November 24, 2004

Police charge Tahija Handberry and Wesley White of Asbury Park, NJ, with manslaughter and child neglect in starvation death of their 14-month-old son, Jmeir White; he had been seen by pediatrician, visiting nurse and caseworker in months leading up to his death in Aug; case again raises questions about New Jersey's system for protecting its poorest children; Handberry, dwarf who is legally blind, told caseworker that her son's small size was due to fact that he too was dwarf; photos (M)

Julie Stinneford provides voice for Amtrak's computerized answering system; it has earned high marks from callers since its debut in April 2001; many riders say system sounds and acts so lifelike that they did not realize it was just computer program; system, by handling about five million calls, or about quarter of Amtrak's annual call volume, has saved railroad over $13 million; photo of Stinneford and Yahoo's computerized voice, Deborah Ben-Eliezer (M)

Ben Brantley reviews Manhattan Theater Club production of John Patrick Shanley play Doubt, a Parable, directed by Doug Hughes and starring Heather Goldenhersh, Cherry Jones and Brian F O'Byrne; photo (M)

European Court of First Instance Judge Bo Vesterdorf calls meeting of all parties involved in Microsoft antitrust case in Luxembourg; Vesterdorf reportedly wants to discuss situation in light of withdrawal of Novell and Computer and Communications Industry Assn from trial (M)

Selena Roberts Sports of The Times column discusses South Carolina University's appointment of Steve Spurrier as football coach and football program's decision not to participate in bowl game after brawl at end of game involving South Carolina and Clemson University players; contends that timing of two events is ironic considering that Spurrier is known for behaving in unsportsmanlike way at times; photos (M)