WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 06/25/96

08:25-01

7Chris-Gammon

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=tal
TAPE#96-44
GRAPHIC=Gammon

One of two brothers accused of murdering their father and injuring their stepmother has pleaded no contest to the crime.
But Christopher Gammon's family and lawyers say the teenager deserves leniency.
Tracy Altizer reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=17 year-old Chris Gammon
SUPER=03-Hillsville; :00
SUPER=03-Carroll Co./October 31, 1994; :10
SUPER=01-Max Jenkins/Chris Gammon's Lawyer; :28
SUPER=01-Regina Barnes/Chris Gammon's Mother; :36
SUPER=01-Mary Hylton/Rebecca Gammon's Sister-in-Law; 1:02
SUPER=01-Greg Goad/Carroll Co. Prosecutor; 1:17
SUPER=@Tracy1; 1:25
RUNS=1:37
OUT Q=News 7 Hillsville
(( 17 year- old Chris Gammon pled no contest to the murder of his father Gary Gammon, and the aggravated malicious wounding of his stepmother Rebecca.
Rebecca Gammon has said she and her husband returned home and Chris and his older half brother William opened fire.
Police arrested the brothers in Henry County after a high-speed chase.
Chris' lawyers and his mother say the shooting was not without reason, and they'll urge the judge to consider the circumstances at his sentencing.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:32:32
((MAX JENKINS/CHRIS GAMMON'S LAWYER: HIS MOTIVATION WAS THAT HE, THIS BOY WAS MISTREATED BADLY BY HIS FATHER, BADLY. ))
SOT 4:20:41
((REGINA BARNES/CHRIS GAMMON'S MOTHER: LOVE MY SON WITH ALL MY HEART AND I BELIEVE IN HIS INNOCENCE. QUESTION: YOU DON'T BELIEVE HE ACTUALLY DID IT? ANSWER: I'M SAYING HE DIDN'T HAVE ANY CHOICE BUT TO DO IT.))
RUNS=:18

Rebecca Gammon, still confined to a wheelchair as a result of her injuries, did not want to comment.
But after seeing her suffer, HER family hopes the brothers receive stiff punishment.
Her sister-in-law believes no matter what his age, Chris knew exactly what he was doing.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:51:30
((MARY HYLTON/REBECCA GAMMON'S SISTER-IN-LAW: HE'S GONNA GET EVERYTHING HE DESERVES AND I HOPE TO SEE IT. ))
RUNS=:05

Chris Gammon confessed to police after his arrest, but his lawyers have kept him quiet since.
Prosecutor Greg Goad hasn't decided whether to make him break that silence.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:55:16
((GREG GOAD/CARROLL CO. PROSECUTOR: NOW THAT HE'S ENTERED THIS PLEA HE DOES WAIVE HIS RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT ON FUTURE OCCASIONS, BUT AT THIS TIME IT'S UNDECIDED. ))
RUNS=:08
SUChris Gammon could be sentenced to three life terms in prison when the judge sets his punishment in November. Willie Gammon is set to be tried for CAPITAL murder in October. Tracy Altizer, News 7 Hillsville.))

7L'burg-Baby

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-48
GRAPHIC=NONE

The search continues in Lynchburg for a newborn baby whose parents may be caught in the middle of a custody battle.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg;

Police were called to this home on Burnt Bridge Road yesterday to check on the welfare of a woman staying there.
Minutes later, the same woman, 30 year old Beverly Renee Wade was involved in an accident on the Route 501 Expressway.
Wade was only slightly injured, but is refusing to tell police where her two- week- old child is.
Fearing the worst, authorities searched the home and the roadway near the accident site, with no success.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 00:50:40
IN Q=So we're still
((CMDR. EUGENE WINGFIELD/LYNCHBURG POLICE: SO WE'RE STILL WAITING TO TALK WITH SOME OTHER FOLKS WHO LIVE AT THIS RESIDENCE WHO ARE ON THEIR WAY BACK TO LYNCHBURG NOW WHO HAD BEEN OUT OF TOWN. AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL FIND OUT WHERE THE WHEREABOUTS OF THE CHILD IS.))
SUPER=01-Cmdr. Eugene Wingfield/Lynchburg Police; :00
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=of the child is.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Police say Wade may be fighting her common- law husband for custody of the baby.
(----------------)

7VA-Tornado

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=mel
TAPE#Net
GRAPHIC=Tornado

Meteorologists may be calling it a a "weak" tornado, but that's not what the pictures show.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Fairfax;

The twister was strong enough to damage dozens of homes in Fairfax last night.
At least five homes were condemned and another 20 declared uninhabitable.
Some 100-thousand were left without power.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
4:01:03 ((IT'S REMARKABLE WHAT MOTHER NATURE CAN DO, IT REALLY IS, YOU COULD CANVAS THE AREA AND SELL ALL THE DAMAGE SHE'S DONE, BUT THEN AGAIN SHE SPARRED HOMES AND DARTED BACK AND FORTH AROUND, IT'S UNBELIEVABLE. ))
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

There were no reports of serious injuries.
(----------------)

7Weather

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

Turning now to the forecast -
Nice weather is store for today.
We're going to see sunny skies with less humid conditions.
Highs will reach around 90 degrees.
It will cool off quite a bit tonight with lows falling into the upper 50s.
The sun will return tomorrow and highs will be in the mid 80s.

