08:25-01

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SUPER=@Melanie1

7E-Rosser


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=spr
TAPE#97-15
GRAPHIC=Murder Investigation


The murder charges against the grade schooler accused of killing his stepfather were dimissed yesterday.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.


After a 45-minute hearing in Juvenile Court... a judge decided the boy will NOT stand trial.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:25:38
IN Q=I think

((GLENN BERGER/CHILD'S ATTORNEY: I THINK THE COURT MADE A FAIR DECISION HERE. IT WAS PROPER FROM ALL THE FACTS IN THE CASE. I DO BELIEVE THE YOUNG MAN'S INNOCENT. AND IF IT EVER GOT TO THAT ISSUE... IF IT HAD GOTTEN THERE. I BELIEVE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOWN. ))
SUPER=01-Glenn Berger/Child's Attorney;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=been shown
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=04-Franklin News-Post


Four months ago, the boy's stepfather, 55- year- old Bernard Rosser was found dead
SUPER=04-December;

inside the family's Gretna home.
An autopsy showed he died from a severe blow to the head.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD


No one involved in yesterday's hearing would talk about the boy's future.
But authorities outside of the case say the court has now lost its authority to determine where the child lives.

7E-Crawford-Edmonds


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=tal
TAPE#97-12
GRAPHIC=Legal Scales


Meanwhile, A trial WILL be held for two former Virginia Tech football players charged with rape and sodomy.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;


A Montgomery County grand jury yesterday returned indictments against James Crawford and Brian Edmonds.
Their accuser told News-7 the students had a party at their apartment last December and she stayed behind after it was over.
She said the two, whom she considered her friends, took advantage of her while she was drunk.
Crawford and Edmonds are both scheduled for trial September eighth.
(----------------)


7E-Stump


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=eea
TAPE#97-13
GRAPHIC=Stump


What started out as two months has turned into just over two YEARS.
Yesterday Bill Stump began serving the 27 month prison sentence for illegal possession of silencers.
A higher court ruled that Judge Jackson Kiser could NOT depart from federal sentencing guidelines and give Stump only eight weeks behind bars.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


Stump was RE-sentenced yesterday afternoon, with Kiser giving him the minimum sentence allowed by the guidelines.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:28:34
IN Q=I think the case

((DON WOLTHUIS/U.S. ATTORNEY; I THINK THE CASE WENT THROUGH THE SYSTEM AS IT SHOULD. HE HAD HIS DAY IN COURT, HE HAD HIS DAY BEFORE THE 4TH CIRCUIT, AND THE COURT SENTENCE WAS APPROPRIATE UNDER THE RULING OF THE FOURTH CIRCUIT. ))
SUPER=01-Don Wolthuis/Prosecutor
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=the fourth circuit
ANCHOR=Kimberly
SS=HOLD


Stump is serving as his own attorney.
Kiser refused his request to remain free on bond while preparing a Supreme Court appeal, saying Stump should not have any problem filing the appeal from prison.

7S-Bramblett


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#97-17
GRAPHIC=Bramblett, Earl


More psychiatric examinations for accused killer Earl Bramblett.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Salem


Bramblett's has already been evaluated by a psychiatrist hired by his attorneys.
His lawyers say it proves Bramblett is not competent to stand trial for capital murder.
This time Bramblett will examined by the prosecution's medical expert.
The judge ruled yesterday that Bramblett's will be allowed to attend the session.
Bramblett is accused of killing Vinton family of four.
His trial is set to begin in June.
(----------------)



7P-JMU-Murders


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#597-16
GRAPHIC=MURDER INV.


A suspect has been charged in the murder of a J-M-U student and her boyfriend.
The girl's EX-boyfriend was arressted in the killing.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


25- year- old Ann Margaret Olson was shot in the head.
So was 23- year- old Keith O'Connell.
SUPER=03-Harrisonburg/October 1996;


Their bodies were found at O'Connell's Harrisonburg apartment.
Both were J-M-U students.
They had been dating two months.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Kimberly
SS=HOLD


Olson's former boyfriend, 19-96 J-M-U graduate Brent Simmons, has been arrested in Ohio.
Simmons' name immediately surfaced last fall as a suspect.
Olson filed assault charges against him in July of last year after he allegedly threw her down and told O'Connell to "watch his back."

