The Odd Truth, April 26, 2005
The Odd Truth is a collection of strange but factual news stories from around the world compiled by CBSNews.com's Joey Arak.
Granny's Got A Gun
NEWARK, N.J. - She's 87 and "a nice lady."
She's also facing a weapons charge after trying to enter a county courthouse with a .38-caliber Smith & Wesson.
Rebecca Solomon was running late for a hearing in landlord-tenant court Wednesday and forgot to take the gun out of her handbag and put it in the trunk as she had planned.
A metal detector at the courthouse flagged the weapon, which was still in its original box.
"I asked the guard if he could just keep it until I got back from court," Solomon said. "He said, `I can't do that. I'm afraid I'm going to have to call my supervisor."'
Although Solomon has a permit to own the gun, she does not have one to carry it in public. She was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun.
"We had no choice," said Sheriff Armando Fontoura. "We felt bad about it. But there was nothing we can do."
Solomon said she bought the gun, and a box of bullets, for protection. Within the past year, her home has been broken into three times, she said.
"I know I made a mistake," she said. "I just get forgetful sometimes."
Crook Locked In Target's Trunk
FRESNO, Calif. - Getting locked in a car trunk is bad enough, but locking yourself in the trunk of the car you're trying to rip off is worse.
Sheriff's Lt. Louis Hernandez said a man captured Sunday deserved an award for "dumbest criminal of the day."
A security guard called police when he heard banging coming from the inside of a car trunk, and authorities figured a crime victim was locked inside. But police said it turned out the "victim" was apparently the perp.
According to investigators, the man crawled into the trunk while he was ransacking the car. But he managed to lock himself inside as he was trying to climb out.
Jail ... Or No Football?
OSHKOSH, Wis. - It's a choice that could give pause to some Green Bay Packers fans.
A judge ordered an Appleton woman convicted of theft to decide whether to spend 90 days in jail or donate her family's Packers tickets next season to charity.
Sharon E. Rosenthal, 59, took more than $3,000 from labor union accounts before she left the organization, using the money to help pay household bills, according to a criminal complaint.
Judge Scott Woldt offered her the decision to either serve the jail time or donate her family's four seats in the Packers' three-game season package to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The jail time or the ticket donation will occur as part of Rosenthal's overall two-year period of probation.
Anthem Flubber Gets Another Try
NEW YORK - The game ended Friday night, but the national anthem wasn't finished until long afterward.
Caroline Marcil started singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" Friday before an exhibition hockey game between the U.S. and Canada in Quebec City. But the flustered 24-year-old from Montreal twice forgot the lyrics.
She left the ice to get the lyrics and then slipped and fell while returning. She left without singing either anthem.
Marcil appeared on ABC over the weekend to sing the U.S. anthem -- and did it perfectly.
She says the pressure before the game got to her. Then, the crowd started booing and she says her mind went "completely blank."
By the way, the U.S. won 5-4.
Big Bologna Bust
WASHINGTON - Over 800 pounds of Mexican bologna smuggled into the U.S. without refrigeration has been destroyed by the Agriculture Department.
It was found in suitcases aboard a bus earlier this month north of Las Cruces, New Mexico. The man who owned it says it was going to be sold at a swap meet or flea market.
The man entered the country legally, and is not being charged.
The Agriculture Department has approved some imports of Mexican bologna, but it must be refrigerated. Un-refrigerated bologna can create health risks such as Classic Swine Fever.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE'S NO MORE FRIES?!
DuBOIS, Pa. - Call it a case of French fry rage. Gregg Luttman has been sentenced to 45 days in jail after throwing a fit in the drive-thru lane of a Burger King. Authorities say the DuBois, Pennsylvania, man blew his top when told the fast-food joint was out of fires. According to police, Luttman made an obscene gesture at a drive-thru clerk, cursed at restaurant staff and nearly hit an employee with his truck. Luttman has pleaded guilty to a number of charges stemming from the New Year's Day fry affair, including assault and resisting arrest. Luttman was also fined $150 and ordered to serve two years' probation.
Security For A Real Quack
WASHINGTON - Usually only Washington VIP's get Secret Service protection. But now there's a VID -- a Very Important Duck -- getting the special treatment. A mama mallard has taken up residence outside the Treasury Department. The bird has made a nest and is watching over her nine eggs. Officials have fenced off the sidewalk and the Secret Service is helping to guard the nest. The eggs are expected to hatch in the next few days. Soon after, the mother duck will likely parade her ducklings to the nearest body of water. Officials say if the duck family needs a Secret Service escort, they'll get that, too.