Dedication held for site of Newark killings

(AP) - The transformation of the playground wherethree college-bound friends were slain last year is complete. Newark city officials and family members of the victims attended a dedication of the new Mount Vernon School playground onWednesday. The Trust for Public Land spearheaded the effort to transformthe playground from a cracked asphalt lot to a space that featuresan athletic field, running track, performance space and basketballcourts. Students from the school participated in the design. Dashon Harvey, Iofemi Hightower and Terrance Aeriel were slainat the playground in August 2007. A fourth victim was wounded butsurvived. Six suspects have been charged with murder and are awaitingtrial.