Census report: Texas population booming
By CHRIS MORAN
Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
Dec. 23, 2009, 5:11PM
While bubbles burst around the nation, Texas booms.
The U.S. Census Bureau reported today that Texas added more residents than any other state in the year ending July 1.
There are 478,000 more people in the Lone Star State than a year ago roughly the equivalent of packing up all of Fresno, Calif., and moving it here.
Why the growth? Try looking for work in Fresno.
The economic downturn did not dodge Texas, of course, but relative to other states, Texas has it good, demographers say lower unemployment and a more stable housing market.
In that context, finishing first in the year's population race is more survival than victory, demographers say.
In certain respects Texas was the only state left standing during the last recession, so the competitors for migration kind of all went away, said Texas state demographer Karl Eschbach of the University of Texas at San Antonio.
California, Nevada and Florida all had more people leave than move in from other states in the past year.
There's no place to move other than Texas, Eschbach said.
The state's population, according to the Census estimates, is now at 24.8 million.
The new numbers and what they portend lend credence to both boosters and Cassandras.
The new numbers and what they portend lend credence to both boosters and Cassandras.
Growth has been the religion of Houston and Texas, said Stephen Klineberg, a sociology professor at Rice University. That's a measure of our virtue and success.
On the other hand, Klineberg said, as growth's byproducts traffic, pollution and reduced green space become more evident, concern about growth is much more a part of public discourse.
What was striking was the degree of consensus among the three leading candidates for mayor all talking about the need for some kind of comprehensive plan to guide the future growth. You would never see that before, Klineberg said.
Like to see that everyone is seeing the light, but
by Scooter
yeah, we need plans in place to absorb the changes from population growth. Else we'll lose what everybody loves about Texas (and I'm scared it's too late, that the "magic" is gone). Bleh.
Texas hasn't really been hit as hard by the recession
by bugs
but then it's also a cost effective place to live where people are pretty simple and happy with their live rather than feel the need to have everything..or at least that is a attitude here in East Texas...I do worry about a northern invasion..I already see it in Austin..that city has basically become a mini LA..even the citizens there are fighting it with the slogan "Keep Austin Weird" But living here I can see why they want to come here..because there is no way I would ever leave.
Keep in mind Scooter for now you and I are safe..these people(definition of these people here is anyone who isn't a Texan) are going to be moving into the larger cities and probably couldn't find your town or mine if they had to.
Very few Liberal states do. Liberal policies do not work for the people, although they claim that they are the answer to all our problems. Liberal policies work for the government and the governors. Liberal politics allow weak links like Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi to rise to the top of their heap.....rather than the "cream," it's the "dregs."
It is quite possible that the natural beauty that many of us are used to and many times take for granted, will someday be a thing of the past. That is if there are not any plans in place to regulate growth and development. For the most part, most of the growth is going to take place in your larger metropolitan areas. Although there are many smaller towns that would benefit financially, it will eventually take away that small town charm. You never know, they may turn west Texas into the new Vegas. The land is cheap after all. And it would be nice for us locals too as we would not have to fly or drive so far to gamble. lol I for one would like to keep our state parks and wildlife protected and I would like to see some areas remain undeveloped. If they are going to expand in the cities, that is fine, we need our parks and recreational areas and they need to plan the roads accordingly as traffic can be a real bee-itch. lol
Oscar winning actors Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins have split up after more than two decades together, Sarandon's representative said on Wednesday.
"Actress Susan Sarandon and her partner of 23 years, actor Tim Robbins, have announced that they separated over the summer," Sarandon's representative Teal Cannaday said in a statement.
A representative for Robbins could not immediately be reached for comment.
The pair were not married, but they have two sons together. For years, they have been one of the entertainment industry's most enduring couples, known for their film work as well as their social and political activism.
Sarandon stars in "The Lovely Bones," which was released in U.S. theaters earlier this month, and she won an Oscar for her role in the 1995 criminal execution movie "Dead Man Walking."
Robbins won a best supporting Oscar for his role in 2003's "Mystic River." He also is an author and the director behind "Dead Man Walking."
(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis: Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
Copyright 2009 Reuters News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
WYTHEVILLE, Va. (AP) Authorities say as many as five people are being held hostage at a post office in a small town in Virginia.
