WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 05/30/97

12:00-01

NOON-HEADLINES

TALENT=Melanie
SS=None
(----------------)
VO-NAT

It's the jury's turn in the Oklahoma City bombing trial.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie

And a high-profile physician gets the boot from Carilion.
(/////////////)
TALENT=Kimberly
SS=None

Cloudy, but mild as we head into the weekend--
But southerly winds will boost temperatures into the lower 70s.
The complete weekend outlook is coming up.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

News 7 at Noon is next.

Fence

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=ok trial

Just five weeks after opening statements, the Oklahoma City bombing trial is in the hands of the jury.
The seven men and five women began deliberating the fate of Timothy McVeigh less than 30 minutes ago.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Oklahoma City, OK;

Even though the trial is in Denver, the impact of the verdict will perhaps be felt the most in Oklahoma City.
Hundreds of people still flock to the fence that now stands around the bomb site.
Many of the survivors-- as well as relatives and friends of the victims-- say that no matter what the verdict is, they will still come to the fence because that's where it began and that's where it should end.
Dave Fehling joins us with more on the trial from Denver.
(----------------)
WIPE/WIPE/WIPE

ok-jury

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=WIPE WIPE WIPE

****Take from NEWSPATH****
SUPER=05-Denver, CO;
SUPER=01-Dave Fehling/Reporting;
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
11:30-UPDATE WINDOW
SUPER=03-Denver, CO;
SUPER=01-
RUNS=:00
OUT Q=CBS NEWS, BACK TO YOU.
((
THE LAWYERS WHO --ON BOTH SIDES--HAVE SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON THE MC-VEIGH CASE NOW MUST WAIT TO SEE WHAT 12 JURORS THINK. THIS MORNING, JUDGE RICHARD MATSCH FACED THE JURY, EXPLAINING THE LAW AND HOW IT APPLIES TO THE MAN ACCUSED OF BEING AMERICA'S MOST DEADLY DOMESTIC TERRORIST.
YESTERDAY, BOTH SIDES GAVE THEIR FINAL AND MOST PERSUASIVE ARGUMENTS.
THE GOVERNMENT PROSECUTOR, POINTING AT MCVEIGH, SAID "THAT FRESH-FACED YOUNG MAN OVER THERE IS A MASS MURDERER."
HE SAID THE PROOF WAS IN THE EVIDENCE, NOT THE EMOTION. PROSECUTORS POINTED TO MCVEIGH'S HANDWRITING ON THE FORM TO RENT THE RYDER TRUCK, HIS ARREST OUTSIDE OKLAHOMA CITY, THE BOMB RESIDUE ON HIS CLOTHES.
IF MCVEIGH WASN'T THE BOMBER, THE PROSECUTOR SAID, HE WAS THE UNLUCKIEST MAN IN THE WORLD. THE DEFENSE COUNTERED THAT KEY PROSECUTION WITNESSES--MCVEIGHS
FRIENDS THE FORTIERS---WERE LYING, THAT THE F-B-I LAB COULDN'T BE TRUSTED,
AND THAT THE REAL BOMBER WAS BLOWN UP IN THE BLAST...AN EXTRA LEG IN THE MORGUE PROVED IT, MCVEIGH'S LAWYER SAID. BUT THE DEFENSE FAILED TO PROVIDE JURORS WITH AN EXPLANATION FOR WHY MCVEIGH WAS CAUGHT ON A SECURITY CAMERA NEAR THE TRUCK RENTAL BUSINESS AND WHY HE WAS DRIVING NORTH OUT OF OKLAHOMA CITY A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR AFTER THE BLAST.

(STDUP)S/DAVE FEHLING, CBS NEWS DENVER
"JURORS WILL WEIGH THE EVIDENCE KNOWING THAT IF THEY FIND MCVEIGH GUILTY, THEIR NEXT DECISION WILL BE WHETHER MCVEIGH SHOULD BE EXECUTED. BY LAW, BOTH DECISIONS HAVE TO BE UNANIMOUS. DF CBS NEWS DENVER."))

Megan-Trial

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=legal scales

The jury has reached a verdict in the case that spawned Megan's Law.
Jesse Timmendequas (tih-MEHN'-deh-kwas) is accused of raping and strangling seven- year- old Megan Kanka in 19-94.
Timmendequas -- a twice convicted sex offender -- could face the death penalty if convicted.
The verdict will be read shortly.
We'll have the latest as soon as it becomes available.

