WDBJ 7 morning news for 07/01/04

[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Saddam Hussein]

Now in Iraqi legal custody, Saddam Hussein and 11 top members of his former regime accused of torturing and killing thousands of their own people will appear before an Iraqi judge.
They'll hear a reading of charges that'll likely include genocide and crimes against humanity.
Iraq's national security adviser says Saddam's trial will be the "trial of the century."
Brian Andrews joins us now from Washington with the latest.
[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=01-Brian Andrews/CBS News;]
[SUPER=05-Washington, DC;]

((ROLLED FROM NEWSPATH))
[ENG#=1 - as backup]
(///// SOT /////)

[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]
[SUPER=01-Mohammed Said/Attorney and Survivor;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=back to you.]
(( NO LONGER THE COUNTRY'S LEADER.. OR A PRISONER OF WAR.. SADDAM HUSSEIN WILL STAND AS A CRIMINAL SUSPECT IN AN IRAQI COURTROOM. THE FORMER DICTATOR WILL HEAR THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM- WAR CRIMES, GENOCIDE, CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY- STEMMING FROM MURDER AND TORTURE UNDER HIS 24 YEARS OF TYRANNICAL RULE. ALSO APPEARING BEFORE THE JUDGE.. ELEVEN OF SADDAM'S FORMER HENCHMEN.. INCLUDING FORMER DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ.. AND ALI HASAN AL-MAJID- KNOWN AS CHEMICAL ALI FOR USING GAS TO MASSACRE THE KURDS IN NORTHERN IRAQ. (NAT-QUICK) THESE GRAVESTONES REPRESENT FIVE-THOUSAND PEOPLE PROSECUTOR'S SAY SADDAM'S ARMY AN AIR FORCE KILLED IN THE 19-88 CHEMICAL WEAPONS ATTACK. (MOHAMMED SAID, LAWYER & SURVIVOR I
N HALABJA) SURVIVOR SOT: "he's a criminal. he's a big criminal."

THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF SURVIVORS READY TO TESTIFY AGAINST SADDAM.. BUT FIRST LAWYERS MUST SIFT THROUGH 30 TONS OF EVIDENCE AND DON'T EXPECT A TRIAL TO GET UNDERWAY UNTIL SOMETIME NEXT YEAR. IRAQ'S NEW PRESIDENT SAID THE INTERIM GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO REINSTATE THE DEATH PENALTY SUSPENDED DURING THE U-S OCCUPATION. MANY IRAQI'S REJOICED IN THE STREETS WHEN SADDAM'S REGIME FELL AND ACCORDING TO A NATIONWIDE POLL TAKEN BACK IN MAY.. 61 PERCENT SAID SADDAM SHOULD FACE THE DEATH IF FOUND GUILTY. STAND-UP CLOSE: AFTER THEIR ARRAIGNMENTS TODAY ALL 12 PRISONERS GO BACK UNDER U-S LOCK AND KEY. AMERICAN TROOPS WILL CONTINUE TO GUARD IRAQ'S MOST NOTORIOUS CRIMINAL SUSPECTS FOR SECURITY REASONS.))
[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=05-Washington, DC;]

[AMC'burg-Shooting]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=04-24 22:21]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
[ENG#=2]
One of two teenagers charged with the shooting death of a Christiansburg boy has a preliminary hearing scheduled for today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg/June 8;]
14 year old Mandi Carlson is charged with voluntary manslaughter, for the death of Edward Bertrand last month. Bertrand was shot in the stomach in the garage of Carlson's Christiansburg home.
He was 15 years old. The hearing for the second defendant, 17 year old Zachary Linkous, has been postponed.
(------------)

[Edwards-Trial]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=mornin']
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=04-12 1:53:33]
[GRAPHIC=Verdict - Legal Scales]
[ENG#=3]
A Roanoke man will spend life plus 28-years in prison for the December murder of his ex-girlfriend. Last night, just after 10 o'clock the jury handed down their decision. Susan Bahorich followed the trial and has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We find...]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-David Walker/Defense Attorney; :26]
[SUPER=01-Charlene Arrington/Edwards' Friend; :50]
[SUPER=01-Seth Weston/Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney; 1:20]
[SUPER=@SUSAN1; 1:35]
[RUNS=1:47]
[OUT Q=SB, News 7, Roanoke.]
(( [NATS@8:44:40:11] ((WE FIND THE DEFENDENT KHALIF FREEN ABDUL MATEEN GUILTY OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER.)) It took the jury two-hours to find 27-year-old Khalif Freed Abdul Mateen guilty of the December murder of Neesha Edwards. It was a decision that brought some jurors to tears and had Mateen- or Carl Richardson as he's also known- bow his head. ((DAVID WALKER, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: ABOUT HOW HE'S DISAPPOINTED....)) But on the other side of the aisle.. family and friends of Neesha Edwards were relieved and say she can finally rest in peace. (( charlene arrington- she was great person.. .))
[OUTQ=justice was served here today.]
The jury also found Mateen guilty on the malicious wounding of "Mike" Webb was also shot that night and two gun charges connected with the case. He was also found guilty of two gun charges connected withthe case. In all the jury of 7 women and 5 men recommended a sentence of life plus 28-years. ((seth weston- it was gruesome ..))
[SOT]
[INQ=]
((bahorich stand up ..psi, judge makes ultimate sentencing decision.))
[OUTQ=sb, news 7, roanoke]))

