Morning news AM cutins on WDBJ 7 10/19/95

08:25-01

7Davidson

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=tal
TAPE#95-78
GRAPHIC=Davidson

Time has run out for a Virginia death row inmate.
Mickey Wayne Davidson is set to die tonight for the 19-90 beating deaths of his wife and two stepdaughters.
The murders
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;
are remembered as Saltville's most brutal crime.
Davidson confessed, saying he could not bear to let his wife Doris and her two teenage daughters leave him.
He first said he wanted to be executed, but changed his mind several times to file appeals.
SUPER=03-Marion;

This time, Saltville's police chief believes Davidson is ready to die.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:51:25
IN Q=
((STEVE SURBER/SALTVILLE POLICE CHIEF: I HAD A LETTER FROM HIM, IT WAS NOTARIZED AND HE ASKED THAT NOTHING BE RELEASED ON HIS CASE, THAT HE WANTED TO SWIFTLY GO THROUGH WITH HIS EXECUTION. THAT'S BEEN PROBABLY FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS AGO. ))
SUPER=01-Steve Surber/Saltville Police Chief;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=five months ago.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Davidson has neither hired an attorney nor filed anymore appeals.
SUPER=03-Saltville;

He bought the cemetery plot right next to his wife.
Her brother told NEWS-7 the family considered moving the victims' graves.
But he says if they do anything, they'll most likely just remove the markers.
(----------------)

7Wythe-Body

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=equ
TAPE#95-84
GRAPHIC=none

A Richmond man has pleaded GUILTY in another beating death.
The victim- Gregory Scott Spencer was murdered in a Richmond suburb.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Wythe Co./May 17;

But 23- year old Brett Matthew Wis-ne-ski testified he wrapped Spencer's body in TRASH bags and dumped it in Wythe County.
Henrico prosecutors say the murder was related to a drug debt.
(----------------)
TALENT=Melanie
SS=NONE

A letter from Wis-ne-ski to his girlfriend was presented in court.
In it, Wis-ne-ski says he beat Spencer to death with a baseball bat, after planning the murder for TWO weeks.
He wrote that he had NO regrets -- it was "simply business."

7Smart-Highway

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=spr
TAPE#95-75
GRAPHIC=NONE

The road is not smooth for supporters of the Smart Highway.
Opponents of the project say they are being run- over by the Virginia Department of Transportation.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Last Night;

They got their chance to speak their minds at a public hearing, but they received no response from V- DOT officials.
Those against the plan say it's a waste of time and money.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 7:15:58
IN Q=Basically
((RICK ROTH/NEW RIVER VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COALITION: BASICALLY THIS ROAD IS ROAD THAT A BUNCH OF PEOPLE IN ROANOKE DECIDED THEY WANTED A LONG TIME AGO, AND SORT OF GOT WHAT THEY WANTED THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. ))
SUPER=01-Rick Roth/NRV Environmental Coalition;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=transportation
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Earlier in the evening V- DOT officials did try to answer questions about the roadway in a less formal gathering.
That was met by protestors from the Sierra Club.
The Smart Highway would be a six- mile stretch, connecting a 460 bypass in Blacksburg to Interstate 81 in Roanoke.
The first two miles would be used to test hi-tech vehicles.
The state has already pledged 10- million dollars for that specific portion, but officials estimate the cost at 27- million dollars.
They say it will be worth every penny.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 5:27:38
IN Q=We think
((DAN BRUGH/VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: WE THINK IT'S A NEEDED PROJECT, NOT ONLY FROM A RESEARCH STAND POINT BUT FROM AN OVERALL TRANSPORTATION STANDPOINT IN THE NEW RIVER VALLEY. ))
SUPER=01-Dan Brugh/VDOT;
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=new river valley
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Brugh says if everything goes according to schedule, the first two miles should be completed near the end of 1998.
(----------------)

7Babbitt-Powell

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=none

A former White House cabinet member and a possible future White House resident make stops in the state this week.
Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt is on a three-day tour across the state promoting the environment.
He'll be in Appommattox today.
And tomorrow retired Army General and former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman
(Coal-lyn) Colin Powell pays a visit to Norfolk to promote his autobiography.

7weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=nle
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Turning now to the weather for your Thrusday -
It's going to be a clear and sunny day with temperatures in the mid to upper 70s.
Lows tonight will be in the 40s.
Expect clouds to move in by tomorrow.
A chance of showers throughout the weekend, with temperatures falling into the 50s.

