2003. At the time, Guandique was in federal prison on charges unrelated to Levy's 2001 death. Mendez said she had no further explanation of "muchacha muerta." On cross-examination, she acknowledged not remembering exactly what Guandique wrote, and she conceded that he never admitted to murder.

VIRGINIA: Gunman fires at Coast Guard center

A gunman fired at a U.S. Coast Guard recruiting center in Woodbridge late Monday or early Tuesday, and investigators were trying to determine whether it was related to a series of shootings at U.S. military facilities in Northern Virginia. Also Tuesday, Sgt. Kim Chinn, Prince William County police spokeswoman, said forensic analysis has confirmed that a shooting last week at the Marine Corps museum near Quantico is part of the spree.

OREGON: Box cutters found on flight from Tokyo

Authorities say a Delta Air Lines flight from Tokyo to Portland was searched upon landing after its crew found box cutter blades aboard. All 154 passengers and 10 crew members were interviewed as baggage and the plane were searched. It was not known how the blades got on board.

CONNECTICUT: Home invasion trial near end

A man convicted of killing a woman and her two daughters during a home invasion said before his trial he planned to use his apparent suicidal behavior in prison to try to show he was remorseful and influence his sentence, a prison official testified Tuesday. Karen Martucci was one of three witnesses called by prosecutors before they rested their case against Steven Hayes, who was convicted last month of killing Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her daughters in 2007. Closing arguments are set for Thursday.