[Marketwatch]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=1]

In business news,
Stocks are responding positively to the first interest rate increase in four years.
Alexis Christoforous explains in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=in New York.]
((IT'S OFFICIAL.. IT IS NOW MORE EXPENSIVE TO BORROW MONEY... NOW THAT THE FEDERAL RESERVE HAS HANDED AMERICANS THE FIRST INTEREST RATE HIKE IN FOUR YEARS. ALL IN AN EFFORT TO COMBAT INFLATION. SINCE THE RATE HIKE WAS ALREADY BAKED INTO THE CAKE, MARKET RESPONSE WAS MUTED. THE DOW ROSE 22 POINTS THE NASDAQ ADDED 12 THE RATE HIKE TAKES SHORT TERM INTEREST RATES FROM A 46 YEAR LOW OF 1 PERCENT TO 1 AND A QUARTER PERCENT. THAT MEANS YOU'LL SEE HIGHER INTEREST RATES ON YOUR HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT, AUTO LOANS, PERSONAL LOANS, SOME ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES AND CREDIT CARDS... Savers got some long-awaited relief from the Fed's move. It means yields on money market mutual funds, certificates of deposit and other bank accounts -- will rise. NOT DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE RATE HIKE, ANY EXISTING MORTGAGE WITH A FIXED RATE... IN A STATEMENT THE FED SIGNALED IT WILL CONTINUE TO RAISE RATES AT A SLOW AND STEADY PACE IN THE COMING MONTHS. KEEP YOUR EYE MICROSOFT... A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT HAS APPROVED MICROSOFT'S ANTITRUST SETTLEMENT WITH THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT. THE APPEALS COURT REJECTED PROPOSALS BY MASSACHUSETTS FOR TOUGHER RESTRICTIONS ON THE WORLD'S LARGEST SOFTWARE MAKER. stay on top of your stocks and all the biz news at cbs.mw.com in ny I'm Alexis Christoforous ))

(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS] [WOOD ROGERS SPONSOR BOARD 5185 ESSC] [COMM]

[11Water-Authority]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-16 TC1:45:22]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

Two years after a drought drained Carvins Cove, Roanoke City and County officials have created a new water authority that's on tap to take effect today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Yesterday, city and county officials toasted the partnership that takes effect today.
They signed an agreement transferring utility assets to the independent water authority.
State and local officials describe the regional authority as a monumental step for the Roanoke Valley, and a model for the rest of Virginia.
(------------)

[11Radford-Bridge]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-19 TC1:00:24]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

It's not troubled waters holding up development on a new bridge in Montgomery County, but money troubles.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;]
V-DOT says it won't be able to replace the Route 114 bridge over the New River until 2010 at the earliest. Budget cuts forced officials to scale back- the project was supposed to cost 12 million dollars. The Pepper's Ferry Road bridge was hit by a truck more than two years ago. That damaged the structure and forced it to close. Since then, traffic's been diverted to the other bridge.
(------------)

((toss to bump)) [toss to bump]

[11Gay-Rights]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-17 50:26]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]

Some call it extreme, others say it's exactly what Virginia needs.
At issue is a new state law that goes into effect today that bans gay civil unions.
Justin McLeod has both sides of the debate.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Lynn Craven/Roanoke Resident; :26]
[SUPER=01-Molly McClintock/Gay Activist; :45]
[SUPER=01-Warren King/Shenandoah Baptist Church; :53]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:19]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]
((((NAT SOUND OF CROWD STANDING UP AND CLAPPING AT 15:36:04))
Saying they are standing up for equality, more than two hundred gay supporters came out to this Roanoke Church to protest the state of Virginia.
[SOT 9:54:25]
[IN Q=This law is nothing]
((MOLLY McCLINTOCK/EVENT ORGANIZER: THIS LAW IS NOTHING BUT MALICIOUS AND VINDICTIVE.)) [Runs02]
[OUT Q=AND VINDICTIVE]