55Shooting

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=THA
TAPE#95-73
GRAPHIC=NONE

Authorities suspect NO foul play in the accidental shooting of a little girl in Halifax County.
Six year old Bridgett Shortt was shot and killed Tuesday by her great- grandfather.
Bridget was a first grader at Virgilina Elementary school.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Her teacher remembers her as an IDEAL student who was known for her laughter and love of learning.
Bridget was also a relative of Sheriff Eugene Shortt.
He says they have NO doubt the shooting was accidental.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Apparently from
((EUGENE SHORTT/HALIFAX CO. SHERIFF: APPARENTLY FROM WHAT THE INVESTIGATION HAS REVEALED SO FAR HE HAD THE SHOTGUN TO SHOOT AT PERHAPS SOME STRAY DOGS OR SOMETHING THAT WAS IN HIS YARD AND THE BEST WE CAN TELL SO FAR THE YOUNG KID JUST RAN IN FRONT OF THE LINE OF FIRE. ))
SUPER=01-Eugene Shortt/Halifax Co. Sheriff; :00
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=of fire.
SS=Beth
GRAPHIC=none

Police are NOT releasing the great- grandfather's name.
Several school psychologists were brought in yesterday to help teachers and students cope with the loss.
Bridget's classmates also drew cards to give to her family.

55Kids-Guns

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#95-76
GRAPHIC=none

A student cut another student with a razorblade at Bassett Middle School.
The incident caused concern about students bringing weapons to school.
But as Kimberly McBroom reports, at least one school official says life is already back to normal and the problem does not live up to the hype.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=I don't remember
SUPER=01-Stephen Burton/Bassett Middle School Principal;:00
SUPER=03-Henry Co.;:13
SUPER=@Kimberly1;:31
SUPER=01-Dr. Michael Chiglinsky/Psychologist;:56
RUNS=1:24
OUT Q=McBroom, News 7
(((/////SOT/////)
SOT tape 1 13:08:49
((STEPHEN BURTON/BASSETT MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: I DON'T REMEMBER IN THE YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE THAT ANYBODY BROUGHT A WEAPON TO SCHOOL TO INTENTIONALLY DO HARM TO ANOTHER STUDENT INSIDE THE BUILDING. ))
RUNS=:10

And he says that includes the recent incident involving one student cutting another student with a razor.
Burton says the situation got out of hand-- but there haven't been any similar occurences since then.
A new state law requires school officials to suspend students for 10 days if they bring weapons on campus.
And Burton says that seems to have done the trick.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT tape 1 standup 13:54:30
((Burton feels reports about youth violence have been blown out of proportion, and that by nature, children are the same as they ever were. ))
RUNS=:06
(/////SOT/////)
SOT tape 1 13:08:38
((STEPHEN BURTON/BASSETT MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: IT WAS ALMOST LIKE A SHOW AND TELL. I'VE GOT A KNIFE AND I'M GOING TO BRING IT AND I'M GOING TO SHOW IT TO EVERYBODY SO THAT THEY CAN SEE HOW MACHO, OR COOL, OR BAD THAT I AM. ))
RUNS=:10

The motivation for agressive behavior usually comes from the child's home life-- according to one psychologist.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT tape 2 15:08:13
((DR. MICHAEL CHIGLINSKY/PSYCHOLOGIST: IT'S BELIEVED THAT MANY OF THESE FAMILIES USE PHYSICAL DISCIPLINE AS A FORM OF CONTROL-- AND EVENTUALLY, THAT CHILD WILL SEE THAT NEED AS BEING THE BEST WAY TO CONTROL OTHER CHILDREN-- A WEAPON IS THE BEST FORM OF CONTROL.))
RUNS=:14

Chiglinsky says parents should be advised to be watchful whenever their children are exposed to any form of violence.
He says even if it's just played out on television-- impressionable kids may try to act it out on their peers. Kimberly McBroom, News 7.))

55Sports-Complex

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=iqu
TAPE#95-79
GRAPHIC=Lynchburg

Hundreds of people are fighting the location of a proposed 17-million dollar sports complex in Lynchburg.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Last Night;

About 300 people packed a Lynchburg planning commission meeting last night.
While just about everyone admitted the city needs more sports facilities, many Sandusky area residents DO NOT want it in their back yard.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Others argued Lynchburg greatly needs the fields for sports.
Part of the complex would also be the NEW home for the Lynchburg Hillcats.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD

Without a NEW complex, Lynchburg could be in danger of LOSING it's minor league team.

55weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=nle
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Taking a look at weather-
It's going to be a clear and sunny day with temperatures in the mid to upper 70s.
Lows tonight will be in the 40s.
Expect clouds to move in by tomorrow, with cooler temperatures and rain for your weekend.

8Fire

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=bmy
TAPE#95-74
GRAPHIC=fire

A fire this morning at the former White Foundry building in downtown Roanoke could be seen for miles.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

Fire crews responded quickly to the building at 14th Street and Norfolk Avenue.
Police say it's a cinder block building and the fire was under control by 7:30.
No one was hurt.
Investigators are still assessing the damage.
(----------------)

8Mickey-Davidson

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=tal
TAPE#95-78
GRAPHIC=Davidson

The execution of Mickey Wayne Davidson is set for tonight. He's convicted of one of Saltville's most BRUTAL crimes.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

Davidson bludgeoned his wife and two stepdaughters to death in 1990.
He confessed, saying he could NOT bear to let his wife Doris and her two teenage daughters leave him.
He first said he wanted to be executed, but changed his mind several times to file appeals.
SUPER=03-Marion;

This time, Saltville police chief Steve Surber believes Davidson is ready to die.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:51:25
IN Q=
((STEVE SURBER/SALTVILLE POLICE CHIEF: I HAD A LETTER FROM HIM, IT WAS NOTARIZED AND HE ASKED THAT NOTHING BE RELEASED ON HIS CASE, THAT HE WANTED TO SWIFTLY GO THROUGH WITH HIS EXECUTION. THAT'S BEEN PROBABLY FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS AGO. ))
SUPER=01-Steve Surber/Saltville Police Chief;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=five months ago.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Davidson has neither hired an attorney nor filed anymore appeals.
SUPER=03-Saltville;

He bought the cemetery plot right next to his wife.
Her brother told NEWS-7 the family considered moving the victims' graves.
But he says if they do anything, they'll most likely just remove the markers.
(----------------)

8Wisneski

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=equ
TAPE#95-84
GRAPHIC=NONE

A man pleaded GUILTY to a murder that has ties to our area, but actually happened in a Richmond suburb.
The body of the victim, Gregory Scott Spencer was found in Wythe County in May.
Spencer lived in a Richmond suburb and his murder happened in Henrico County.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Wythe Co./May 17;

23- year old Brett Matthew Wisneski testified yesterday he wrapped Spencer's body in trash bags and dumped it in Wythe County last spring.
Henrico prosecutors say the murder was related to a drug debt.
(----------------)
TALENT=Melanie
SS=NONE

A letter from Wisneski to his girlfriend was presented in court.
In it, Wisneski says he beat Spencer to death with a baseball bat, after planning the murder for two weeks.
He wrote that he had no regrets -- it was "simply business."

8Health-Cuts

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#95-83
GRAPHIC=Carilion

Some changes by one of the areas major health care providers will mean the loss of 135 jobs over the next two years.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

Carilion has announced it will be CONSOLIDATING it's staff and
SUPER=@file;
DIVIDING hospitals according to the type of medical service provided.
Community and Roanoke Memorial Hospitals will have ONE management team.
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=Carilion

The changes will take place next year at Carilion facilities in the Roanoke Valley, as well as Bedford and Franklin counties.

8Alcohol-Awareness

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=spr
TAPE#95-80
GRAPHIC=NONE

Folks in Blacksburg are raising a glass to a study at Virginia Tech.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Blacksburg;

It's national Alcohol Awareness Week, and psychology students are administering breathalizer tests at various spots around town.
Those tested NOT only walk away knowing what their blood- alcohol level is-
They also receive a raffle ticket, which could mean free-bies from area businesses.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 8:38:59
IN Q=It's students
((SCOTT GELLER/VIRGINIA TECH PROFESSOR: IT'S STUDENTS BEHIND THOSE TABLES WITH INFORMATION TO TELL OTHER STUDENTS ABOUT THE RISKS OF TOO MUCH ALCOHOL. ))
SUPER=01-Scott Geller/Virginia Tech Professor;
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=too much alcohol
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Data from questionnaires, and from the tests themselves, will be recorded.
The findings will be revealed in March at a North Carolina psychology convention.
(----------------)

8weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=nle
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Turning now to the weather for your Thrusday -
It's going to be clear, sunny and warm this afternoon. Temperatures will rise into the mid to upper 70s.
Tonight, skies will be clear with lows dipping into the low 40s.
Clouds start building tomorrow. There's even a chance of showers in the forecast... and that's the case throughout the weekend, with afternoon temperatures in the 50s and nightime lows in the 40's and upper 30's.