Morning news AM cutins on WDBJ 7 12/13/95

08:25-01

7Schoolwatch

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

Light snow and freezing rain are causing a few schools to adjust their schedules this morning.
(-------------)
(mel reads schoolwatch)

Bland County delayed two hours.
Giles County will start one hour late.
Smyth County is also delayed one hour.
And a one hour school delay in Wythe County.
(-------------)

7Helms

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cutin
WRITER=rjo
TAPE#95-93
GRAPHIC=Helms

A Henry County teenager is charged with shooting and killing another teen. Now, two months later - Tommy Helms faces being tried as an adult, and the victim's family feels justice is about to be served.
Ron Jones has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=@File; :07
SUPER=01-Yvette Joyce/Witness; :17
SUPER=01-Charlie Joyce/Witness; :36
SUPER=03-Martinsville/Yesterday; :45
SUPER=01-Bob Bushnell/Commonwealth's Attorney; :59
SUPER=01-James Vaughn/Victim's Father; 1:16
SUPER=@Ron2; 1:25
RUNS=1:32
OUT=Ron Jones, News Seven.

((According to police 16-year-old Tommy Helms confessed to killing 15-year-old Lavina Scales last October.
Helms is charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of Lavina Scales.
Scale's body was discovered by Charlie and Yvette Joyce on a roadside as they were on their way to church. ((YVETTE JOYCE/WITNESS: WELL, WE WERE JUST ON OUR WAY TO CHURCH AND I NOTICED DOWN THE EMBANKMENT WAS A PAIR OF LEGS. ONE LEG WAS AGAINST THE TREE AND THE OTHER LEG WAS CRUMPLED UNDERNEATH AND I TOLD MY HUSBAND.))
Mr. Joyce says he got out the car to check on the body. ((CHARLIE JOYCE/WITNESS: TAP HER ON THE FOOT TO SEE IF SHE WAS ASLEEP OR NEEDED HELP OR WHATEVER AND SEEN SOME BLOOD SPECKLED ON HER FACE SO I REALIZED SHE NEEDED HELP.))
Helms later turned himself in and confessed to three unrelated robberies and numerous gun charges.
After hearing the evidence in court the judge wants Helms tried as an adult. ((BOB BUSHNELL/COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY: IF THE CIRCUIT COURT FEELS THE JUDGE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION WHICH I THINK SHE MADE AND HOPEFULLY THE CIRCUIT COURT AGREE. THEY WILL THEN ENTER AN ORDER PERMITTING ME TO PRESENT THESE CASES TO THE GRAND JURY AND THEN THE ADULT PROCESS TAKES OVER.))
The victim's father is pleased. ((JAMES VAUGHN/VICTIM'S FATHER: HE'S OLD ENOUGH TO CARRY A GUN, HE'S OLD ENOUGH TO BE OUT ON HIS OWN, BE OUT ON THE STREET AND CAUSE SO MUCH HAVOC, THEN HE SHOULD BE TRIED AS AN ADULT.))
The Circuit court will now have validate the judge's decision to see if Helms can officially be tried as an adult.
Ron Jones, News Seven.))

7Crump

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cutin
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#95-99
GRAPHIC=NONE

In a Roanoke courtroom yesterday a woman identifed the man she says fatally shot her friend two months ago.
Tina Trout was an eyewitness to the crime and said she positvely identified the suspect a day or so later at a convenience store.
Friends told her the man she saw was Michael Wayne Crump.
Police obtained a warrant, and Crump turned himself in.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:25
IN Q=I was at
((LEVANDA CRUMP/DEFENDAT'S MOTHER: I WAS AT WORK, AND THEY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT MY SON WAS LOCKED UP FOR MURDER. Q: Does he have any connection at all with this Jones guy? HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW THE JONES GUY. HE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HIM.))
SUPER=01-Levanda Crump/Defendant's Mother
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=even know him.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke

If there's a link between Mike Crump and Eric "Nike" Jones, it did not come out in court.
Tina Trout was the only witness to testify at yesterday's preliminary hearing.
She picked out Crump as the gunman,though he was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and never said anything the night of the shooting.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

Though Jones was a petty drug dealer- -awaiting sentencing when he was shot- -police do NOT believe it was a drug hit.
His sister believes the bullet may have been meant for someone else.

7Metcalf

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cutin
WRITER=cro
TAPE#=edit of 95-26 (welfare)
GRAPHIC=state seal

In the new year the state will have a new secretary of health and human resources.
SS=Allen

Governor Allen said yesterday that state Medicaid director Robert Metcalf will succeed Kay Coles James on January first.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

James is resigning to pursue other interests.
She's been mentioned as a possible candidate for state Republican Party chairwoman.
The General Assembly must confirm Metcalf's appointment.
(----------------)

7Weather

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

Turning now to the weather -
Today will be cloudy with freezing rain, sleet or snow.
Temperatures will be in the lower 30s.
For tonight, expect the freezing rain to continue, temperatures will stay in the 30s.