Wyethville (WITH-ville) Mayor Trent Crewe says five people are inside the building, including three employees and two customers. Crewe says shots have been fired but no injuries have been reported.
The situation began at about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. The suspect has not been identified. Wytheville is in western Virginia.
Boy, 16, Charged With Starting 2 California Wildfires
by bugs
Boy, 16, Charged With Starting 2 California Wildfires
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. A 16-year-old Southern California boy has been charged as an adult for allegedly starting two arson wildfires in San Bernardino County earlier this year.
District attorney spokeswoman Susan Mickey said Wednesday that Ricky Sean Lukacs will be arraigned in adult court on Dec. 28.
He is charged with two counts of arson of an inhabited structure and is being held in juvenile hall.
Authorities say the teen set two fires in the Yucaipa area over a two-day period in late August. The fires did not cause serious injury or death.
Reindeer dung ornaments, jewelry net Ill. zoo $20K
by bugs
Reindeer dung ornaments, jewelry net Ill. zoo $20K
Dec 23, 12:09 PM (ET)
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) - Necklaces and Christmas ornaments made from dime-sized pieces of reindeer droppings have earned a Bloomington, Ill., zoo nearly $21,000 this holiday season.
The Miller Park Zoological Society made about $5,000 selling reindeer-dropping ornaments last year. It added necklaces this year when customers asked if jewelry was available.
The reindeer droppings are dehydrated, sterilized and spray-painted with glitter. They're called "Magical Reindeer Gems."
The ornaments cost $7.50 at the zoo's gift shop or $10 by mail. The necklaces sold for $15 at the gift shop, or $20 by mail.
The zoological society says the ornaments and necklaces sold nationwide. Requests also came in from other countries, but federal regulations don't allow reindeer droppings to be exported.
I got out of work a day early so we're heading to my daughters 3 1/2 hour drive away before the snowstorm hits. All everyone's been talking about is this hellacious storm that's coming. Hell, we got 4 wheel drive and several bottles of booze we'll be fine. It will be nice to get going early though. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday however you celebrate it.
We're getting a storm in tonight too. Rain turning to snow later. Overjoyed for the needed rain, but the rest . . . blah! Ya'll buckle up on the way to Grandma's house!
Balloon boy parents get jail time, tough probation
by Saien
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - The parents who carried out the balloon boy hoax were sentenced to jail Wednesday and given strict probation conditions that forbid them from earning any money from the spectacle for four years.
Richard Heene was sentenced to 90 days in jail, including 60 days of work release that will let him pursue his job as a construction contractor while serving his time. His wife, Mayumi, was sentenced to 20 days in jail.
Richard Heene choked back tears as he said he was sorry, especially to the rescue workers who chased down false reports that his 6-year-old son had floated away in a balloon on Oct. 15. It was a stunt designed to generate attention for a reality TV show.
"I do want to reiterate that I'm very, very sorry. And I want to apologize to all the rescue workers out there, and the people that got involved in the community. That's it," said Richard Heene, whose wife did not speak at the hearing.
Larimer County District Judge Stephen Schapanski then ordered Heene to begin a 30-day jail term on Jan. 11, delaying the start of the sentence for two weeks so he can spend the holidays with his family. Schapanski allowed Heene to serve the remaining 60 days of his jail term under work release, meaning he can work during the day but spend his nights in jail.
The Heenes' probation will be revoked if they are found to be profiting from any book, TV, movie or other deals related to the stunt.
"This, in simple terms, was an elaborate hoax that was devised by Mr. and Mrs. Heene," the judge said.
The Heenes pleaded guilty to charges that they carried out the balloon hoax, with deals that called for up to 90 days in jail for the husband and 60 days for his wife.
Schapanski ordered Mayumi Heene to serve 20 days in jail after her husband completes his sentence. Her time served is flexible - she can report to jail on 10 weekends, for example - so the children are cared for, the judge said.
Prosecutors asked for the maximum sentence for the husband, saying that a message needs to be sent to promoters who attempt to carry out hoaxes to generate publicity. Chief Deputy District Attorney Andrew Lewis also asked for full restitution to reimburse authorities for the cost of investigating the hoax - an amount that could exceed $50,000.
"People around the world were watching this unfold," he said. "Mr. Heene wasted a lot of manpower and a lot of money in wanting to get himself some publicity."
