WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 02/13/03

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[VO-NAT]

There's a verdict in the so- called "Mercedes murder" case in Houston.
We'll have a live report.
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[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]

And, although a judge has dropped the charges against a double murder suspect, a Pittsylvania county prosecutor plans to move forward with the case.
[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=LEO]
[SS=None]
A sunny and breezy day across the region is our calm before the winter storm. What will the storm bring I'll let you know in your forecast.
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[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY 2-Shot]

News 7 at Noon starts right now...
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[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]
[SUPER=@Leo1;]

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
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[VO-NAT]

Was it murder or an accident when Clara Harris ran over her husband witha Mercedes?
On just the second day of deliberations, the Houston dentist heard the jury's decision.
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[Husband-Killed]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Good Afternoon, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
A Houston jury has found Clara Harris guilty of murder.
Harris ran him over with her car in a hotel parking lot last summer, after finding him with another woman.
The 45- year- old dentist had said the killing was an accident.
But witnesses say she ran him over multiple times.
Harris herself showed no emotion as the verdict was being read, but two of the jurors began crying.
She now faces up to life in prison when she's sentenced.
Elizabeth Sanchez has been covering the trial in Houston, and joins us now with more on today's verdict.
[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=01-Elizabeth Sanchez/CBS News;]
[SUPER=05-Houston, TX;]

((ROLLCUE:...))
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Houston, TX;]
[SUPER=01-George Parnham/Defense Attorney;]
[SUPER=01-Mia Magness/Prosecutor;]
[SUPER=05-Houston, TX;]
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[OUT Q=back to you.]
((
PKGE:
IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG FOR THE JURY OF NINE WOMEN AND THREE MEN..TO REACH A VERDICT IN THE CLARA HARRIS MURDER TRIAL.

NAT SOT...judge reads guilty verdict.

During closing arguments, Harris attorney said his client loved her successful Orthodontist husband, so much so she desperately tried to keep him. She changed her hair color, worked out and was planning cosmetic surgery.

SOT: George Parnham/Defense Attorney
HES HAPPY, SHES MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE LIPOSUCTION AUGUST THE 4TH. 32
The defense says the it was all an accident....but the jury didn't buy it.
They argreed with the state..who said Harris deliberately ran over her husband...again and again when she found him at a hotel with his mistress. A video by a private investigator even caught it on tape. And Prosecutors lashed back at the defenses suggestion that the 44 year old Dentist deserved to die because he was cheating on his wife.

SOT: MIA MAGNESS/DEFENSE ATTORNEY
FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE IF THE MAN WAS CHEATING, DO WHAT EVERY OTHER WOMAN IN THIS COUNTY DOES, TAKE HIM TO THE CLEANERS, TAKE HIS HOUSE, HIS CAR, HIS KIDS, TAKE HIS RESPECT TIN THE COMMUNITY AND MAKE HIM WISH HE WERE DEAD, BUT YOU DON'T GE TO KILL HIM. ))

[Harston-Case]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The Pittsylvania County Commonwealth's Attorney is vowing to move forward on a double murder case despite the fact that a judge dropped charges against the suspect. [*****Take Generette Pinnacle FULL***] 27-year old James Antonio Generette was arrested in Durham in November.
He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Willie and Clara Belle Harston (HARR'-stun).
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[VO-NAT :32]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co./November 14]
The elderly couple was found beaten to death in their Blairs home on November 13th. Generette said he was visiting a neighbor, Carlot (car lot) Brown, at the time of the murders. Brown, who was named as an accessory after the fact, invoked her fifth amendment right and refused to testify.
That prompted Pittsylvania County Judge George Jones to dismiss the case for lack of evidence. Charges against Brown were also dropped. Commonwealth's Attorney David Grimes says the "case is not over," and that his office will pursue it "every way" it can.
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[Pulley]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-47 TC1:52:34]
[GRAPHIC=Patty Jo Pulley]

A former associate pastor of a Pittsylvania County church is scheduled to appear for a bond hearing today.
It comes one day after he was charged with the disappearance and murder of his wife.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Yanceyville, NC]

