Milestones

ORDERED

By a Pennsylvania judge, that TV star Bill Cosby stand trial for sexual-assault charges brought by Andrea Constand, a former Temple University employee who claims he drugged and sexually violated her in 2004. The comedian says the activity was consensual and has denied similar allegations by dozens of other women. Cosby’s lawyers tried to have the case thrown out, but the judge said prosecutors had enough evidence for a trial to proceed. If convicted, Cosby could face up to 10 years in prison.

ANNOUNCED

By U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, that the Justice Department will seek the death penalty in the case of Dylann S. Roof, who is accused of fatally shooting nine people last year at Mother Emanuel church in Charleston, S.C., during a racially motivated attack.

RELEASED

From a Russian jail, Ukrainian military pilot Nadiya “Joan of Arc” Savchenko, in exchange for two Russian prisoners captured in eastern Ukraine. The move could help ease tensions in the region, said Russian President Vladimir Putin, who pardoned her on the basis of “humanitarian considerations.”

DIED

John Berry, 52, guitarist and founding member of hip-hop group the Beastie Boys. He and Michael “Mike D” Diamond, Adam “MCA” Yauch and Kate Schellenbach formed the band in 1981 out of his Manhattan home. Berry, who named the band, performed on the quartet’s first EP, Polly Wog Stew, before leaving in 1982 to be replaced by Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz.