Defense rests in penalty phase...Two inmates dead...'American Idol' will end

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BOSTON (AP) — A death penalty opponent who was made famous in the 1995 movie "Dead Man Walking" has testified on behalf of Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (joh-HAHR' tsahr-NEYE'-ehv). Sister Helen Prejean (PRAY'-zhahn) says Tsarnaev expressed genuine sorrow for the victims of the attack. She says she began meeting with him in early March at the request of his defense team. The judge allowed her to testify despite prosecutors' objections. After her testimony, defense lawyers rested their case in the penalty phase of the trial. A jury will soon decide whether Tsarnaev should be executed.

TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) — Two inmates have been found dead at a maximum security prison in Nebraska after officers regained control of the facility. State prison officials say inmates took control of at least part of the Tecumseh (teh-KUHM'-sah) State Correctional Institution yesterday. Staff members were attempting to break up a large gathering of inmates in front of a housing unit when the disturbance began. Two staff members and two inmates were injured. Officials now say officers are back in control of the facility, which houses 11 death row inmates.

VAN, Texas (AP) — There are fears that the number of dead could increase in areas of Texas and Arkansas that were hit by a line of tornadoes overnight. As many as ten people are still missing following the storms, which killed at least two people. Dozens of people spent the night at a church shelter in northeastern Texas.

NEW YORK (AP) — New York's governor is appointing a task force to look into the operations of nail salons around the state. The New York Times recently found that nail salon workers are forced to work long hours for little pay, working amid toxic chemicals as they perform manicures and pedicures. Cuomo says salons will be required to post signs in a half-dozen languages informing workers of their rights.

NEW YORK (AP) — It wasn't that long ago that "American Idol" dominated the TV ratings, as it made stars of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and even Simon Cowell. But now, Fox says the show will go off the air after its 15th season next spring. "American Idol" has faded over the past few years, as it was eclipsed by another music competition show, NBC's "The Voice."