A law called the Affirmation of Marriage Act.
It bans civil unions in Virginia something the state had already done.
But this law goes a step further and that's where the debate begins.
[SOT 9:56:06]
[IN Q=It's so vague]
((LYNN CRAVEN/ROANOKE RESIDENT: IT'S SO VAGUE THAT ANYBODY COULD TAKE AWAY ANY OF MY RIGHTS.)) [Runs05]
[OUT Q=ANY OF MY RIGHTS]

That's because the law is broadly worded.
It prohibits civil unions and other arrangements that bestow the privileges of marriage.
Gay activists fear it may interfere with legal contracts such as the powers of attorney, medical directives, and wills.
[SOT 9:54:29]
[IN Q=It doesn't put us]
((MOLLY McCLINTOCK/GAY COUPLE: IT DOESN'T PUT US IN ANY POSITION OTHER THAN LEGALLY VULNERABLE SO IT REALLY DOESN'T GAIN ANYTHING FOR THE STATE.)) [Runs06]
[OUT Q=for the state]

Supporters of the law however disagree. (USE TWO SHOT AT 9:48:43)
[SOT 9:45:08]
[IN Q=I think there]
((WARREN KING/SHENANDOAH BAPTIST CHURCH: I THINK THERE IS A NEED FOR IT BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN SUCH AN ATTACK ON TRADITIONAL FAMILY VALUES, TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE.)) [Runs06]
[OUT Q=TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE]

Supporters point out the bill overwhelmingly passed the General Assembly.
But that's not stopping groups like the ACLU who are already looking for a gay and lesbian couple to challenge the law.
Gay activists remain hopeful but are preparing for the worst.
[SOT 9:57:59]
[IN Q=I would have to]
((LYNN CRAVEN/ROANOKE RESIDENT: I WOULD HAVE TO SERIOUSLY TO PROTECT MY FAMILY SERIOUSLY CONSIDER MOVING.)) [Runs04]
[OUT Q=seriously consider moving]
[SOT ]
[IN Q=Governor Warner]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: GOVERNOR TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO AMEND THE BILL BUT SINCE TWO THIRDS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE APPROVED IT IT TAKES AWAY HIS VETO POWER AND THEREFORE THE LAW GOES INTO EFFECT TODAY. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7.))))

[11New-laws]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=04-21 TC27:43]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

A ban on civil unions is one of many new laws taking effect today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Motorists over the age of 80 will now need to pass a vision test before renewing their drivers licenses.
Another new law allows pharmacists, nurses and therapists to anonymously report an incompetent driver to the D-M-V.

And the state will start cracking down on drag racing... an activity that officials say is on the rise.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:41:31]
[IN Q=I THINK THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE]
((VINCE BURGESS/ASSISTANT DMV COMMISSIONER: I THINK THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE OF MOVIES, FAST AND THE FURIOUS THAT HAVE HIGHLIGHTED THAT, GLAMORIZED THAT AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FELT THIS NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED.))
[SUPER=01-Vince Burgess/Assistant DMV Commissioner]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Also taking effect today is a new law prohibiting trucks on Interstate 81 from travelling in the left-most lane where that are at least three lanes.
OR when the trucks are travelling well below the speed limit.
(------------)

[Trigger]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=D1]

[Roll out of bump 3]

(//////SOT/////)

[break next]
[Winner]

[ENG#=D1]

[ROLL OUT OF break ]

(///// SOT /////)

[SUPER=45-Jim Collins/Troutville;]

[Steve Segment Next]

[11Rubatex]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-11 TC2:04:32]
[GRAPHIC=RBX Bankruptcy]
[ENG#=2]

A judge has put the brakes on one companys plans to buy a bankrupt local business.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-File Tape/Bedford;]
Yesterday a judge denied Rubatex's motion to terminate a collective bargaining agreement made in 2001 with its unionized workers. The bankrupt company filed the motion to close a one-point-one MILLION dollar tentative deal it made with a prospective buyer.
Rubatex Acquisition L-L-C agreed to purchase two of Rubatex's six facilities,
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
under the condition that the union contract was terminated. But a judge ruled Rubatex made little effort to first work out an agreement with its WORKERS, which legally, they're obligated to do.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT 41:54]
[IN Q=I hope that]
((BRUCE LEVINE/UNITED STEELWORKERS OF AMERICA ATTY: I HOPE THAT PERHAPS ON REFLECTION, ALL PARTIES WILL AGREE THAT THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO TALK.))
[SUPER=01-Bruce Levine/United Steelworkers of America Attorney;]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=to do is talk]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
But attorneys for the Germany based R-A-L company say they have no interest in negotiating with the union, and now, no interest in buying the company.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT 3732]
[IN Q=we're disappointed]
((BRUCE LEVINE/ATTY. FOR UNITED STEELWORKERS: WE'RE DISAPPOINTED THAT WE WE'RE NOT IN A POSITION TO ACQUIRE THESE ASSETS TODAY, WE WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO OPENING A PLANT AND CREATING JOBS IN BEDFORD.))
[SUPER=01-Mike Mueller/Rubatex Acquisition, LLC Attorney;]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=jobs in Bedford]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Just two weeks ago, the union lost a battle with Rubatex over all retiree benefits, which no longer exist.
(------------)