Knowles

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=aje
TAPE#net (edit of 597-24 & 97-35)
GRAPHIC=Michael Knowles

Yesterday, a Montgomery County jury found Michael Knowles guilty of killing his wife and attempting to kill a police officer.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Christiansburg; :

The jury recommended a sentence of life PLUS 83- years.
Knowles showed no emotion as the verdicts were read.
But his daughter and son embraced and said they were thankful the case was finally over.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=It's been a long
((JOHN MICHAEL KNOWLES/KNOWLES' SON: IT'S BEEN A LONG ARDUOUS PROCESS, BUT I THINK IT'S MADE US REALIZE WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO US AND IT'S MADE US REALIZE THAT TOGETHER WE CAN GET THROUGH ANYTHING. AND IT IS IN A SENSE A CLOSURE. I THINK IT'S SOMETHING WE ALL NEEDED, TO BE ABLE TO GO ON.)) ((VANESSA KNOWLES/KNOWLES' DAUGHTER: JUST START A NEW LIFE AND GO ON THE WAY OUR MOM WANTED US TO IN THE FIRST PLACE, BECAUSE NOW SHE CAN REST AND WE CAN REST TOO.))
RUNS=:27
OUT Q=we can rest, too.
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VO-NAT

The verdicts brought two more motions for a mistrial, but judge Ray Grubbs denied the defense request.
That means Michael Knowles will return to the courthouse in July for formal sentencing.
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Yes-Megan's-Law

ANCHOR=melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=aje
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=legal scales

A jury has found Jesse Timmendequas guilty of killing seven- year- old Megan Kanka.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Trenton, NJ;

Cosby-Pretrial

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=legal scales

Los Angeles prosecutors will not seek the death penalty in the Ennis Cosby murder case.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

Prosecutor Anne Ingalls made that announcement this morning during a hearing in Los Angeles.
Ukrainian immigrant Mikail Markasev was arrested in March, two months after 27- year- old Ennis Cosby was shot to death near a Los Angeles freeway.
(----------------)

Army-SEX

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=none

A sentencing hearing is under way for another Army drill sergeant convicted of sexual misconduct.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

Yesterday a military jury found staff sergeant Vernell Robinson guilty of having sex with five female trainees at the Aberdeen proving ground.
Meantime, the nation's first female bomber pilot is a civilian.
Kelly Flinn was discharged from the Air Force yesterday.
She agreed to a general discharge rather than face a court-martial.
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Sierra-Leone

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=none

The American embassy has shut down in the west African nation of Sierra Leone as fighting from a weekend coup intensifies.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-London;
4:11:38
U-S citizens are being urged to leave.
Britons, Americans and other foreigners arrived in London early this morning.
Meantime, some Americans are being transported by military helicopters to a Navy warship.
Last night the rebels who overthrew the government of Sierra Leone ordered all the borders closed and banned foreign aircrafts from entering the country's air space.
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Carilion

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=carilion

The Carilion Health System has fired a high- profile physician.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape;

Its only comment on the dismissal of Doctor Kenneth LeGree Hallman is that it's a personnel issue, and that no patient was ever endangered by him.
Five years ago Hallman led an effort to provide basic health care to an unserved minority community in Roanoke, with the opening of the Northwest Medical Center.
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=hold

At times, personal problems diverted his attention from the practice.
In 19-93 he was treated for drug and alcohol abuse, and three years ago he plead no contest to charges of fraudulently obtaining sleeping pills.
Hallman was not available for comment.

E-Payne-Tobacco

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=equ
TAPE#97-30
GRAPHIC=Tobacco

A secret deal is being negotiated between representatives from 30 states the tobacco companies.
But some question remains over whether Virginia is part of it.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Caroline Co./Wednesday;