7weather


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


Time now to check the forecast--
Cloudy and damp this morning, look for partial clearing by the afternoon.
Highs in the mid 50s.
Partly Cloudy tonight, with lows in the lower 40s.
And partly sunny skies ahead for tomorrow.
Highs will be warmer, in the mid to upper 60s.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=314-Morning Drizzle/Then Slow Clearing/52-56/Partly Cloudy/Wind NW

5-10/40-44;
SUPER=#555; reset

7BIRTHDAYS!4/25/97
Friday:

SUPER=130-6/Heather Morris/Floyd;



SUPER=130-33/Louise Mines/Hot Springs;



SUPER=130-6/Rachel Sullivan/Roanoke;



SUPER=130-62/Clara Osborne/Gretna;



SUPER=130-39/Johnny Thompson/Christiansburg;



SUPER=130-92/Sylvia Long/Cloverdale;



SUPER=130-13/Jonathan Ingram/Christiansburg;



SUPER=130-8/Celia Allen/Boones Mill;



(Anniversary)
SUPER=130-47th/Reece & Julia Bundy/Bluefield WV;


Saturday:

SUPER=130-52/Albert Webb/Hot Springs; (THIS IS THE SAME PICTURE AS #2)



SUPER=130-47/Patsy Reynolds/Riner;



SUPER=130-1/Leatha Silcox/Riner;



(Anniversary)
SUPER=130-45th/Frank & Kathleen Graham/Christiansburg;



SUPER=130-9/Adam Runkle/Raphine;



SUPER=130-10/Lauren Blackwell/Lexington;



SUPER=130-3/Neil Fox/Moneta;



SUPER=130-65/Janice Eggleston/Moneta;



(Father & Son share same BIRTHDAY!)
SUPER=130-3/Adam Bishop/Roanoke;



SUPER=130-41/Phil Bishop/Roanoke;



SUPER=130-1/Celia Blankenship/Lexington;



SUPER=130-10/Danielle Ayres/Buena Vista;


No Pictures:

SUPER=130-2/Lexis Walters/Altavista;



SUPER=130-11/Erin Simmons/Roanoke;



SUPER=130-7/Diana Burris/North Carolina;



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SUPER=@Melanie1


55E-Red-Cross


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#97-18
GRAPHIC=Floods


The flood waters are slowly receding in Grand Forks, North Dakota this morning, but it's revealing MAJOR damage to homes and businesses.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


North Dakota residents will be getting some help from Roanoke, though.
Yesterday, Red Cross Chapter Manager Tom Brown left for Fargo.
He will help feed or shelter the thousands of residents who were forced to evacuate.
With earlier floods in the Ohio Valley, it's been a busy Spring for the Red Cross.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=We're anticipating this one

((TOM BROWN/CHAPTER MANAGER: WE'RE ANTICIPATING THIS ONE UP IN FARGO TO BE A 10 MILLION DOLLAR JOB JUST FOR THE RED CROSS AND ADDED ON TO THE OTHERS WE'VE HAD, WE'RE PROBABLY LOOKING AT SOMEWHERE AROUND 25 MILLION WHICH IS A LARGE SPRING.))
SUPER=01-Tom Brown/American Red Cross;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=which is a large spring.
ANCHOR=Kimberly
SS=Red cross


A second Red Cross volunteer also left Roanoke yesterday.
Four more will head out later this week.

55E-Mill-Star


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#97-14
GRAPHIC=NONE


The Mill Mountain Star won't be shinning for the next couple of months.
But the lights come back on it will be twinkling brighter than ever.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


Kinsey Crane and Sign Company built the star back in 19-49.
Workmen began the refurbishing work yesterday by removing neon tubing.
By the end of June, the entire structure will also be repainted.
The project will cost the city 60-thousand dollars, but officials say it'll keep the star shining for another 20 years.
(----------------)



55E-Gypsy-Theft


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=eea
TAPE#97-16
GRAPHIC=NONE


Roanoke police are warning residents to watch out for strangers.
They say traveling band of burglars also known as "Gypsies" are targeting the Roanoke area.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


Police say the burglars divide into small teams.
Often a man will drive two women into an upscale neighborhood and drop them off.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 9:45:30
IN Q=one of the females

((SGT. R.L. ARRINGTON/ROANOKE POLICE DEPT.;ONE OF THE FEMALES WILL INVOLVED THE RESIDENTS IN CONVERSATION WHILE THE OTHER ONE SLIPS INTO THE HOUSE AND REMOVES OR LOOTS THE HOUSE OF SILVER, CASH AND JEWELRY. ))
SUPER=01-R.L. Arrington/Roanoke Police Dept.;
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=silver, cash and jewelry
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD


Two such robberies have already occurred.
Arrington says if you're doing yard work or sitting on the porch, make sure all the doors to the house are locked.
He adds, if you see any suspicious activity, call the police.

