TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- The Florida Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from a convicted killer under an active death warrant after new DNA testing.
In a seven-to-zero opinion Thursday, the justices noted tests of material from under the victim's fingernails showed their DNA profile was consistent with that of David Eugene Johnston's DNA. Johnston, now 49, was convicted of stabbing and strangling 84-year-old Mary Hammond at her Orlando home in 1983.
Gov. Charlie Crist signed a second death warrant for Johnston last year, but the Supreme Court stayed his execution so DNA testing, which was not available when he was convicted, could be conducted.
Medical News
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Thousands of people with serious medical problems are in danger of losing coverage under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul because of cost overruns, state officials say. -
Your kitchen isn't as clean as you think!
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'Rapid strides': Advances offer hope for amputees
It will be weeks, at least, before Celeste Corcoran is anywhere near ready to think about artificial limbs. The 47-year-old Lowell, Mass.
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FDA ups pressure on compounding pharmacies
The Food and Drug Administration is stepping up pressure on firms that make drugs for specific individuals, known as compounding pharmacies, as it seeks greater regulatory authority following a deadly meningitis outbreak traced to one such pharmacy.
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Report questioning salt guidelines riles heart experts
An unusual medical brawl erupted on Tuesday when the influential Institute of Medicine issued a report questioning the basis of years of advice for Americans to cut their salt intake in half. -
Chris Christie's weight-loss procedure doesn't always work
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie revealed that he's had gastric-band weight-loss surgery, which experts say has the least amount of short-term risk but also yields the least amount of weight loss.
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Caffeinated gum raises health buzz
A new line of caffeinated chewing gum is causing jitters among health advocates and prompting federal officials to take a new look at the proliferation of jolt-infused foods, including those marketed to children and teens.
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Dr. Oz's tips for losing those last 10 pounds
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How First Lady won over Miss. on school lunches
Despite its deeply red political leanings, it was Mississippi that early on embraced the first lady’s ideas about healthy food, and was the site where Mrs. Obama kicked off a two day, three-city tour touting the three-year anniversary of her “Let’s Move” initiative, which encourages kids to get and stay fit.
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Anger may raise heart attack risk, study finds
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Just one daily soda can raise diabetes risk
Drinking just one 12-ounce soda a day may increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, a new study from Europe suggests. -
Gut bugs linked to heart attacks, strokes
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12 school football players die each year, study finds
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Chelation little help for heart disease: study
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Brisk walk may be as good as a run, study finds
Walking really is just as good for you as running – but only if you compare it in terms of calories burned and not merely on time spent, researchers reported on Thursday. -
Smart jocks: Fit kids do better at math, reading
Forget the old high school clichés about athletes not doing as well academically as less sporty kids -- a new study shows that children who exercise more do better in math, reading tests.
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Seeing green might make your workout better
The positive effects of green exercise may have more to do with the color green than with being surrounded by nature, according to a new study. -
No time to exercise? Try 10-minute workouts
The procrastinators, the super-busy, and the easily bored in pursuit of a manageable fitness routine may find what they seek in the 10-minute workout.
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Stressed? Exercise may help ward off anxiety
Exercise not only improves mood, it may help people maintain reduced anxiety in the face of stressful or emotional events, a new study says.