He added, "Jay Leno said it best when he said, 'This is copycat game.' And people will copycat this event. (The Heenes) need to go to jail so people don't do that."
He portrayed the Heenes as growing increasingly desperate as their pitches for a reality TV show kept getting turned down by networks - and the family fell deeper into a financial hole. Lewis said the Heenes set in motion the balloon hoax in early October as a way to jumpstart the effort and get some attention.
They chose Oct. 15 because the weather was cooperating and the kids were home for school with parent-teacher conferences, allowing the Heenes to report that 6-year-old Falcon had floated away, Lewis said.
Once the parents were brought in for questioning, Richard Heene feigned sleep during the lie-detector test, claiming it was some sort of diabetic episode, Lewis said.
David Lane, Richard Heene's attorney, pleaded for leniency with the judge and said that the couple "have learned a lesson they will never forget for the rest of their lives." He also said that if someone has to go to jail, let it be Richard Heene and not his wife.
"That is his plea. That would be something of a Christmas miracle if that can occur," he said.
Grandad would call them "goofier than three-legged road lizards". I agree they should be punished more for their utter disregard for taxpayer money and effort and RISK on the part of our emergency responders/police/etc.
Update: Brazilian family says it won't appeal ruling returning boy to U.S. dad
by Saien
Brazilian relatives of a 9-year-old boy, who had been the subject of an international custody battle with the child's father, will not file any further appeals after the Brazilian Supreme Court ruled against them, their attorney told CNN Wednesday.
The family is just looking for a peaceful handover of Sean Goldman to his father, attorney Sergio Tostes said, and plan on starting dialogue to allow the transfer to happen immediately.
The chief justice of the Brazilian Supreme Court ruled Tuesday in favor of David Goldman, who had been battling the family of the boy's deceased mother for custody. The ruling by Chief Justice Gilmar Mendes will reunite Sean with his father.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - An Ohio woman who asked that police be called after she caught her 6-year-old daughter shoplifting a package of stickers said Wednesday that she was just trying to teach the girl a lesson early in life.
Diane Lyons said she doesn't believe she overreacted when she discovered the girl, Shiane, had taken the $3.11 package of stickers used to make temporary tattoos. An older 10-year-old daughter told Lyons about the theft.
Chief Ronald Yeager of the Carrollton Police Department in eastern Ohio arrived at the Discount Drug Mart Dec. 15 and took the girl to the police station in his cruiser before releasing her to Lyons.
Yeager told Lyons the girl sat quietly in the car on the way to the police. A phone message was left with Yeager on Wednesday.
"I don't think I went too far," Lyons said in a phone interview. "You've got to catch them when they first start if they do something wrong."
Lyons, 31, asked about collecting a $30 reward for turning in shoplifters but decided not to follow up because she felt bad about doing it.
"People think that I set her up or something to get the reward," Lyons said.
Lyons said she's seen parents give children a light spanking in similar situations but felt that wasn't enough in Shiane's case. She's confident the girl learned her lesson.
"I don't think Shiane would do it again, I really don't, because of all that I did," Lyons said.
A Discount Drug Mart spokesman said Wednesday he was not familiar with the case. Chief Financial Officer Tom McConnell said he could recall at least one other time in a store where parents also asked that police be called on a shoplifting child.
KINGSTON, Jamaica An American Airlines flight carrying 154 people skidded across a Jamaican runway in heavy rain, bouncing across the tarmac and injuring more than 40 people before it stopped just short of the Caribbean Sea, officials and witnesses said.
Panicked passengers screamed and baggage burst from overhead bins as Flight 331 from Miami careened down the runway in the capital, Kingston, on Tuesday night, one passenger said.
The impact cracked the fuselage, crushed the left landing gear and separated both engines from the Boeing 737-800, airline spokesman Tim Smith said.
Crews evacuated dazed and bloodied passengers onto a beach from a cabin that smelled of smoke and jet fuel, passengers said. Rain poured through the plane's broken roof, one said.
Some 44 people were taken to hospitals with broken bones and back pains and four were seriously hurt, airport and Jamaican government officials said. American Airlines said two people were admitted to the hospital and nobody suffered life-threatening injuries.
