// a href = ./ //

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Associated Press has learned that authorities are calling the death of Menard Correctional Center inmate Tuesday night "suspicious."

It is the third such death of a Menard inmate in less than two months.

Randolph County Coroner Randy Dudenbostel (DOO'-dihn-bahs-sul) told The Associated Press that the 35-year-old man was declared dead in his cell in the prison's segregation unit at 10:36 p.m. Tuesday. The man had a cellmate even though he was in a segregated cell.

Neither Dudenbostel nor Department of Corrections spokeswoman Stacey Solano (soh-LAH'-noh) would identify the man. Dudenbostel says an autopsy is scheduled for Thursday.

Solano says the prison was locked down Wednesday during an investigation.

Tuesday's inmate death is the third suspicious death at Menard since Jan. 31

A standoff with a suicidal man in Granite City ended peacefully this morning.

The police say the man barricaded himself in his home and told officers he had weapons and explosives. The situation started around 4 AM and officers took him into custody just before 11 AM. The man was taken to the hospital and a bomb squad searched the home for explosives.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Dozens of people are rallying at the Missouri Capitol for what a gay and lesbian group is promoting as "Equality Day."

The gathering in Jefferson City coincides with the second day of U.S. Supreme Court arguments focused on whether same-sex couples can marry and receive the legal rights and benefits associated with marriage.

Some rally participants in Missouri asserted that it is "immoral" to ban gay marriage, as is the case under the state constitution.

Rally participants also focused on bills that would prohibit discrimination or school bullying based on sexual orientation.

The event was coordinated by Promo, an organization that advocates for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality.

Several Democratic lawmakers attended the event.