Former Congressman and Lieutenant Governor candidate L-F Payne wants the state at the table.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:43:00
IN Q=I'm not being
((L.F. PAYNE/D-CANDIDATE FOR LT. GOVERNOR: I'M NOT BEING CRITICAL OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. I JUST THINK AT THIS TIME, GIVEN WHAT I'M HEARING AND THE SPEED WITH WHICH THESE NEGOTIATIONS SEEM TO BE PROGRESSING, IT'S TIME THAT VIRGINIA WAS REPRESENTED AT THE TABLE AS THESE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD.))
SUPER=@Payne;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=move forward.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Payne says he does NOT think Virginia should join the health lawsuits against the tobacco companies.
But he says tobacco farmers tell him they want to be part of the talks.
Governor George Allen says there IS someone speaking for Virginia.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 16:19:04
IN Q=I'm not
((I'M NOT SAYING THAT PHILIP MORRIS'S INTERESTS AND THE INTERESTS OF VIRGINIA ARE ENTIRELY PARALLEL, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF INTERESTS THAT ARE VERY SIMILAR AND VIRGINIA'S POSITION LEGALLY IS CONSISTENT WITH PHILIP MORRIS AND TOBACCO FARMERS WHO SAY WE OUGHT TO SOMEHOW GET AT THE TABLE. BUT WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT THEY COME UP WITH. BUT OUR POSITIONS AND VIRGINIANS IS PRETTY WELL KNOWN.))
SUPER=@Allen;
RUNS=:20
OUT Q=well known.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=none

Attorney General Jim Gilmore apparently has NOT briefed the Governor.
Gilmore says through a letter to Payne that "for weeks now, non-suing states HAVE had representation at the negotiations."
He declined to provide details.

S-Beyer

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#97-26
GRAPHIC=Campaign 97

Loudon County's school superintendent is telling principals across the state to beware of politicians on the campaign trail.
SS=Don Beyer

Edgar Hatrick says he felt Lieutenant Governor Don Beyer went too far last week when he asked seniors in a government class for their votes this November.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg

Beyer was in Lynchburg yesterday, speaking to another government class, this one at E.C. Glass High School.
He did NOT ask for their votes... instead he only urged them to REGISTER and vote.
Beyer also asked the seniors to consider a career in teaching... he says the quality of Virginia's schools depends on its educators.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 1:39:01
IN Q=I'm also finding
((LT. GOV. DON BEYER: I'M ALSO FINDING THAT THERE'S A REAL HUNGER FOR COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION REFORM, TO MAKING OUR SCHOOLS THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY. THE ECONOMY'S CHANGING AT LIGHTNING SPEED AND I THINK MOST OF US UNDERSTAND THAT THE ONLY WAY WE CAN THRIVE IS TO GET A REALLY GOOD EDUCATION.))
SUPER=@Beyer1;
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=really good education.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Beyer fielded a number of questions from the students on the new standards of learning and state funding of education.
He told the college- bound seniors he supports extending Virginia's tuition freeze for another two years.
(----------------)

E-OM-Team

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sta
TAPE#=97-25
GRAPHIC=NONE

Students from Crystal Spring Elementary combined brains and brawn.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

They're testing a science project they hope will stack-up against world-class competition.
The wooden base weighs only 35 grams but is able to support six-hundred 65 pounds.
The youngsters will present the structure as part of the Odyssey of the Mind science competition next week.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 16.10.22 - 16.10.32
IN Q=Everything you see
((MICHELE MCLEOD/CRYSTAL SPRING ELEM. TEACHER: EVERYTHING YOU SEE IS THE BRAINCHILD OF THE CHILDREN. THEY'VE MADE EVERYTHING, DONE EVERY PART OF PAINTING. THEY'VE WRITTEN THE SCRIPT AND PUT TOGETHER THE ENTIRE PRESENTATION YOU SEE.))
SUPER=01-Michele McLeod/Crystal Spring Elem. Teacher
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=presentation you see
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Next the students will head-off to the University of Maryland for the world competition.
(----------------)

GROWIN'-IT

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=PEV
TAPE#97-32
GRAPHIC=growin' it

Tomatoes, as well as other vegetables, have suffered through a cooler than normal spring, and many folks are wondering what they can do to help their plants along.
Patrick Evans has this week's installment of Growin' It, with some great advice for the tomato grower.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=You're looking at
SUPER=@Patrick1; :05
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :10
SUPER=01-Al Rodeck/Former Master Gardener; :21
RUNS=1:24
OUT Q=Growin' It.
WEATHER
SUPER=300-65/73/Calm/30.23F/93/1969/44/1979;
SUPER=301-69/59/Variable 3/30.23F/95/1895/44/1902;
Forecasts
SUPER=X5000;
SUPER=330-Mostly Cloudy/Light Rain Late/55-59/Cloudy,/Showers Likely/70-75;
SUPER=331-Lingering Clouds/Chance of Rain/55-59/Showers,/Storms
Possible/72-76;
SUPER=332-Mostly Cloudy/Rain Overnight/55-59/Rain &/Thunderstorms/65-69;
SUPER=333-Mostly Cloudy/Light Rain Late/52-56/Rain Likely/Maybe a Storm/70-74;
SUPER=334-Partly Cloudy/Showers Late/50-55/Showers &/Thunderstorms/65-69;
SUPER=X5001;