Heavy turbulence on the way to Jamaica had forced the crew to halt the beverage service three times before giving up, Pilar Abaurrea of Keene, New Hampshire, told The Associated Press by phone. The pilot warned of more turbulence just before landing but said it likely wouldn't be much worse, she said.
"All of a sudden, when it hit the ground, the plane was kind of bouncing. Someone said the plane was skidding and there was panic," she said.
U.S. investigators will analyze whether the plane should have been landing in such bad weather, Smith said, adding that other planes had landed safely in the heavy rain.
Passenger Natalie Morales Hendricks told NBC's "Today" that the plane began to skid upon landing and "before I knew it, everything was black and we were crashing."
"Everybody's overhead baggage started to fall. Literally, it was like being in a car accident. People were screaming, I was screaming," she said.
"There was smoke and debris everywhere," after the plane halted, she said. "It was a mess. Everybody could smell jet fuel."
Passenger Robert Mais told The Gleaner newspaper of Jamaica that he had heard the engine's reverse throttle but that the plane didn't seem to slow as it skittered down the runway.
The plane came to a halt about 10 to 15 feet (3 to 5 meters) from the Caribbean Sea and passengers walked along the beach to be picked up by a bus, Mais said. Rain came through the roof of the darkened jet and baggage from the overhead compartments was strewn about the cabin, he said.
The plane originated at Reagan National Airport in Washington and took off from Miami International Airport at 8:52 p.m. and arrived in Kingston at 10:22 p.m. It was carrying 148 passengers and a crew of six, American said. The majority of those aboard were Jamaicans coming home for Christmas, Jamaican Information Minister Daryl Vaz said.
Smith said there were two "significant" cracks in the fuselage, and the engines are designed to separate from the wings during an accident as a safety measure.
A team of six investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board was traveling to Jamaica from Washington on Wednesday morning to assist a probe led by the island's government, agency spokesman Keith Holloway said.
The airport reopened early Wednesday after officials had delayed flights because of concerns that the plane's tail might be hindering visibility.
Four hundred passengers waited for their flights to be cleared for takeoff, Security Minister Dwight Nelson told Radio Jamaica.
Heavy rains that have pelted Jamaica's eastern region for four days are expected to dissipate by Thursday. Authorities said the rains washed away a 7-year-old girl on Tuesday and led to a bus crash in which two people died.
___
Associated Press Writers Danica Coto and Ben Fox in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Howard Campbell in Kingston, Jamaica; Carol Druga in Atlanta, Georgia; and Sofia Mannos in Washington contributed to this report.
Man with knife in chest calls 911, orders coffee
Dec 23, 8:38 AM (ET)
WARREN, Mich. (AP) - A man who walked into a Michigan diner with a 5-inch knife stuck in his chest ordered a coffee and complained only about the cold weather.
The 52-year-old man, who has not been identified, called a 911 operator in Warren on Sunday night to ask that an ambulance be sent to Bray's, an eatery in neighboring Hazel Park.
He said he had been stabbed during an attempted robbery half a mile away, then walked to the restaurant and called 911 from a pay phone.
On a recording of the call, the man gives a vague description of his attacker before saying, "I'm gonna sit down at Bray's 'cause they got a chair and it's cold out here."
Restaurant employee George Mirdita tells The Detroit News the man calmly ordered coffee.
BabyCenter's list of most-popular baby names of the decade and 2009
by Saien
Each year, BabyCenter gets the inside scoop on the most popular baby names from hundreds and thousands of new parents. Here's what's hot and what's not in 2009. We also went a step further this year to bring you the 50 most popular names of the decade.
Note: To capture true popularity, our exclusive baby names list combines names that sound the same but have multiple spellings (like Aden, Aiden, and Ayden).
Top girls' names of the decade
1. Emma
2. Emily
3. Madison
4. Isabella
5. Ava
Top boys' names of the decade
1. Aiden
2. Jacob
3. Ethan
4. Matthew
5. Nicholas
Top girls' names of 2009
1. Isabella
2. Sophia
3. Emma
4. Olivia
5. Ava
Top boys' names of 2009
1. Aiden
2. Ethan
3. Jackson
4. Jayden
5. Jacob
This year, parents found baby-naming inspiration in everything from vampires to vote-getters. Fans of Twilight, Stephenie Meyer's bestselling vampire series, have sunk their fangs into the list, boosting such names as Bella, Alice, and Edward. On the presidential front, the commander-in-chief's daughters Sasha and Malia are moving up our list.
keep in mind she's in her 20's that a lot of people were naming children after grandparents and great grandparents bringing the old names back. she was going to name her baby Rose.
was James Coleman. My oldest grandson is Coleman James and we call him Cole. The name was actually my son in law's idea because he liked my Dad so much as everyone did. I love that he is named after him.
