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Ohio State Player Suspected in Kidnapping, Murder

COLUMBUS, OH (AP) - Ohio State University star tail back Maurice Clarett has been implicated in connection with numerous matters of criminal conduct, and is now considered by well-placed sources to be "a person of interest" in one of the highest-profile crimes in American history. The infant son of American Hero Charles Lindbergh, Time Magazine's "Man of the Year" for 1927 - who was kidnapped and found dead in rural New Jersey, is now believed to have had contact with the troubled running back.

"We think there's enough to make some connection," indicated a senior law enforcement official, who declined to be identified for this article. "We have re-opened a number of old cases after hearing about the recent goings on in Columbus, and we think we have a good lead here."

Suspicions shed light on open cases

Dr. Roderick Hufflepuff, coordinator of the BBC's historical television series "Bloody Spotlight on Crime," has indicated that a forthcoming episode focusing on the long-unsolved "Jack the Ripper" cases may feature discussion of the beleagured student athlete. "When Carroty Nell's last word was 'claret' we all believed it to reference the maroon color... but now, we've got a team working on a possible connection. This might be the break in the case that we have needed." Authorities from Scotland Yard were unwilling to comment, beyond the fact that the still-open case has received added attention in recent weeks.

Other well-placed sources indicate that Clarett may soon face charges in a 1994 double homicide in Brentwood, California, and may be called as a material witness in the mysterious disappearance of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre in Paris in the late 19th century.

Lawyers for the late Niccolo Sacco have filed grievances in the Massachussetts Court of Appeals for further review of their client's 1920 conviction on murdre charges. Internet sleuth site The Smoking Gun has released alleged images of these pleadings, which implicate Clarett at the site of the Braintree killings for which Sacco and co-defendant Bartolomeo Vanzetti were convicted and executed in 1927.

Jimmy Nicholas, 7, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, held a press conference with officials from the River Hills Elementary School on Tuesday, to indicate his suspicions that the "bully" who allegedly took his 85 cents in lunch money on Friday prior to fourth period fits Clarett's Interpol descriptions. School officials declined comment, noting that legal counsel advised against further public mention of "a case in the works."

Scientists challenging 'meteor' theory

In related developments, the International Union of Paleontologists has resinded its original schedule of events for its 2003 World Conference in Sao Paolo, Brazil. "it the things we're hearing are correct," said official spokesman Rolf Benschwitzen, "we could have a major breakthrough in our understanding of the abrupt end to the age of the dinosaurs some 65 million years ago."

"We don't have all the details yet, but there is some fossil evidence recently discovered near High Street that could connect anumber of loose ends in the conventional theories," he continued. "This meteor thing always had more questions than answers."