WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 01/28/97

08:25-01

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7-P-Melvin

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cutin
WRITER=tal
TAPE#596-43
GRAPHIC=Greg Melvin

An Assault Charge has been dropped against a former Virginia Tech football player accused of beating up a member of the Tech track team.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Christiansburg;

Just as Greg Melvin was to go on trial the judge dismissed the charge at the request of Montgomery County prosecutor Phil Keith.
Keith said the alleged victim, Hilliard Sumner could not pinpoint Melvin as one of his attackers.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:45:48
IN Q=
((PHIL KEITH/MONTGOMERY CO. PROSECUTOR: THEREFORE WE FELT IT WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF JUSTICE NOT TO PROSECUTE MR. MELVIN. ))
SUPER=01-Phil Keith/Montgomery Co. Prosecutor;
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=prosecute Mr. Melvin.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Melvin, a new father, says he just wants to move on with his life.
His lawyer says it was a case of guilt by association--and it's been hard on Melvin's whole family.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:56:51
IN Q=
((BEV DAVIS/MELVIN'S LAWYER: THEY'RE ALL DISTRAUGHT OVER IT. THEIR NAME HAS BEEN SOILED THROUGHOUT ALL THISS. IT WAS ALL UNFORTUNATED, IT WAS GUILT BY ASSOCIATION AND NOT GUILT BY FACTS OR TRUTH. ))
SUPER=01-Bev Davis/Melvin's Lawyer;
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=facts or truth.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

In a taped conversation with Davis--, Sumner, the alleged beating victim named football players Brian Edmonds, Sean Sullivan, Michael Hawkes and Angelo Harrison as his attackers.
(----------------)

7Leftwich

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=eea
TAPE#96-106
GRAPHIC=Legal Scales

A Roanoke jury will hear more evidence today in a trial alleging police brutality.
Steven Leftwich was convicted for assaulting four police officers.
But he has appealed his conviction claiming he was the victim.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

His attorney says Leftwich was attacked by police officers who ganged up on him after finding marijuana in his car during a traffic stop.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT tape 1 11:34:48
IN Q=9 or 10 officers
((HAROLD BARNES/DEFENSE ATTORNEY; 9 OR 10 OTHER OFFICERS WERE INVOLVED WITH THE BEATING, THE KICKING, THE CLUBBING, OF MR.LEFTWICH AS HE LAY ON THE GROUND DEFENSELESS. ))
SUPER=01-Harold Barnes/Defense Attorney;
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=on the ground defenseless
(----------------)
VO-NAT

But police officers say Leftwich started the fight, and made the situation worse by twice trying to grab an officer's weapon.
(//////SOT/////)
SOT TAPE 4 2:40:49
IN Q=officer Forbes was on his knees
(( EARL WILSON/ROANOKE POLICE DEPT.; OFFICER FORBES WAS ON HIS KNEES FACING NORTH, AND THERE WAS SOMEONE BEHIND HIM PULLING UP ON HIS WEAPON, AND THIS WAS SUCH FORCE I COULD ACTUALLY SEE HIS RIGHT SIDE COMING UP. ))
SUPER=01-Earl Wilson/Roanoke Police Dept.
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=coming up
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The defense will begin presenting its case today.
(----------------)

7C'burg-shoot

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cutin
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#97-2
GRAPHIC=Police Shooting

A Christiansburg woman has filed a five million dollar lawsuit against the city of Christiansburg and one of its officers.
Stella Arcaro was shot in the leg last April when officers arrived at her house after a 9-1-1 call was made.
The shooting reportedly occured after Arcaro stepped out of her back door holding a rifle.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke

Attorney Bill Cruey yesterday filed suit against Officer Alicia Smith and the Town of Christiansburg.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 4:14:03
IN Q=It's our position
((IT'S OUR POSITION IN THIS CASE, YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO DEFEND YOUR HOME. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO POSSES ARMS. AND CERTAINLY A POLICE OFFICER HAS NO RIGHT TO COME UP ON YOUR PREMISES. AND IF THEY DO, THEY CERTAINLY SHOULD IDENTIFY THEMSELVES. SHE, IN THIS SITUATION, HAD EXPRESSLY SAID: "DO NOT SEND POLICE OFFICERS."))
SUPER=01-Bill Cruey/Arcaro's Attorney
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=police officers
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=Lawsuit

The complaint filed in federal court asks five million dollars in damages.

