A Break for Hunt

A state judge has ordered a time-out in the bitter brawl between Alabama Republican Governor Guy Hunt and Democratic state attorney general Jimmy Evans. Judge Randall Thomas dropped a dozen theft charges against Hunt for allegedly diverting $200,000 in inaugural and campaign funds to his personal use in the late 1980s, ruling that the indictment came after a three-year state statute of limitations had run out. One ethics charge -- punishable by up to $10,000 and 10 years behind bars -- did beat the clock. On that one count, said the judge, Evans can proceed.