55Schoolwatch

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

A few schools are adjusting their schedules this morning because of some light snow and freezing rain.
(-------------)
(mel reads schoolwatch)

Bland County delayed two hours.
Giles County will start one hour late.
Smyth County is also delayed one hour.
And a one hour school delay in Wythe County.

(-------------)

55Adult

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=bmy
TAPE#95-93
GRAPHIC=Helms

A teenager who confessed to murder in Henry County may be tried as an adult.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

16- year- old Tommy Helms is charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of 15- year- old Lavina Scales last October.
Police say Helms confessed to the killing.
SUPER=@file;

Scale's body was discovered by Charlie and Yvette Joyce on a roadside.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Well, we were just
((YVETTE JOYCE/WITNESS: WELL, WE WERE JUST ON OUR WAY TO CHURCH AND I NOTICED DOWN THE EMBANKMENT WAS A PAIR OF LEGS. ONE LEG WAS AGAINST THE TREE AND THE OTHER LEG WAS CRUMPLED UNDERNEATH AND I TOLD MY HUSBAND. ))
SUPER=01-Yvette Joyce/Witness;
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=told my husband
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Helms later turned himself in and confessed to three unrelated robberies and numerous gun charges.
SUPER=03-Martinsville/Yesterday;

After hearing the evidence in court yesterday, the judge wants Helms tried as an adult.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=If the Circuit
((BOB BUSHNELL/COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY: IF THE CIRCUIT COURT FEELS THE JUDGE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION WHICH I THINK SHE MADE AND HOPEFULLY THE CIRCUIT COURT AGREE. THEY WILL THEN ENTER AN ORDER PERMITTING ME TO PRESENT THESE CASES TO THE GRAND JURY AND THEN THE ADULT PROCESS TAKES OVER. ))
SUPER=01-Bob Bushnell/Commonwealth's Attorney;
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=process takes over.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The Circuit court must validate the judge's decision for Helms to be officially tried as an adult.
(----------------)

55Draper

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=rjo
TAPE# 595-39
GRAPHIC=NONE

Meantime, a Martinsville man accused of trying to kill his girlfriend's father with a pipebomb is back in court.
This is the second trial for Michael Draper.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Martinsville/Yesterday;

Last summer Draper's trial was declared a mistrial after a hung jury.
Police say it all started in June of '93- when Draper shot his girlfriend's father, Roy Hairiston-
SUPER=04-File Tape;

Harriston was supposed to testify a few months later AGAINST Draper.
But a few days before the trial, a pipe bomb exploded in the parking lot where Harriston worked
SUPER=04-October 22, 1993;

The shrapnel from the bomb severely injured his friend, James Harris.
Police say all the evidence points to Draper.
The trial is expected to wrap up today.
(----------------)

55Recount

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=spr
TAPE# 95-87
GRAPHIC=election 95

A panel of Henry County judges has affirmed the election of Debra Buchanan to the Board of Supervisors.
Scott Prince reports the process took more than seven hours.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Simon Spencer
SUPER=03-Henry Co.; :00
SUPER=01-Debra Buchanan/Henry County Supervisor Elect; :13
SUPER=@File; :24
SUPER=@Scott1; :39
SUPER=01-Simon Spencer/Henry County Board of Supervisors; :59
RUNS=1:17
OUT Q=SP News 7

(( Simon Spencer is down for the count... the recount that is.
Cable Six personality Debra Buchanan has officially snatched his seat, and is now the newest member of the Henry County Board of Supervisors. ((DEBRA BUCHANAN/HENRY COUNTY SUPERVISOR ELECT: I'M JUST TIRED AND RELIEVED LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. ))
The recount was ordered after Buchanan and Spencer split the vote in the Horsepasture District during last month's election.
Officials broke the tie when they pulled Buchanan's name out of a basket.
Spencer's attorney argued that this man's ballot should have been disqualified because it wasn't recorded correctly.
That vote he said gave Buchanan an invalid edge.
But a panel of judges disagreed.
Spencer's attorney also argued that there was another invalid vote-- this one coming in the form of a voter who moved out of the Horsepasture District.
But the judges said they could not disqualify that vote because they did not have the authority to do so.
Simon Spencer says he's disappointed with the court's decision but it will give him time to concentrate on his career as an educator. ((SIMON SPENCER/HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: NATURALLY YOU DON'T KNOW HOW PEOPLE WILL SEE THINGS. NATURALLY WE DISAGREE WITH HOW THE JUDGES SAW IT BUT THAT'S THEIR JOB AND I RESPECT THE LAW AND WE ABIDE BY IT. ))
Debra Buchanan will join the Henry County Board of Supervisors early next month.
Scott Prince, News 7.))

55Weather

8Schoolwatch

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

A few schools are adjusting their schedules this morning because of some light snow and freezing rain.
(-------------)
(mel reads schoolwatch)

Bland County is delayed two hours.
Giles County will start one hour late.
Smyth County schools are closed today.
And a one hour school delay in Wythe County.