7Saul

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cutin
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#96-104
GRAPHIC=Saul

In Roanoke County, a 20- year old man will spend 42 years behind bars for
the beating death of another young man. (-------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=04-November 1996;

Christopher Saul used two different weapons to fatally beat 26-year-old Christopher Wilson.
The victim had given Saul a ride to the garage where he worked.
Saul took the witness stand to apologize for his actions, claiming Wilson made sexual advances and that prompted him to over-react.
Judge Roy Willett focused on the brutality of the crime, which he said could have supported a capital murder charge.
Saul got 35 years to serve on the first-degree murder conviction, plus 7 years for the robbery.
(----------------)

7SWatch

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=sly
TAPE#None
GRAPHIC=School Information

We have a couple of school announcements to pass on to you this morning. Take Schoolwatch Board
Bath County is delayed one hour.
And a one hour dealy in Highland County.

7weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cut-in
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Taking a look at today's forecast.
The rain should end later this morning, and give way to mostly sunny skies.
Highs will climb into the 40's.
Nightime lows will drop into the upper teens.
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Diminishing/15-20;
SUPER=#555;Reset
7BIRTHDAYS! 01/29/97

SUPER=130-9/Jonathan Hodge/Martinsville;

SUPER=130-11/Paige Birdsall/Chatham;

SUPER=130-57/IreneCaravan/Buena Vista;

SUPER=130-7/Collin Trigg/Vinton;

SUPER=130-/Crystal Dudley/Moneta;

SUPER=130-/Bobby O'Dell/Patrick Springs;

SUPER=130-5/Jason Weeks/Lofton;

SUPER=130-10/Kevin Richardson/Danville;

SUPER=130-3/Marshall Conner/Lexington;

SUPER=130-3/Kelsi Arrington/Rocky Mount;

SUPER=130-9/Michael Moore/Roanoke;

No Pictures:

SUPER=130-6/Amanda duncan/Bland;

SUPER=130-/Rodger Moyers/Monterey;

(Anniversary)
SUPER=130-9th/John & Lynn Whittaker/Dublin;

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55Melvin

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cutin
WRITER=tal
TAPE#96-107
GRAPHIC=Greg Melvin

A former Virginia Tech has been cleared of assualt charges.
Greg Melvin would've been the first in a group of present and former players to stand trial for a campus fight.
Tracy Altizer reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=I feel good
SUPER=03-Christiansburg; :03
SUPER=01-Phil Keith/Montgomery Co. Prosecutor; :16
SUPER=@Tracy1; :55
RUNS=1:10
OUT Q=Altizer, News 7.
((/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:50:10
((GREG MELVIN: I FEEL GOOD, I CAN GET ON WITH MY LIFE NOW. ))
RUNS=:03

For Greg Melvin, life includes a new baby, and he hopes a return to Tech next semester.
The judge was prepared to try Melvin for assault and battery until Montgomery County prosecutor Phil Keith asked to dismiss the case.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:45:34
((PHIL KEITH/MONTGOMERY CO. PROSECUTOR: MR. SUMNER HAS PROVIDED INFORMATION THAT IN FACT HE IS NOT SURE BEYOND A DOUBT IN HIS MIND THAT MR. MELVIN WAS INVOLVED IN THE ATTACK ON HIM. ))
RUNS=:10