Eugene Ricky Pulley was arrested in Lebanon, Virginia Tuesday night and was extradited to Caswell County, North Carolina yesterday afternoon.
Pulley's charged with killing his 37-year-old wife, Patty Jo Pulley who disappeared in May of 1999.
Her body was found under a Caswell County bridge in December.
It was a discovery that apparently helped bring about Pulley's arrest.
He has reportedly been working as an outreach minister for Lighthouse Ministries in Lebanon.
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[VOB-Church-React]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=03-01 TC 29:30]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
Many of their friends in the Pittsylvania County area are praying for closure in the case.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.;]
Rick and Patty Jo Pulley attended service at the River of Life Church in Ringgold, along with approximately 50- other families. Rick was an associate pastor and youth leader, and also did mission work at the church. And, according to the pastor, Patty Jo was equally active and musically gifted.
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[SOT 00:09:41]
[IN Q=No one would ]
[SUPER=01-Randy Sudduth/River of Life Church Pastor; :00]
((NO ONE WOULD WANT A FRIEND, ARRESTED OR ACCUSED OF KILLING ANOTHER FRIEND AND THESE PEOPLE WERE BOTH OUR FRIENDS, AND SO DIFFICULT IS NOT MAYBE A STRONG ENOUGH WORD.))
[RUNS=15 approx.]
[OUT Q=strong enough word. ]
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[VO-NAT]
The pastor says he won't allow himself to speculate over whether Pulley could have killed Patty Jo. He's also encouraging his congregation not to cast judgment, but to allow the court system to make that decision.
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[Missing-Woman]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

This is the week that should have been a joyous one for Laci Peterson and her family.
The California woman was supposed to give birth, her due date was Monday.
Instead, Peterson remains missing.
Hattie Kauffman reports.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Sharon Rocha/Laci's Mother; :05]
[SUPER=01-Brent Rocha/Laci's Brother; :16]
[SUPER=01-Hattie Kauffman/CBS News; :27]
[SUPER=01-Ron Grantski/Laci's Stepfather; :38]
[SUPER=01-Amy Rocha/Laci's Sister; 1:08]
[RUNS=1:27]
[OUT Q=Kauffman, CBS News, Modesto, CA.]
(( SCRIPT
( track ) Laci Peterson has been missing for close to two months.. but her family is still holding out hope.
SUPER: SHARON ROCHA, LACI'S MOTHER " SHE;S OUT THERE SOMEPLACE..SOMEBODY KNOWS WHERE SHE IS..WE JUST PRAY TO GOD SOMEONE TELLS US WHERE SHE IS, WE NEED TO GET HER BACK IN OUR LIFE."

( Track ) And while Laci's family refuses to say whether they think her
husband Scott is to blame for Laci's disappearance..they question his behavior especially after his affair with another woman became public.
SUPER: BRENT ROCHA, LACI'S BROTHER he's made no effort to contact me or other people in my family not to really sit down and talk like we should be doing under these circumstances.
SUPER: HATTIE KAUFFMAN, CBS NEWS (STANDUP ) LACI'S FAMILY COMPLAINS THAT SCOTT HAS SPENT HARDLY ANY TIME HERE AT THE COUPLES HOME SINCE THE DISAPPEARNCE INSTEAD TRAVELING TO MEXICO ON BUSINESS OR SPENDING TIME WITH HIS FAMILY IN SAN DIEGO.
RON GRANTSKI, LACI'S STEPFATHER SO I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY HE FEELS HE'S DOING HIS JOB IN SAN DIEGO OR MEXICO. WE'RE DOING OUR JOB HERE WHERE SHE CAME UP MISSING.

( Brent)" HE'S NOT BEHAVING LIKE A MAN WHO IS MISSING HIS WIFE..