(-------------)

8Lilly

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=tal
TAPE#95-95
GRAPHIC=Ben Lilly

Alleged killer Benjamin Lilly was free on bond at the time he's accused of murdering Alexander DeFilippis.
Now some want to know why Lilly was not kept behind bars.
Tracy Altizer went searching for some answers.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Although Benjamin Lilly
SUPER=03-Pearisburg/December 5; :00
SUPER=01-Skip Schwab/Asst. Montgomery Co. Prosecutor; :14 Quick
SUPER=03-Pearisburg/Friday; :34
SUPER=@Tracy1; :1:18
SUPER=03-Montgomery Co./December 5; :1:40
RUNS=1:48
OUT Q=Altizer, News 7.

(( Although Benjamin Lilly went to prison for hitting his girlfriend in the face with a bottle, it seems no one considered him dangerous, at least not to the point of abducting and killing an innocent bystander, a college student, as he now stands accused.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 15:58:44
IN Q=
((SKIP SCHWAB/ASST. MONTGOMERY CO. PROSECUTOR: I WOULD THINK THAT NOBODY INVOLVED, FROM THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY, THE JUDGES, OUR OFFICE ))
SOT 15:58:58
((WOULD'VE EVER THOUGHT THAT HE WOULD'VE COMMITTED A CRIME LIKE THAT.))
RUNS=:08

Still, Schwab says the Commonwealth OPPOSED bail when Lilly was arrested in October for felony gun possession and attempted breaking and entering.
But as in any case, there were constitutional issues at stake.
Was there probable cause to believe Lilly would run, or that he would be a danger to himself or society?
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 15:57:03
IN Q=
((QUESTION: WOULDN'T THE FACT THAT SOMEONE WHO IS CONVICTED OF MALICIOUS WOUNDING AND IS ON PAROLE AND IS NOW ATTEMPTING TO BREAK IN SOMEWHERE AND STEAL GUNS, WOULD THAT NOT CONSTITUTE A THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY? ANSWER: THAT'S THE QUESTION FOR THE JUDGE TO DECIDE. ))
RUNS=:18

And the court setting the bail doesn't always know a defendant is on parole or probation, nor may it have authority to revoke those privileges.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 16:00:55
IN Q=
((SO YOU'VE GOT TWO, SOMETIMES THREE DIFFERENT PLACES THAT HAVE TO DEAL WITH SEPARATE QUESTIONS. IN MANY CASES YOU DON'T HAVE PROBATION AND PAROLE DEALT WITH UNTIL THE CRIMINAL CHARGES ARE RESOLVED. ))
RUNS=:13

Judge John Quigley set bail at 25 thousand dollars.
Schwab says no one thought Lilly, who was indigent enough to qualify for a court- appointed lawyer would be able to raise the required 10 percent.
But his mother did, and Lilly walked.
The next month police picked him up on traffic violations, nothing too serious, so a magistrate released him on personal recognizance.
In hindsight it may have led to tragedy. But Schwab reminds us the laws are there to protect all our rights, the innocent as well as the guilty. Tracy Altizer, News 7.))

8County-Supers

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#95-96
GRAPHIC=Roanoke County

Roanoke County residents will vote on a proposal to build a replacement for Cave Spring High School.
Yesterday, the school board and the board of supervisors authorized a bond referendum next spring.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;

The 40- million dollar package of capital improvements includes the money for a new southwest county high school.
It also includes more than six million dollars for other projects including the gym and auditorium at northside high school.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Will this bond referendum
((JERRY CANADA/SCHOOL BOARD CHAIRMAN: WILL THIS BOND REFERNDUM RESOLVE ALL OF THE ISSUES IN THE ROANOKE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM? THE ANSWER IS NO. WILL IT GET US STARTED? ABSOLUTELY. IT'S GOING TO REALLY GET US STARTED POSITIVELY IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND WE'RE HOPING SOON WE CAN GET THIS STARTED AND MOVE AWAY FROM THIS AND START CONCENTRATING ON OTHER AREAS IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.))
SUPER=01-Jerry Canada/School Board Chairman;
RUNS=:20
OUT Q=in our school system.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD

The bond package will go to the voters in a special election on April 2nd.

8Metcalf

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=cro
TAPE#=edit of 95-26 (welfare)
GRAPHIC=NONE

The director of the state's Medicaid department has been appointed acting secretary of health and human resources.
SS=Allen

Governor Allen said yesterday that Robert Metcalf will succeed Kay Coles James on January first.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

James is resigning to pursue other interests.
She's been mentioned as a possible candidate for state Republican Party chairwoman.
The General Assembly must confirm Metcalf's appointment.
(----------------)

8Weather

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

Turning now to the weather -
Today will be cloudy with freezing rain, sleet or snow. Temperatures will be in the lower 30s.