My daughter, Jamie, is after him too. The first time I saw that name was a hamburger place when I was in high school and knew right away that if I had a girl that would be her name!
'Mister Ed' actress Connie Hines dies at age 78
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BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. Actress Connie Hines, who played Wilbur's wife on the popular 1960s television show "Mister Ed" has died. She was 78.
Her "Mister Ed" co-star Alan Young told the Los Angeles Times that Hines died Friday at her Beverly Hills home from complications of heart problems.
Hines was best known for portraying Carol Post on the show that featured a talking horse. She wrote a section about her career in Young's 2007 book "Mister Ed and Me and More."
Born in Massachusetts, Hines also appeared in the 1960 film "Thunder in Carolina" and TV shows that included "The Millionaire," "Johnny Ringo" and "Riverboat."
Hines was married twice, the last time to Lee Savin, an entertainment lawyer and producer who died in 1995
* 1 1/2 pounds large tomatoes, such as beefsteak, cut in half crosswise
* 1 medium sweet onion, such as Vidalia, peeled and cut in half crosswise
* 3 garlic cloves, unpeeled
* 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided into 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 2 cups reduced-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, divided
* 1/4 cup tomato juice
* 1 teaspoon tomato paste
* 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
* 1 dash brown sugar (optional)
* 1/2 cup whole-kernel corn, fresh from 1 ear, or frozen and thawed
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
2. Toss tomatoes, onion, and garlic in a mixing bowl with 1 tablespoon oil. Season with salt and pepper. Spread on the prepared baking sheet and roast until the vegetables are soft and caramelized, about 30 minutes. Let cool.
3. Peel and seed the tomatoes. Trim off the onion ends. Peel the garlic. Place the vegetables in a food processor or blender with 1 cup broth and the remaining 1 teaspoon oil. Pulse to desired thickness and texture.
4. Transfer the vegetable puree to a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven. Add the remaining 1 cup broth, tomato juice, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, basil, and brown sugar (if using). Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring often. Ladle into six soup bowls; garnish with corn and serve.
Makes 6 servings.
Nutrition
Per serving: 90 calories; 2 g fat (1 g sat, 1 g mono); 3 mg cholesterol; 15 g carbohydrates; 4 g protein; 3 g fiber; 140 mg sodium; 565 mg potassium.
Mercy (Repeat)
NBC: Wednesday, December 23 7:00 PM
Drama, Medical
Pulling the Goalie
Veronica must decide if her affair with Dr. Sands is really over when Mike pressures her to start a family; Sonia winds up acting as a marriage counselor for two feuding patients; Chloe considers taking her crush on Dr. Sands to the next level.
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
ABC: Wednesday, December 23 7:00 PM
Children, Special Christmas
Boris Karloff narrates an animated tale about a curmudgeon and merry Whoville; author Theodor Geisel, animator Chuck Jones and other artists recall creating the 1966 holiday classic.
The Middle (Repeat)
ABC: Wednesday, December 23 7:30 PM
Sitcom
The Trip
Frankie encourages Sue to fight for her right to attend a class trip to the state capitol; Brick's first girlfriend turns out to be a bit bossy.
Glee (Repeat)
FOX: Wednesday, December 23 7:00 PM
Musical comedy
Preggers
Kurt tries out for the football team; two members of the glee club receive life-altering news.
The 11th Annual A Home for the Holidays With Faith Hill
CBS: Wednesday, December 23 7:00 PM
Special, Music Christmas
Celebrities present inspirational stories of adoption; musicians Mary J. Blige, Michael Franti, Reba McEntire, Shakira and Carrie Underwood are featured with actresses Jenna Elfman and Nia Vardalos; Faith Hill performs.
