Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Twins pulled courtroom switcheroo CLEARWATER, Fla., May 5 (UPI) -- A Florida man was sentenced to 179 days in jail for impersonating his identical twin brother at a criminal trial. Advertisement Assistant State Attorney Evan Brodsky said Matthew Mauceri, 40, was due in a Pinellas County courtroom at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday and asked his twin, Marcus, to stand in for him when it appeared he was going to be late in flying to Florida from Indiana, the Tampa (Fla.) Tribune reported Wednesday. Matthew Mauceri was arrested in 2007 and charged with scheme to defraud for allegedly failing to pay for about $160,000 worth of transmission parts from an Ohio firm. He was freed on $100,000 bail. Prosecutors said Marcus arrived at the courtroom and repeatedly identified himself as Matthew, even when defense attorney Jimmy Thomas became suspicious and the judge asked to take his fingerprints. The fingerprints positively identified the man as Marcus and he admitted to impersonating his brother. Advertisement Judge Joseph Bulone found Marcus Mauceri in contempt of court and sentenced him to 179 days in jail. Matthew Mauceri arrived at the courthouse at about noon and was jailed on a charge of failing to appear for trial. Both men were taken to the Pinellas County Jail. Pa. Liquor Control Board: Give mom vodka HARRISBURG, Pa., May 5 (UPI) -- The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board's latest radio advertisement is urging the state's residents to get mom what she really wants for Mother's Day: vodka. The agency's ad, which joins a previous ad promoting wine as a Mother's Day gift, informs Pennsylvanians that vodka is available at affordable prices in several flavors, including cherry, strawberry kiwi and tropical punch, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Wednesday. "Treat her to the perfect Mother's Day cocktail this year," a voice says during the ad. "Try a Mother's Kiss mixed drink, made with equal parts ... strawberry kiwi vodka and lemonade." Officials described the ad as harmless. "The intention is to enhance an already wonderful celebration," board spokeswoman Stacey Witalec said. "And that is what this ad does. It celebrates motherhood." However, some objected to the state promoting alcohol consumption. "Are they out of their mind?" asked Harrisburg activist Eric Epstein, founder of RockTheCapital.org. "The state shouldn't be promoting alcohol consumption. The timing of this PR campaign is dangerous and disappointing ... and sends the wrong signal to teenagers during prom season." Advertisement Croc evades capture in Ontario HAMILTON, Ontario, May 5 (UPI) -- Animal experts in Ontario said they were unable to find a small alligator or crocodile photographed in a public park. Bry Loyst, curator of the Indian River Reptile Zoo near Peterborough, said he searched the shallow pond in Hamilton's Confederation Park for several hours during the day and night Tuesday, but he was unable to find any trace of the reptile photographed Monday by local resident Tom Badeau, the Hamilton Spectator reported Wednesday. Loyst said the pond leads into Red Hill Creek, ends at the Windermere Basin and feeds into Lake Ontario. He said the small reptile, which he believes to be an alligator or crocodile, has left the area. He said the animal was likely a pet released by its owner when it became too large. Conservation authority assistant ecologist Lisa Jennings said release of exotic species into non-native environments is common among pet owners who do not know how to properly care for the animals. "Education is No. 1 when it comes to owning exotic species," she said. "Take it too a zoo, the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), where you purchased it." Advertisement Judge jails woman for racy T-shirt WAUKEGAN, Ill., May 5 (UPI) -- An Illinois woman was jailed for contempt of court for wearing a T-shirt bearing a message found to be offensive by the judge. Jennifer LaPenta, 19, who was attending a hearing in a friend's case Monday, was found in contempt by Associate Judge Helen Rozenberg for wearing a T-shirt bearing a crude euphemism for the female sex organ, the Waukegan (Ill.) News-Sun reported Wednesday. LaPenta said she thought the T-shirt would only be inappropriate if she had been the defendant in the case. However, she was jailed overnight and released Tuesday from the Lake County Jail. "They should be out looking for people who are breaking the law, not arresting someone wearing a T-shirt," LaPenta said.