55Stalking

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=rjo
TAPE#596-15
GRAPHIC=Domestic Violence

The death of a Roanoke women over the weekend allegedly by her ex-boyfriend is raising question's about the weight of Virginia's stalking laws.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Saturday;

Police say 23-year old Robin Williams was apparently stalked by ex-boyfriend Aquilia Barnette and shot to death in Roanoke.
Domestic violence experts say Virginia's stalking law doesn't always protect victims.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:06:10
IN Q=I don't think
((DARLENE YOUNG/TURNING POINT SHELTER: I DON'T THINK IT DOES. I THINK WE NEED FINE TUNING ON IT. SHE HAS TO PROVE SO MUCH THAT HE REALLY IS GOING TO HURT HER AND IF HE'S STANDING ACROSS THE STREET THAT DOESN'T MEAN HE IS GOING TO BODILY HARM HER.))
SUPER=01-Darlene Young/Turning Point Director;
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=harm her.
(----------------)
PRE-PRO
VO-NAT

Young offers this advice for those who are stalked.
-Notify police immediately.
-Tell family and friends who the stalker is.
-Get a protective order from authorities.
-And join a support group or shelter for additional help.
Young says all calls are anonymous and services are free.
(----------------)

55Tornado

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=mel
TAPE#Net
GRAPHIC=Tornado

A tornado touched down in northern Virginia damaging several homes.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Fairfax;

The twister struck a neighborhood in Fairfax.
At least five homes were condemned and another 20 declared uninhabitable.
Some 100-thousand were left without power.
There were no reports of serious injuries.
(----------------)

55Allen

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=THa
TAPE#96-41
GRAPHIC=Allen

Governor Allen is on the road again this week.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Danville;

Allen stopped at Danville Community College yesterday as part of his statewide "Listening Tour."
The tour is designed to give the Governor a chance to meet voters in communities and towns all across the state.
While at D-C-C-, the Governor fielded questions from students on a variety of topics including education and jobs.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Our traditional
(( ))
SUPER=@Allen; :00
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=in exporting.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Last week, the Governor visited Northern Virginia and the Hampton Roads region.
(-------0---------)

55Family-Store

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#96-40
GRAPHIC=NONE

Townes Furniture has been a landmark in Uptown Martinsville for nearly a century.
But now, Townes is closing for business.
Kimberly McBroom has the story. (/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Townes Furniture
SUPER=03-Martinsville; :00
SUPER=01-Eleanor Leath/Townes Furniture; :24
SUPER=01-Tom Leath/Townes Furniture; :56
SUPER=@Kimberly1; 1:10
RUNS=1:22
OUT Q=News 7, Martinsville

(( Townes Furniture first opened its doors back in 1901.
Since then, it's lasted through two world wars and a fire that destroyed the original structure in 1951.
Eleanor Leath's father rebuilt the store-- continuing the tradition of personalized service and generous credit.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 4:45:38
((ELEANOR LEATH/TOWNES FURNITURE: WHEN THEY HAD THE TOBACCO MARKET, SOMETIMES THE FARMERS DIDN'T GET ENOUGH ON THEIR TOBACCO TO PAY FOR ALL THAT THEY WANTED TO BUY IN FURNITURE-- HE CARRIED THEM OVER TO THE NEXT YEAR. YOU CAN'T SEE THAT HAPPENING NOW. ))
RUNS=:15

Times have changed in the local economy.
Increased competition from larger stores and furniture outlets contributed to the Leaths' decision to close up shop.
At this point, no official closing date is set.
Eleanor's husband, Tom says while consumers may see bigger as better-- the trend has meant a decline in customer service.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 4:57:15
((TOM LEATH/TOWNES FURNITURE: IT'S SO SAD THAT BUSINESS CAN NO LONGER PAY PERSONAL ATTENTION TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. WE KNEW OUR CUSTOMERS BY NAME. THAT WAS ONE OF OUR MOTTOES, "AT TOWNES FURNITURE, YOU'RE A NAME, NOT A NUMBER. ))
RUNS=:13
(/////SOT/////)
SOT standup, 6:05:40
((KIMBERLY MCBROOM/NEWS 7: WHILE MOM AND POP STORES LIKE TOWNES FURNITURE ARE BECOMING A THING OF THE PAST-- THE LEATHS SAY IT'S STILL WORTH THE EFFORT TO VENTURE INTO YOUR OWN BUSINESS, AS LONG AS YOU HAVE PLENTY OF ENERGY AND PLENTY OF ENTHUSIASM. KIMBERLY MCBROOM, NEWS 7, MARTINSVILLE. ))
RUNS=:13
))

55Weather

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

Turning now to the forecast -
A nice day is store today.
We're going to see sunny skies with less humid conditions.
Highs will be around 90 degrees.
It will cool off quite a bit tonight with lows falling into the upper 50s.
The sun will return tomorrow and highs will be in the mid 80s.