Mercy (Repeat)
NBC: Wednesday, December 23 8:00 PM
Drama, Medical
The Last Thing I Said Was
Veronica takes a cue from her courageous cancer patient and contemplates facing her fear by admitting her affair to her husband; Sonia gets relationship advice from an experienced patient; Chloe plans a reunion with a former boyfriend.
Modern Family (Repeat)
ABC: Wednesday, December 23 8:00 PM
Sitcom
Come Fly With Me
Things go awry when Jay takes Phil out to fly his new model plane; Gloria takes Alex dress shopping.
The Middle (Repeat)
ABC: Wednesday, December 23 8:30 PM
Sitcom
The Scratch
An accident leads to a visit from a social worker; Bob tries to help Mr. Ehlert shoot a commercial.
Glee (Repeat)
FOX: Wednesday, December 23 8:00 PM
Musical comedy
The Rhodes Not Taken
Will tries to give the glee club more of an edge by bringing in a former classmate (Kristin Chenoweth).
Criminal Minds (Repeat)
CBS: Wednesday, December 23 8:00 PM
Suspense, Crime drama, Mystery
Pleasure Is My Business
The team searches for a female serial killer who targets high-powered executives.
The Jay Leno Show (New)
NBC: Wednesday, December 23 9:00 PM
Entertainment, Talk, Variety
Dan Finnerty and the Dan Band present Christmas cards.
Cougar Town (Repeat)
ABC: Wednesday, December 23 9:00 PM
Sitcom
Don't Do Me Like That
Family and friends get in the way of Jules' 10th date with her boyfriend; Bobby is forced to behave like a responsible dad.
Cougar Town (Repeat)
ABC: Wednesday, December 23 9:30 PM
Sitcom
You Wreck Me
Jules tries to boost Bobby's self-confidence; Laurie takes on a new client in an attempt to prove her worth to Jules.
CSI: NY (Repeat)
CBS: Wednesday, December 23 9:00 PM
Crime drama, Action, Suspense, Adventure, Mystery
Green Piece
The team is forced to reconstruct damaged clues after a pipe bomb blows a Manhattan townhouse to pieces.
Woman convicted of killing man who taunted her over N.Y. Yankees decal
by BDB
Woman convicted of killing man who taunted her over N.Y. Yankees decal
By Jason Kessler, CNN
December 22, 2009 7:28 p.m. EST
New York (CNN) -- A New Hampshire jury on Monday found a Nashua woman guilty of second-degree murder for running over a man who had heckled her for being a New York Yankees fan.
Ivonne Hernandez, 45, was accused in the May 2008 killing of 29-year-old Matthew Beaudoin.
Prosecutors said the confrontation began as a dispute between Hernandez and a female friend of Beaudoin's outside a bar. It escalated when Beaudoin noticed a large Yankees decal in the rear window of Hernandez's Dodge Intrepid and started to taunt her about the major league baseball team.
When Hernandez started to drive away, Beaudoin briefly followed the car on foot. Hernandez then turned her car around and returned to the alley where Beaudoin and his friends remained and struck him. He later died from his injuries, which included multiple skull fractures.
The defense argued Hernandez's actions were accidental -- a byproduct of her disorientation and panic after the confrontation.
But prosecutors said in New Hampshire Superior Court, "a few curse words and some insults to a baseball team do not justify murder."
Beaudoin's sister, Faith, said her family was delighted with Monday's verdict. It's "absolutely wonderful to have a Christmas gift like this," she told CNN.
The prosecution also expressed satisfaction with the jury's decision.
"We're very pleased with the verdict," senior assistant attorney general Susan Morrell said. "We believe it's a fair and just verdict based on the evidence."
Calls to Hernandez's attorneys weren't returned Monday.
Hernandez could face a sentence of up to life in prison.
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US balloon boy parents must pay $42,000 rescue bill
by BDB
US balloon boy parents must pay $42,000 rescue bill
Falcon Heene, pictured on 15 October 2009
Falcon Heene was never in the balloon and was found hiding at home
US parents who triggered a major alert by claiming their son was adrift in a helium balloon have been ordered to pay the $42,000 (£26,000) rescue bill.
The Colorado couple reported in October that their young son had been carried away by the balloon - whose progress was then tracked by news organisations.
