Mavericks surfing contest window opens
HALF MOON BAY (AP) — The time window for the Mavericks big-wave surfing contest off the Northern California coast has officially opened.
Surfers and organizers on Friday planned an opening ceremony and paddle out at the break to mark the season's opening.
Each year, wave forecasters wait for the right combination of swell and weather between early November and the end of March.
When conditions are just right, the call goes out to 24 of the world's most daring big wave surfers, who get a day's notice to fly to the Half Moon Bay area to compete.
The big wave break off of Pillar Point is one of the world's most dangerous — legendary Hawaiian surfer Mark Foo died there in 1994, and in 2011 experienced waterman Sion Milosky died during a session.
2nd man accused of destroying SF bus arraigned
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A second man has pleaded not guilty to charges that he destroyed a transit bus during a violent post-World Series celebration in San Francisco.
An attorney for Nicholas Hudson entered the plea on his behalf in a San Francisco courtroom on Thursday. Hudson is facing felony charges of vandalism and willful tampering with a passenger transit vehicle.
The 19-year-old from Daly City remains in jail on $40,000 bail.
Hudson's arrest on Tuesday came about a week after 22-year-old Gregory Graniss was arrested in connection with the Oct. 29 bus attack. The attack occurred during celebrations following the Giants World Series victory over the Detroit Tigers.
The windows of the $700,000 bus were smashed before it was set on fire.
Graniss also has pleaded not guilty.
Police are still looking for more suspects.
Man tells jury t flip coin for his fate
MARTINEZ (AP) — The man convicted of killing two people at a San Francisco Bay area toll plaza says he doesn't care if he gets the death penalty or life in prison and has suggested jurors deciding his fate flip a coin.
Nathan Burris made the comments during a hearing on Thursday in the penalty phase of his trial.
The 49-year-old Burris was convicted earlier in the week of fatally shooting Deborah Ross and her friend, Ersie Everette III, at the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge toll plaza in 2009.
Prosecutors say Burris thought they were romantically involved. He had previously been in a relationship with Ross.
Burris represented himself during the trial, telling jurors he was guilty and urging them to convict him quickly so he could see "Monday Night Football" at the jailhouse.
Testimony in the penalty phase is set to resume Tuesday.
