California IN BRIEF : OAKLAND : Officer Confesses to Killing Wife

Oakland Police Officer Keith Carlen confessed to killing his wife to end constant arguments over money, Capt. Jim Hahn said. Carol Ann Carlen, 46, was found strangled in the trunk of her car Tuesday morning. The word war had been painted on the car, prompting speculation that the murder was a declaration of war on police by drug dealers. The case broke when investigators asked Carlen, a 22-year police veteran, about paint samples found at the scene that matched those on his clothing. Carlen, 45, confessed when confronted with the evidence implicating him, and is being held in Alameda City Jail for arraignment next week. The city has had a record-setting 68 homicides this year.