Hilliard Sumner, the alleged beating victim told Melvin's lawyer in a taped conversation he thought Melvin might be charged in his companion Jonathan Nelson's attack, but not his.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:53:49
((VOICE OF HILLIARD SUMNER: I MEAN I'M NOT TRYING TO JUST THROW PEOPLE WHEREVER JUST BECAUSE IT'S COOL TO DO. I MEAN, HE DIDN'T DO IT AND I KNOW THE FOUR PEOPLE THAT DID AND THOSE WERE THE FOUR PEOPLE THAT GOT CHARGED. 3:53:06AND THAT WAS BRIAN EDMONDS, SEAN SULLIVAN, MICHAEL HAWKES AND ANGELO HARRISON. ))
RUNS=:16

Harrison still awaits trial on a felony attempted malicious wounding charge stemming from the fight.
The others, along with Cornell Brown, Tyron Edmond and Nathaniel Williams are charged with assault and battery.
Prosecutor Keith says he DOES plan to proceed with those cases.
Tracy Altizer, News 7.

55Symphony

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cutin
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#97-5
GRAPHIC=Roanoke Symphony

You'll soon be able to take home the sounds of the Roanoke Symphony.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape;

During a concert last night at the Civic Center Auditorium, Conductor David Wiley announced plans for a live recording of Beethoven's Symphony Number 9.
The performance, and recording session, which will also include the Roanoke Valley Choral Society, are scheduled for April 28th.
A grant from Symphony Society Board member Eldon Grover will make it possible to record the concert. Cassettes and CDs should be available by summer.
(----------------)

55SWatch

55weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cut-in
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Now shifting gears to today's weather-- you can expect the rain to taper off later this morning.
Skies will turn mostly sunny, with high temperatures climbing into the low 40s and gradually falling through the day.
Tonight's lows will be down into the upper teens.
Tomorrow looks sunny early, then increasing cloudy with highs in the mid 30s.
SUPER=X5000;set dissolve
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Diminishing/15-20;
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8-P-Leftwich

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cutin
WRITER=eea
TAPE#596-44
GRAPHIC=Legal Scales

A Roaonke man who was convicted last year of assaulting four police officers, is asking a jury to overturn that conviction, claiming his was the one that suffered injury.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

Steven Leftwich and a friend were driving through Roanoke when they were pulled over for having a broke tail light.
An officer asked Leftwich to step outside of the vehicle after finding marijuana.
Officer Anthony Forbes says Leftwich then tried to grab his gun.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
((ANTHONY FORBES/ROANOKE CITY POLICE: I WAS SCARED. -QUESTION- WHAT WENT THROUGH YOUR MIND WHEN YOU REALIZED THAT MR. LEFTWICH'S HAND WAS ON YOUR GUN? THE SAFETY OF THE OTHER OFFICERS AND MYSELF, THE GUN IS LOADED AN NOT TOO MANY SAFTY DEVICES TO HOLD THAT WEAPON WHERE IT IS.))
SUPER=01-Anthony Forbes/Roanoke Police Officer;
runs=:15
OUT Q=where it is
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Leftwich's attorney questioned the officer's motives for stopping him, asking one officer, "were you looking for a fight?"
He says Leftwich was the REAL victim that night.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT tape 1 11:34:47
IN Q=9 or 10 other officers
((HAROLD BARNES/DEFENSE ATTORNEY; NINE OR TEN OTHER OFFICERS WERE INVOLVED WITH BEATING, KICKING, CLUBBING OF MR. LEFTWICH, AS HE LAY ON THE GROUND DEFENSELESS;))
SUPER=01-Harold Barnes/Defense Attorney;
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=on the ground defenseless
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The defense presents its case today.
(----------------)

8-P-Campbell-Shooting

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cutin
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#596-46
GRAPHIC=shooting

In Amherst County a fight ends with gunfire.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Campbell Co.;