( track ) The family dug into their photo album for these pictures of
Laci.

hattie- question THESE AREN'T JUST PICTURES OF A MISSING PREGNANT WOMAN THIS IS LACI AS A LITTLE GIRL. .
mOM SHE'S SMILING IN ALL THE PICTURES.. SHES JUST A HAPPY PERSON.
SUPER: AMY ROCHA, LACI'S SISTER WE WERE SO EXCITED FOR HER SHE WAS SO EXCITED TO HAVE A BABY..THIS WAS SUCH A HAPPY TIME IN ALL OUR LIVES SO FOR THIS TO HAPPEN TO HER IT'S NOT FAIR.
H.K. CBS News, Modesto calif. ))
[Tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Coming up next on the newscast, one of the region's longest serving lawmakers is calling it quits.
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[VO-NAT ]
Plus a new contract with a Roanoke plant can help the military see the light at the end of the tunnel.
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[music up full] [comm1]

[Thomas]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=12]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-54 1:16:19]
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Roanoke Delegate Vic Thomas is telling friends he's ready to retire from the General Assembly. But leading Democrats still hope to persuade him to run again.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-October 1995;]

Thomas has represented Roanoke in the House of Delegates since 1974.
He recently closed the E.J. Thomas Market in Roanoke, and announced he will no longer host an annual dinner in Richmond, but friends note he has threatened to step down before.
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[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=None]

According to one associate, Thomas has "told people he rather be fishing, but that's not the same as telling them he plans to retire."

[ITT]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=12pm]
[WRITER=cpa]
[TAPE#=Net]
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I-T-T Night Vision of Roanoke and the United States Army are teaming up once again.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

The U.S. Army has awarded I-T-T a contract worth nearly 15 million dollars.
I-T-T will be responsible for Helmet Mount Assemblies used with the company's night vision equipment.
The company and the U.S. Army have made agreements similar to this in the past, most recently in May of last year.

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[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=]

There is just one more day to go before weapons inspectors deliver another report to the United Nations Security Council.
Aleen Sirgany has more on the stand-off with Saddam Hussein.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Tony Blair/British Prime Minister;]
[SUPER=01-Tariq Aziz/Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister;]
[SUPER=01-Aleen Sirgany/CBS News;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Sirgany, CBS News, Washington.]
((
IT COULD LEAD TO A TOUGH ASSESMENT FROM U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS ON IRAQ'S DISARMAMENT EFFORTS: A TEAM OF EXPERTS HAS CONCLUDED IRAQ HAS MISSILES THAT CAN TRAVEL BEYOND THE 93 MILE LIMIT ALLOWED UNDER U.N RESOLUTIONS.

(SOT) TONY BLAIR/BRITISH PRIME MINISTER If this reports are correct, it
will be a breach of 1441.
IRAQ DENIES IT. IRAQI PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ, IN ITALY TO DRUM UP SUPPORT AGAINST A POSSIBLE ATTACK, MAINTAINS HIS COUNTRYS MISSILE PROGRAM IS WITHIN THE LIMIT ALLOWED UNDER THE U.N.
TARIQ AZIZ/IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER. It should not be exaggerated. We are still within the limits that have been decided by the United Nations.
A DAY BEFORE TOP WEAPONS INSPECTORS REPORT ON THE MISSILES AND OTHER FINDINGS TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL, NATO REMAINS IN A DEADLOCK AS THREE COUNTRIES CONTINUE TO BLOCK PLANS TO HELP TURKEY IN THE EVENT OF WAR.

(NAT)SCHROEDER

THE HEAD OF ONE OF THOSE COUNTRIES, GERMAN CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER, ARGUES THERE'S NO NEED TO RUSH TO WAR, AS THERE'S STILL HOPE FOR A PEACEFUL SOLUTION.

(STANDUP)
THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION SAYS ITS STILL HOPEFUL THE SECURITY COUNCIL WILL PASS A NEW RESOLUTION TOMORROW AUTHORIZING MILITARY ACTION. BUT PRESIDENT BUSH WARNS THE U.S WILL ACT ALONE IF NEED BE.
))

[North-Korea]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Meanwhile, there are growing fears about threats from another country, North Korea.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

That country is warning that its missiles can strike any U-S targets in the world.
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is the former U-S ambassador to the United Nations.
He recently met with the North Korean envoy to the U-N.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=We have the leverage with]
((GOV. BILL RICHARDSON/D- NEW MEXICO:WE HAVE THE LEVERAGE WITH NORTH KOREA TO INTERVENE. AND MY HOPE AND I THINK SECRETARY POWELL IS HANDLING THIS WELL. BUT MY HOPE IS THAT THE NEXT STEP IS DIRECT, DIRECT TALKS WITH NORTH KOREA. ))
[SUPER=01-Gov. Bill Richardson/(D) New Mexico;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=talks with North Korea.]