E-New-Century

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#97-22
GRAPHIC=None

Small business incubators can help companies in need.
They're growing in popularity across Virginia- giving businesses low cost leases and shared services.
Len Besthoff updates us on progress at the Roanoke Valley's incubator, which has been up and running for nearly a year.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=It has
SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00
SUPER=01-Lisa Ison/New Century Venture Center; :07 (VERY QUICK!!)
SUPER=01-Rick Pingry/Digital Allusions; :28
SUPER=@Len1; 1:05
RUNS=1:15
OUT Q=LB, News-7.

(( It has been a busy time for the Roanoke Valley's small business incubator, known as the New Century Venture Center.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:37:02
IN Q=We have
((LISA ISON/NEW CENTURY VENTURE CENTER: WE HAVE FIVE NEW TENANTS THAT HAVE MOVED IN, OR ARE IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING IN, WITHIN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. ))
RUNS=:05
OUT Q=two weeks.

The groups relocating range from public/private ones like The New Century Council, to up and coming businesses like Digital Allusions. Nat Sot from Demo Tape
RUNS=:05
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:17:52
IN Q=With Digital
((RICK PINGRY/DIGITAL ALLUSIONS: WITH DIGITAL ILLUSIONS, I MAKE 3-D ANIMATIONS, VIDEO POST PRODUCTION, SPECIAL EFFECTS, MULTIMEDIA, AS WELL AS WHAT I'M REALLY EVENTUALLY WANTING TO GET INTO IS DOING SOME INTERACTIVE C-D ROM PRODUCTION. )) RUNS:11
OUT Q=CD ROM production.

The New Century Venture Center will soon have 10 occupants, taking up about a third of its space.
It was hoping HALF the space would be in use by its one year anniversary.
But like the new businesses moving in, the New Century Venture Center has a lot to learn, like the fact that many of these startups just don't need a lot of room right off the bat.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:38:51
IN Q=We're
((ISON: WE'RE REAL HAPPY. THAT JUST SHOWS THAT WE CAN HELP A LOT MORE COMPANIES AT THE SAME TIME.))
RUNS=:05
OUT Q=same time.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:01:05
IN Q=And the
((And the next few months could be busy ones as well here at the New Century Venture Center, because right now it's in the process of talking to two- to- three new prospects, one of them being a high tech company. Len Besthoff, News-7.))
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=LB, News-7.))

NBA

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#net (edit of S7-7)
GRAPHIC=NBA PLAYOFFS

An estimated 15-thousand fans turned out to welcome the Utah Jazz back from the Western Conference win in Houston last night.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Houston, TX/NBC; :00

Clyde Drexler takes it down the lane with the flying jam as the Rockets take the early advantage.
The Jazz would answer with a three pointer from Bryon Russell.
The Rockets appeared to have the game in hand until late in the fourth when the Jazz came back and capped the victory with John Stockton's 3 pointer
SUPER=32-Utah/103/Houston/100/Jazz Wins 4-to-2;
at the buzzer.
The Jazz wins the West 4 games to 2 with the 103-to-100 win.
(-------------)

Region

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#net (edit of S6-27)
GRAPHIC=REGIONALS

Glenvar, Grayson County, John Battle and Bath County braved the elements in the Region C semi-finals last night.
Steve Mason and photographer Greg Moore have the highlights from cold and rainy Casey Field.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=FIRST AUDIO
SUPER=03-Covington/Bath Co. vs. John Battle; :00
SUPER=01-Kevin Via/Bath Co. Head Coach; :16
SUPER=34-John Battle/7/Bath Co./1; :40
SUPER=01-Jimmy King/John Battle Head Coach; :45
SUPER=04-Glenvar vs. Grayson Co.; 1:06
SUPER=34-Grayson Co./8/Glenvar/0; 1:30
SUPER=@steve1; 1:34
RUNS=1:43
OUT Q=...NEWS 7 SPORTS."
(-------------)

Elephant

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=lba
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=none

And finally..
Maybe they can't play baseball, but some elephants at a Los Angeles Zoo have learned a new trick.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA;

Gripping paint brush with their trunks, the elephants can now make the canvas come alive.
While one artistic pachyderm has taken to the new art, the other may need a little more practise or the trainers may soon become its canvas. (----------------)