Cheney indictments dismissed by judge

A judge in Texas has dismissed indictments against US Vice-President Dick Cheney and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

Administrative Judge Manuel Banales ruled that the indictments were improperly returned by a Willacy County grand jury.

The indictment against Mr Cheney alleged that his personal investment in the Vanguard Group, which invests in private prison companies, made him culpable in alleged prisoner abuse at privately run federal detention centres.

The judge also dismissed indictments against two district judges, two special prosecutors and the district clerk, saying the prosecutor was both the alleged victim and the person presenting the cases.