Local briefs November 21, 2011

AIDS event planned

The North Idaho HIV Planning Group and The North Idaho AIDS Coalition will host a World AIDS Day event on Dec. 1.

The groups will offer free, confidential, 15-minute HIV testing and education from 10 to 1 p.m. at the North Idaho College in the student union building.

An evening public candle lighting vigil will be held at the Human Rights Education Institute from 6-7 p.m.

The theme of World AIDS Day this year is about "Getting to zero" -zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths.

HIV testing is available in December by appointment at the NIAC office by calling 665-1448.

Sandpoint officials eye improving downtown streets

SANDPOINT - City council members in Sandpoint plan to conduct a study to create a preliminary plan for safe downtown streets that can also accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists.

The Idaho Transportation Department has relinquished control of the streets to the city.

At a city council meeting Wednesday, members examined guidelines for redesigning the streets with the work to be paid for by the Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency.

Councilman John Reuter said that the urban renewal agency wants the council to get a consultant and a cost estimate first.

City councilors said they want the design to include two-way traffic and improved pedestrian and bicycle access throughout downtown but especially to City Beach.

Jury to start deliberations in man's retrial

MOSCOW (AP) - A jury is expected to start deliberations today in the retrial of a man accused in the slaying of a young woman at her Moscow home.

Testimony in the case of 28-year-old David J. Meister of Moscow wrapped up Thursday. Attorneys are scheduled to make closing arguments today and when finished, jurors will start deliberations.

The trial included 17 days of testimony from witnesses that included Meister, who testified in his defense.

Meister denies shooting Tonya Hart, 21, in 2001. Police say he initially confessed in 2002 that Hart's boyfriend had paid him $1,000 to kill the woman. But Meister later recanted, claiming his admission was coerced by law enforcement officers.

He is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

The Idaho Supreme Court overturned Meister's 2003 conviction and life sentence last year, ruling that a district judge had erred in refusing to allow evidence that some other person may have been the shooter during the initial trial.

During Meister's retrial, jurors heard from another man, Lane Thomas, who allegedly confessed to other inmates in the Asotin County Jail that he had killed Hart. But Thomas testified on Wednesday that he had nothing to do with the murder.

Hart was shot twice at point-blank range on the night of Dec. 11, 2001, when she opened the back door of her mobile home north of Moscow. She was 21. Her mother, Debra Hart, testified Thursday as a witness for the prosecution.