Six-year-old Falcon Heene's disappearance became a media drama, but he was found hiding afterwards at home.
It later emerged the hoax was an attempt to secure a TV deal.
Their lawyer, David Lane, said Richard Heene and his wife Mayumi have now been ordered to pay restitution for the emergency services' rescue efforts.
'Cannot afford bill'
Millions of television viewers were gripped by live coverage of the drifting weather balloon which was feared to have Falcon on board.
Falcon's parents have pleaded guilty to a number of charges and face a sentencing hearing on Wednesday.
TV news crews in the US tracked the balloon as it landed
Richard Heene has admitted attempting to influence a public servant. Mayumi Heene admits false reporting to the authorities.
Although the charges are punishable by jail terms, it is expected they will receive probation orders.
Mr Lane said the Heenes cannot afford to pay the $42,000 bill.
Police carried out an intensive search for the boy after the balloon landed about 64km (40 miles) north of Denver and was found to be empty.
But it then transpired that the child was hiding at home and days later the couple were accused of the elaborate hoax - apparently an attempt to secure a deal for a reality TV show.
David Goldman Wins Court Custody Fight for Son
New Jersey Dad Hopes to Bring Son Home From Brazil for Christmas
By MARK MOONEY and SONIA GALLEGO
Dec. 22, 2009
New Jersey dad David Goldman won a court fight today when the Brazilian Supreme Court ruled that the Brazilian family of his deceased ex-wife must hand over custody of his 9-year-old son.
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Goldman is one step closer to being reunited with his 9-year-old son, Sean.
The court ruled that the boy "be handed over to his father and should be returned to the United States."
It is unclear, however, whether the court's ruling will end the five-year custody battle over Sean Goldman. His Brazilian family has threatened to appeal the court's ruling.
When the ruling is issued, "we will read it carefully and consider the legal remedies available, if needed," Sergio Tostes, a lawyer for the Brazilian family, said in an e-mailed statement while waiting for the court's ruling. "All necessary action will be taken."
The family could take the case to Brazil's top appeals court, but some have doubted whether that court would be willing to review the case if the Supreme Court backs a lower federal court ruling awarding custody to Goldman.
Rep. Chris Smith, R-NJ, who is traveling with Goldman said the father was "elated."
"A big smile came to his face, but he said 'I'm not going to let my guard down until it's wheels up," Smith told The Associated Press.
David Goldman, 42, has been in Brazil for more than a week as the marathon legal fight appeared headed for a climax. He was granted custody of the boy last week only to have a legal motion block his long sought reunion.
The father has said he hopes to spend Christmas with Sean back home in New Jersey.
The boy went to Brazil with his mother when he was 4, but the mother never returned to the U.S. She divorced Goldman and remarried, but died giving birth to a daughter she had with her second husband.
The mother's family assumed custody of Sean and has battled Goldman's claims for custody for the past five years.
The ruling came as the Brazilian grandmother of Sean Goldman wrote a passionate letter to the president of Brazil today pleading with him to intervene and prevent the boy from being taken away on the eve of Christmas.
In her open letter to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Silvana Bianchi wrote that Sean's mother had died.
"Our moral foundation values the mother's role. In the absence of the mother, the raising should be done by the grandmothers. This is custom in Brazil from north to south," she wrote, calling the custom "authentically Brazilian."
David Goldman Versus Grandmother
Bianchi claimed in her letter that she has become the "target of an international campaign of unbelievable proportions. American authorities give public declarations saying I am a kidnapper," she wrote.
The grandmother said all the legal arguments did not take into consideration what the boy wants.
"Mr. President, this is not a cry of a grandmother in agony. This is the clamor of a Brazilian fighting with all of the strength that she has left so the justice of this country would apply the laws with humanity," she said. Bianchi said sending Sean to New Jersey would tear him away from the family he has lived with for the past five years and from his 3-year-old little sister Chiara. "To do this, especially on Christmas Eve, is inhumane," she said.
The grandmother's letter isn't the first time the case has been brought up to the Brazilian president. It was raised during talks between him and President Obama. In addition, last week New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg blocked the renewal of a $2.75 billion trade deal that would lift tariffs on some Brazilian exports. But the hold was lifted and the bill passed after today's ruling by the Brazilian Supreme Court, the AP reported.