[Biz-Brief]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=3]

In business news,
Late Wednesday, a number of U-S banks raised their prime rates by a quarter percentage point to four and a quarter.

The move mimics an increase in the benchmark federal funds rate by the U-S Federal Reserve Bank.
Stan Case has more financial news in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:09]

[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.][11Boty-Supervisor]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A former Botetourt County supervisor did not act inappropriately when he voted with the board to vacate a plot of land near his home.
That's the finding of special prosecutor Don Caldwell.
He says John W. Griffin did NOT violate conflict of interest rules in November 2003.
Griffin voted in a 3 to 2 decision to vacate an undeveloped county- owned right of way.
The land potentially connected property owned by Rainbow Forest Baptist Church with a road in the Brookfield subdivision.
Griffin owned property in that subdivision.

[11City-Council]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-18 TC1:05:24]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

Members of Roanoke City Council have moved to fill a vacancy, but not without criticism from a recent council candidate.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Mayor-Elect Nelson Harris, and three other incumbents say they want Brenda McDaniel to fill the council seat that Harris is vacating.
They say they want to maintain a female presence on council while choosing someone who is non- political and active in the community.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I just think we could not]
((REV. NELSON HARRIS/ROANOKE MAYOR-ELECT: I JUST THINK WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE BETTER GIVEN THE CRITERIA WE WERE STRIVING TO MEET THAN BRENDA MCDANIEL.)) ((WENDY JONES/COUNCIL CANDIDATE: I THINK IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO NOTICE THAT THE PEOPLE'S WORD THROUGH THEIR VOTES AS IT WAS STATED, WAS NOT TAKEN.))
[SUPER=01-Rev. Nelson Harris/Roanoke Mayor; :00]
[SUPER=01-Wendy Jones/Roanoke City Council Candidate; :11]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=was not taken.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Wendy Jones narrowly lost the city council election in May. She says the council incumbents ignored the wishes of the voters by not selecting her for the vacancy.
(------------)

((toss to bump)) [toss to bump]

[VOBGay-Rights]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morning]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-23 21:10]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=3]

Virginia is for haters, not lovers.
That's the feeling among many gay couples, thanks to a new state law.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

More than two hundred supporters of gay rights rallied last night at a church in Roanoke.
They're angry over the Affirmation of Marriage Act, which bans civil unions and other arrangements that bestow the privileges of marriage.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:53:24]
[IN Q=It is very restrictive]
((MOLLY McCLINTOCK/GAY ACTIVIST: IT IS VERY RESTRICTIVE TO SAME GENDER COUPLES, ESSENTIALLY IT WILL VOID CONTRACTS THAT WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE TO TRY TO PROTECT OURSELVES AND EACH OTHER AND OUR ASSETS IN CASE OF A MEDICAL EMERGENCY OR LEGAL PROBLEM.))
[SUPER=01-Molly McClintock/Gay Activist; :]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=or legal problem]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

But supporters of the law point out the bill overwhelmingly passed the General Assembly.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:46:24]
[IN Q=I think it just]
((WARREN KING/SHENANDOAH BAPTIST CHURCH: I THINK IT JUST REAFFIRMS WHAT'S ALREADY GOOD. I THINK ONE OF THE OUTCRY'S YOU HEAR FROM THIS VOCAL MINORITY IS THAT YOU ARE GOING TO STEAL OUR RIGHTS AND BENEFITS AND THINGS LIKE THIS. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS IT HASN'T HAPPENED ALREADY. WHAT THEY WANT IS BENEFITS THAT NEVER WERE IN EXISTANCE AND THAT IS TO RECOGNIZE SAME SEX UNIONS.))
[SUPER=01-Warren King/Shenandoah Baptish Church; :]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=same sex unions]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Groups like the ACLU are already looking for a gay and lesbian couple to challenge the new law, which goes into affect today.
(------------)