At about 7:15 yesterday morning, deputies were called to this trailer on Route 6-73 near Evington.
They found the victim, 38-year-old Edward Lee Miller of Madison Heights, on the ground suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Miller was taken to Lynchburg General Hospital, his injuries do not appear life-threatening.
28-year-old Kevin Lewis Epperson was arrested at the scene.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:09:44
IN Q=Yes he was
((CAPT. MIKE HARRIS/CAMPBELL CO. SHERIFF'S DEPT.: YES, HE WAS STILL ON THE SCENE AND AGAIN WE SEIZED NUMEROUS ITEMS OF EVIDENCE, TO INCLUDE SOME FIREARMS. HE WAS CHARGED WITH MALICIOUS WOUNDING AND USE OF A FIREARM IN COMMISSION OF A FELONY.))
SUPER=01-Capt. Mike Harris/Campbell Co. Sheriff's Dept.; :00
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=commission of a felony.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Epperson is being held without bond, he's scheduled to appear in court today.
(----------------)

8Gilmore

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cutin
WRITER=equ
TAPE#96-109
GRAPHIC=Jim Gilmore

One of the likely candidates for governor of Virginia takes a stand on one of the year's most controversial pieces of legislation.
Attorney General, and Republican, Jim Gilmore calls the parents' rights amendment harmless.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond;

Actual debate of the amendment was put off for another day in Virginia's Senate.
But Gilmore has weighed in on the side of the Christian Coalition and the Family Foundation.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 02:37:35
IN Q=The law
((JIM GILMORE/VA. ATTORNEY GENERAL: THE LAW HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT ALL OF THESE PROTECTIVE DEVICES FOR CHILDREN REMAIN IN PLACE, ESPECIALLY UNDER LANGUAGE LIKE THIS. AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE STAND UP FOR THE PARENTS OF VIRGINIA AND MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO RAISE THEIR CHILDREN PROPERLY AND REASONABLY.))
SUPER=@Gilmore
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=reasonably.
TALENT=Melanie
SS=Session 97

The amendment would guarantee parents the fundamental right to direct the upbringing and education of their children.
Critics -- who are mostly Democrats -- say it could invite a firestorm of lawsuits against teachers and social workers over issues such as school curriculum and child abuse.
Democratic candidate for governor Don Beyer opposes the bill in its present form.

8Bikeways

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cutin
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#97-6
GRAPHIC=NONE

More bikeways are on the drawing board for the Roanoke Valley.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

There is little room to spare along many of the Valley's major roadways.
Regional Planners believe bicycles can help the area minimize traffic congestion and pollution, if the area can develop a safe and useful network of bikeways.
(/////////////)
SOT
IN Q=And we found
((BARBARA DUERK/ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER: AND WE FOUND THAT THE AVERAGE BICYCLE RIDER IN VIRGINIA IS OVER 50 YEARS OLD, SO THERE'S A LOT OF US BABY BOOMERS OUT THERE THAT ARE FINDING BICYCLING FOR RECREATION AND TRANSPORTATION TO MEET OUR NEEDS.)) ((DON MANKIE/BICYCLIST: OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY DO IT. OTHER PARTS OF EUROPE, ASIA IT'S DONE. WE HAVE TO MAKE A COMMITMENT TO DO IT.))
SUPER=01-Barbara Duerk/Advisory Committee Member; :00
SUPER=01-Don Mankie/Bicyclist; :14
RUNS=:20
OUT Q=a commitment to do it.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;

The plan is ultimately headed to local governments for their approval.
The bikeways would be built in phases over the next 20 years.
(----------------)

8SWatch

8weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Mornin
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Turning now to weather, this rainy morning will turn into a mostly sunny afternoon.
You can expect highs to warm up into the low 40s, then cooling off into the teens by tonight.
Tomorrow's forecast looks sunny early.
Then the clouds will roll in by afternoon, with highs in the mid 30s.
SUPER=X5000;set dissolve
SUPER=314-Rain Ending/Clearing & Breezy/40-44/Clear & Cold/Winds
SUPER=#555;Reset Diminishing/15-20;