8NORFOLK-SOUTHERN

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

A Roanoke jury has awarded 125-thousand dollars to a Norfolk Southern worker who said the railroad's negligence caused him to suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome.
Earl Walker argued that the railroad knew about the dangers of repetitive motion but didn't do anything to protect its employees. Walker was able to return to work after undergoing surgery.

8Gammon

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=tal
TAPE#96-44
GRAPHIC=Gammon

His family and friends are defending him, but a Carroll County teenager still faces up to THREE life terms in prison for the shooting of his father and step- mother.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Hillsville;

17 year- old Christopher Lee Gammon pled "no contest" to charges of murder and aggravated malicious wounding.
Gary Gammon, Senior was shot to death. His wife Rebecca Gammon remains in a wheelchair as a result of bullet wounds to her back.
Chris Gammon's lawyers say they'll ask for leniency in sentencing due to mitigating circumstances.
Even Gary Gammon's oldest son and namesake says his brother shouldn't be blamed.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 4:12:32
IN Q=
((GARY GAMMON, JR.:VICTIM'S SON: PUT IT THIS WAY, I'D RATHER HAVE MY BROTHERS THAN MY DADDY. ))
SOT 3:32:32
((MAX JENKINS/CHRIS GAMMON'S LAWYER: HIS MOTIVATION WAS THAT HE, THIS BOY WAS MISTREATED BADLY BY HIS FATHER, BADLY. ))
SUPER=01-Gary Gammon, Jr./Victim's Son;
SUPER=01-Max Jenkins/Chris Gammon's Lawyer;
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=by his father, badly.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

But after seeing her suffer, Rebecca Gammon's family wants stiff penalties.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:51:30
((MARY HYLTON/REBECCA GAMMON'S SISTER-IN-LAW: HE'S GONNA GET EVERYTHING HE DESERVES AND I HOPE TO SEE IT. ))
SUPER=01-Mary Hylton/Rebecca Gammon's Sister-in-Law;
RUNS=:05
OUT Q=hope to see it.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The judge will sentence Chris Gammon in November.
SUPER=@File;

His older half brother, Willie Gammon is also charged with CAPITAL murder. His trial is scheduled for October.
(----------------)

8L'burg-Baby

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-48
GRAPHIC=NONE

In Lynchburg, a search is underway for an infant that may be part of a custody battle.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg;

Police were called to this home on Burnt Bridge Road yesterday to check on the welfare of a woman staying there.
Minutes later, the same woman, 30 year old Beverly Renee Wade was involved in an accident on the Route 501 Expressway.
Wade was only slightly injured, but is refusing to tell police where her two- week- old child is.
Fearing the worst, authorities searched the home and the roadway near the accident site, with no success.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 00:50:40
IN Q=So we're still
((CMDR. EUGENE WINGFIELD/LYNCHBURG POLICE: SO WE'RE STILL WAITING TO TALK WITH SOME OTHER FOLKS WHO LIVE AT THIS RESIDENCE WHO ARE ON THEIR WAY BACK TO LYNCHBURG NOW WHO HAD BEEN OUT OF TOWN. AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL FIND OUT WHERE THE WHEREABOUTS OF THE CHILD IS.))
SUPER=01-Cmdr. Eugene Wingfield/Lynchburg Police; :00
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=of the child is.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Police say Wade may be fighting her common- law husband for custody of the baby.
(----------------)

8Miss-Virginia

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=spr
TAPE#96-49
GRAPHIC=NONE

Some of the loveliest women in the state have come to pay Roanoke's Grand Old Lady a visit.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

Contestants in the 76th Miss Virginia Pageant arrived at the Hotel Roanoke yesterday in preparation for this week's event.
Officials hope to avoid any controversy...
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Year;
because last year's contest was hardly a thing of beauty.
Andrea Ballangee lost her title after lying on her resume.
That opened the door for Amber Medlin... who called being Miss Virginia a wonderful opportunity.'
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 16:05:31
IN Q=The most
((AMBER MEDLIN/MISS VIRGINIA: THE MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE WAS AFTER I SHARED MY PROGRAM, A LITTLE BOY CAME UP TO ME. HE HAD CEREBRAL PALSY. HE REALLY WANTED TO THANK ME FOR WHAT I WAS DOING. THAT MADE ME FEEL REALLY GOOD INSIDE... THAT I WAS ABLE TO HELP KIDS LIKE THAT. ))
SUPER=01-Amber Medlin/Miss Virginia;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=experienced that;
(----------------)
VO-NAT

This year's pageant will have an Olympics theme.
The competition begins Thursday night at the Roanoke Civic Center.
(----------------)