WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 04/25/03

[7-Murder-Suicide]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Suicide]

Henry County authorities are investgating an apparent murder-suicide. They say 69 year old Andrew J. Hall shot 49 year old Janice B. Hall and then turned the gun on himself sometime Monday afternoon. Both appeared to have died from single gunshot wounds to the head. Family members discovered the bodies yesterday afternoon inside the Hall home on Marigold Road.
Janice Hall had apparently been suffering from a medical condition for some time. The State Medical Examiners Office in Roanoke will conduct an autopsy.

[7-Blacksburg-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

Blacksburg firefighters rescued a man from his burning apartment last night. Rescuers responded to a call about a kitchen fire in building F of Hilltop Terrace around 9 o-clock. While controlling the blaze, firefighters entered the apartment and found 68 year old Maxwell R. Palmer Junior unconscious in a back bedroom. He was taken to Montgomery Regional Hospital where he is in stable condition. Palmer suffered first and second degree burns to his right hand a face as well as smoke inhalation. He's awaiting transfer to a Charlottsville Burn Center.

[7-11Madison-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-15 TC2:36:42]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Invest.]

Police returned to search the residence of the Arrington family six days after members of the family were murdered in their Roanoke home.
The warrant they filed in circuit court provides new details about the investigation.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/April 4]

When they returned to Madison Avenue on April 10th, the warrant indicates investigators were looking for hidden compartments, that suspect Clinton Brathwaite might have used to conceal drugs and guns.
According to the search warrant, confidential informants told police that Brathwaite was "running guns to New York." One informant said Brathwaite had been storing handguns in a closet inside the home.
That information, along with Brathwaite's criminal history lead investigators to believe the suspect was trafficking in drugs and handguns.
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[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

An inventory from the search indicates that police seized just two items, a small piece of black plastic and a camera.

[7-11Blimp]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=03-19 TC01:01]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The Met Life blimp spent yesterday hovering over Roanoke, and will be in Central and Southwest Virginia today.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

The blimp spent some time over the Roanoke Valley as part of a promotion with the local Met Life office and an area radio station.
Snoopy One is moored at the Falwell Airport in Lynchburg and, weather-permitting, will spend some time over the Hill City and Danville today.
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[45-Murder-Suicide]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Suicide]

A man apparently shot his wife, then turned the gun on himself in Henry County. Authorities say 69 year old Andrew J. Hall shot 49 year old Janice B. Hall and then shot himself sometime Monday afternoon. Both appeared to have died from single gunshot wounds to the head. Family members discovered the bodies yesterday afternoon inside the Hall home on Marigold Road.
Janice Hall had apparently been suffering from a medical condition for some time. The State Medical Examiners Office in Roanoke will conduct an autopsy.

[45-11Watkins]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-05 TC1:51:46]
[GRAPHIC=William Watkins]
A South Boston airman died fighting for a country he loved, and in a war he believed in.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=203-Danville;]

That's how family members are remembering Major William Watkins the Third.
Watkins was confirmed dead on Wednesday.
His F-15 went down during a bombing mission in Iraq two weeks ago.
He would have returned home with members of his unit last week.
In e-mails to his family, he reassured them he was safe and happy.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:38:38]
[IN Q=His spirits were]
((BARKSDALE WATKINS/BROTHER: HIS SPIRITS WERE GOOD. HE WAS MORE WORRIED ABOUT THE GUYS ON THE GROUND. WE'RE SAFE IN THE AIR. IT'S THE GUYS ON THE GROUND THAT YOU SHOULD SAVE YOUR PRAYERS FOR.))
[SUPER=201-Barksdale Watkins/Brother;]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=your prayers for.]
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[VO-NAT]

Watkins and his wife have an 11-month old son.
They were expecting their second child in August.
Relatives say they'll make sure the children know their father.
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[NEWSCAST=kim]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

Watkins funeral arrangements are still being made.
He wanted to be buried at home in South Boston.

[45-11Inge]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-08 TC1:21:13]
[GRAPHIC=Roy Inge]
Yesterday, a Pittsylvania County judge spared convicted killer Roy Inge Junior from the death penalty. Instead, he decided Inge should spend life in prison without parole.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chatham]

Inge was convicted in February of killing Deputy Frankie Betterton during a traffic stop last May.
The jury gave Inge the death penalty, but Judge William Alexander reduced that sentence to life.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:30:32]
[IN Q=It's unfortunate]
((HAROLD PLASTER/PITTSYLVANIA CO. SHERIFF: WE BELIEVE IN OUR SYSTEM IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT IT EVEN HAPPENED IN THE BEGINNING TO LOSE A LIFE OVER NOTHING, BASICALLY. I'M SURE THAT WITH THE LIFE WITH NO PAROLE THAT HE'LL HAVE MANY DAYS TO THINK ABOUT WHAT HE DID AND MAYBE WILL END UP HAVING SOME REMORSE.))
[SUPER=01-Harold Plaster/Pittsylvania Co. Sheriff;]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=having some remorse.]
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[VO-NAT]

Inge's attorneys had argued their client suffers from schizophrenia and delusions.
Judge Alexander did "not" give a reason for his decision.
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[8-Murder-Suicide]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Suicide]

An apparent murder- suicide happened early this week in Henry County. Authorities say 69 year old Andrew J. Hall shot 49 year old Janice B. Hall and then turned the gun on himself sometime Monday afternoon. Both appeared to have died from single gunshot wounds to the head. Family members discovered the bodies yesterday afternoon inside the Hall home on Marigold Road.
Janice Hall had apparently been suffering from a medical condition for some time. The State Medical Examiners Office in Roanoke will conduct an autopsy.

[8-11Film-Festival]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The Blue Ridge Southwest Virginia Vision Film Festival is now lighting up the big screen in Roanoke.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

This is the first year for the festival and it kicked off last night with a reception at the Clarion Hotel.
The event is designed to showcase directors and producers from Virginia or movies that were actually shot in the area.
More than twenty five films will be shown and organizers hope the festival will attract more than a thousand people.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:45:20]
[IN Q=What would like to]
((SANDRA EUBANK/CHAIRWOMAN: WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO DO IS EVENTUALLY WE HOPE THIS FESTIVAL WILL GROW AND MATURE LIKE THE STATE VIRGINIA FILM FESTIVAL WHICH BOASTS OF 30 TO 35-THOUSAND PEOPLE EACH YEAR, JUST THINK WHAT AN IMPACT ECONOMICALLY THAT IT WOULD BE TO THIS AREA IF WE COULD BRING THAT MANY PEOPLE INTO THE ROANOKE VALLEY, IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR EVERYONE.))
[SUPER=01-Sandra Eubank/Chairwoman]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=good for everyone]
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[VO-NAT]

This year's special guest star is Patricia Neal who many of you will remember from her role in the movie "The Homecoming" which launched the TV series the "Waltons"
She will be showcasing her latest film and will be honored with a lifetime achievement award on Saturday.
Keith Humphry talked to her and will have more from her tonight on News 7 at six.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[WIPE TO FULL SCREEN PHONE #]

As for a list of the movies, the schedule, and locations for the festival, you should call their hotline at 562-1713.
You can either buy a two day pass or purchase tickets for an indvidual event.
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[ANCHOR=KIM]
[SS=none]

The event ends Saturday with a gala at the Clarion Hotel. There, awards will be given out for Best Picture, Directo r, and screenplay.