55weather


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


Turning now to the Thursday outlook--
Clouds this morning, then partial clearing by afternoon.
Look for highs in the mid 50s.
Partly cloudy tonight, with lows in the lower 40s.
Tomorrow looks partly sunny, with pleasant high temperatures in the mid to upper 60s.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=314-Morning Drizzle/Then Slow Clearing/52-56/Partly Cloudy/Wind NW

5-10/40-44;
SUPER=#555; reset

cutopen
SUPER=@Melanie1


8p-Red-Cross


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#97-18
GRAPHIC=RED CROSS


Some local help is on the way to flood victims in the upper Midwest.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


Tom Brown boarded a plane yesterday afternoon on his way to Fargo.
The manager of the Roanoke Valley American Red Cross chapter will help provide food and shelter to thousands of displaced Fargo residents.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=We haven't had the great big

((WE HAVEN'T HAD THE GREAT BIG HURRICANE HUGO OR HURRICANE ANDREW OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BUT WE'VE HAD FLOODING PRETTY MUCH SINCE THE BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY, FIRST IN LOUISVILLE, CINCINATTI AND TENNESSEE AND NOW IN FARGO. SO IT'S BEEN A ROUGH SPRING FOR US.))
SUPER=01-Tom Brown/American Red Cross;
RUNS=:19
OUT Q=rough spring for us.
ANCHOR=Kimberly
SS=hold


Another Red Cross volunteer from Roanoke also flew out yesterday, four more will be dispatched to North Dakota in the next couple days.

8p-Rosser


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=spr
TAPE#597-15
SS=murder inv.


Yesterday a judge ruled the Pittsylvania County boy accused of murdering his stepfather is NOT competent to stand trial.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=04-Franklin News-Post;


55- year- old Bernard Rosser died from a severe blow to the head in December.
SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co./December;


His body was discovered inside his Gretna home after he did not show up for work.
Even though the charges were dismissed, prosecutors reserve the right to charge the child AGAIN.
But the boy's attorney says it's doubtful that will happen.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:24:46
IN Q=That legal

((GLENN BERGER/CHILD'S ATTORNEY: THAT LEGAL POSSIBILITY EXISTS. WHETHER OR NOT THAT COULD BE DONE OR WOULD BE DONE. THAT'S CERTAINLY IS ANOTHER QUESTION. THOUGH, THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS, I WOULD NOT EXPECT THAT TO OCCUR. ))
SUPER=01-Glenn Berger/Child's Attorney;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=to occur
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD


No one would comment on the boy's future.
But now that the case is dismissed, the court loses its authority to determine where the child lives.

8P-Crawford-Edmonds


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=tal
TAPE#97-12
GRAPHIC=Legal Scales


They've been accused of rape and sodomy-- Now former Virginia Tech footbal players James Crawford and Brian Edmonds are headed to court for a trial.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Montgomery Co./File Tape;


A Montgomery County grand jury yesterday returned indictments against them.
Their accuser told News-7 she considered both students to be her friends, but they took advantage of her while she was drunk.
She said the assault took place in Crawford and Edmonds' apartment following a party.
Crawford withdrew from a lawsuit against the woman earlier this year. Edmonds also dropped his suit, but his attorney said he planned to refile it after the N-F-L draft.
(----------------)



8P-JMU-Murders


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#597-16
GRAPHIC=MURDER INV.


Authorities believe a James Madison University student's EX- boyfriend killed her and her CURRENT boyfriend last October.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


25- year- old Ann Margaret Olson and her new boyfriend 23- year- old Keith O'Connell were shot in the head.
SUPER=03-Harrisonburg/October 1996;


Their bodies were found at O'Connell's Harrisonburg apartment.
Both were J-M-U students.
Olson and O'connell had been dating two months.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Kimberly
SS=HOLD


Olson's former boyfriend, 19-96 J-M-U graduate Brent Simmons, has been arrested in Ohio.
Simmons' name immediately surfaced last fall as a suspect.
Olson filed assault charges against him in July of last year after he allegedly threw her down and told O'Connell to "watch his back."

8p-Mill-Star


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#597-12
GRAPHIC=NONE


The Star City won't shine as brightly for the next couple of months.
The Mill Mountain Star will be dark while undergoing some needed repairs.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


Kinsey Crane and Sign Company built the star in 19-49, and yesterday employees began removing the neon tubing.
The entire structure will be refurbished and by the end of June the star will have new neon and a fresh coat of paint.
The project will cost the city 60-thousand dollars and officials say it will keep the star shining for another 20 years.
(----------------)


8weather


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


Shifting gears to weather--
Overcast skies this morning, then partial clearing later on.
Highs will be in the mid 50s.
Tonight looks partly cloudy, with lows in the lower 40s.
Partly sunny for Friday-- with highs warming into the upper 60s.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=314-Morning Drizzle/Then Slow Clearing/52-56/Partly Cloudy/Wind NW

SUPER=#555; reset 5-10/40-44;
by SS