[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Other U-S officials are re- iterating the importance of talks, and say that sanctions aren't an option right now.

They say the Bush administration wants to find a diplomatic solution to the nuclear showdown with North Korea.
[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Coming up next on the newscast, there's some bad news on the economy.
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[VO-NAT ]
Also, we will see how Harry Winston is putting a special sparkle in the eyes of the Academy Award nominees.
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[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]

[Retail-Sales]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A worse- than- expected drop in retail sales.
The government says retail sales dropped nine-tenths of a percent last month.
That's worse than what was forecast.
Dropping auto sales are largely to blame, as consumers took a breather after going on a car-buying spree the month before.

[Oscar-Diamonds]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The only things that can out-shine the stars on the red carpet are the diamonds around their necks.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Beverly Hills, CA;]

The house of Harry Winston hosted the 75th anniversary celebration of the Oscar diamond.
Several new sparkling pieces were unveiled yesterday from the 75-million-dollar Academy Awards collection.
Supermodel Carolyn Murphy helped blow out the diamond-studded candles on the anniversary cake.
Harry Winston jewels have been worn by more Oscar winners and nominees than those of any other designer.
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[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=stocks]

On Wall Street at Noon, the DOW was DOWN 85 points. The NASDAQ has dropped 10.

[super=460-y/85/y/10;]

[tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Coming up in sports...the girls' basketball season is almost over, but several local teams are promising more excitement before it's done.
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[VO-NAT ]
and NASCAR promises a double dose of thrills today as the TWIN 125's get underway in Daytona.
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[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]

[S-Twins]

[ANCHOR=kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-134 TC5453]
[GRAPHIC=Daytona]

The field for this year's Daytona 500 will be set this afternoon in the Twin 125- mile qualifying races. Travis Wells has a preview of what's often the most exciting day in racing.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Daytona, FL; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ricky Rudd/Motorcraft Ford Driver; :27]
[SUPER=01-Ward Burton/Defending Daytona 500 Champion; :47]
[SUPER=01-Sterling Marlin/Coors Light Dodge Driver; :57]
[SUPER=@travis1; 1:12]
[SUPER=01-Elliott Sadler/M&M's Ford Driver; 1:26]
[SUPER=01-Jamie McMurray/Havoline Dodge Driver; 1:40]
[RUNS=1:50]
[OUT Q=News 7 Sports."]
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[S-Hoops]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-147]
[GRAPHIC=Sports]

As the high school basketball season begins to wind down, teams are turning their attention to the district tournaments.
Steve Mason has more.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=@Steve1; :00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :15(quick!!!!!)]
[SUPER=03-Durham, NC; :20(quick!!!!!)]
[SUPER=01-Tavia Clemendor/G. W. Danville Forward; :25]
[SUPER=01-Kurtise Wilkes/G. W. Danville Freshman Point Guard; :40]
[SUPER=01-Wayne Shelton/G. W. Danville Girl's Basketball Coach; :57]
[SUPER=01-Keshia Venable/G. W. Danville Senior Team Captain; 1:07]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=.....hometown hoops weekly"]
(---------------)
((STEVE MASON:THE LADY EAGLES ARE 19 AND 1 AND CAN COMPLETE A PERFECT 8 AND OH REGULAR SEASON WESTERN VALLEY DISTRICT SEASON WITH A WIN OVER HALIFAX FRIDAY. THE DEFENDING DISTRICT TOURNAMENT CHAMPS ATTRIBUTE A TRIP TO DUKE UNIVERSITY EARLIER THIS YEAR FOR PART OF THEIR SUCCESS. ))
((A players birthday inspired Eagles coach Wayne Shelton to take the team to a Duke women's basketball game at Cameron Indoor Stadium earlier this season ((:)) ((:)) Duke has already shown interest in Kurtise Wilkes, the Eagles, freshman point guard. ((:))
The Eagles allow teams to score in the mid 40's each game and G.W's balanced offense possesses 4 double figure scorers. ((:)) ((:))
The eagles only loss so far this season came at the hands of Hillside, a defending North Carolina State champion. District tournament play begins next week. Steve Mason Hometown Hoops Weekly.))

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