The Vermont Supreme Court has rejected the appeal of a slain 12-year-old girl's father, who claimed the ex-wife of the suspect was negligent in his daughter's death and that her insurance company should pay damages.

Reporter Andy Bromage of Seven Days explains the rulings and the next steps in the criminal trial of Michael Jacques, the Randolph man accused of kidnapping, assaulting and murdering his 12-year-old niece.

A federal judge says prosecutors may continue to pursue the death penalty against a convicted sex offender charged with luring his 12-year-old niece to his Vermont home with the promise of a pool party before molesting and strangling her.

A key part of the case against a Randolph murder suspect is under attack by his lawyers.

Federal prosecutors say they'll seek the death penalty for a man charged in the 2008 slaying of 12-year-old Brooke Bennett.

People in the Randolph area say last year's disappearance and death of 12-year-old Brooke Bennett changed people in the community forever.

Eight months after the death of 12-year-old Brooke Bennett, Vermont's governor signed into law a bill aimed at improving the state's prosecution of sex crimes.

Legislative committees would be given power to subpoena witnesses under a bill approved by the state Senate. Under current law, the only way committees can force a witness to testify is if the full Legislature approves a subpoena.

A bill designed to crack down on sex crimes against children is expected to be up for debate in the Vermont Senate soon - possibly by next week.

Vermont State Police officials say a mass e-mail that was supposed to go a large number of recipients did not work as planned.

A man accused of kidnapping and killing his niece will enter a plea of not guilty Wednesday in federal court.

The man accused of kidnapping and killing Brooke Bennett, is due in court Wednesday to face new charges filed last week.

A federal grand jury has indicted the uncle of slain 12-year-old Brooke Bennett, saying he drugged, sexually assaulted and smothered her with a plastic bag this summer.

UVM is swept up in financial crisis; Bernie Sanders likely to vote "No' on financial rescue plan; Experts recommend reining in credit card debt; Grand jury indicts uncle of Brooke Bennett; Vermont State Hospital denied re-certification; and remembering poet Hayden Carruth.

The Vermont man accused of kidnapping 12-year-old Brooke Bennett has waived a preliminary hearing at which an FBI agent was expected to testify.

Two out-of-state lawyers have joined the defense team of Michael Jacques, in anticipation that federal prosecutors will seek the death penalty against the man accused of kidnapping 12-year-old Brooke Bennett.

Some Vermont prosecutors say there are more effective ways to crack down on sex offenders than imposing longer mandatory minimum sentences.

The man accused of abducting 12-year-old Brooke Bennett of Braintree is scheduled appear in court this week.

Here are the top stories at 7:30 a.m.: This year's gubernatorial candidates have taken very different approaches to releasing their financial data;  The probation officer who supervised the man accused of abducting 12-year-old Brooke Bennett says he felt compelled to recommend the release of Michael Jacques from probation on an earlier conviction;  Young baseball players from New Hampshire and Vermont leave today for Cuba...

The probation officer who supervised the man accused of abducting 12-year-old Brooke Bennett says he felt compelled to recommend the release of Michael Jacques from probation on an earlier conviction.