08:25-01

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SUPER=@Melanie1

7p-o'dell


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=amo
TAPE#597-32
SS=NONE


Despite pleas from Italian politicians and the pope Convicted rapist and murderer Joseph O'dell was executed last night in Jarrett.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Late yesterday afternoon, Governor George Allen denied his request for clemency, and the U-S Supreme Court rejected a stay of execution.
The case even attracted the attention of the European media and Mother Teresa-- who asked that his life be spared.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=So since the

((GIORGIO MORELLI/ITALIAN NEWSPAPER WRITER: SO SINCE THE POPE INTERVENED, THE POPE IN 50 YEARS, HE ASK FOR CLEMENCY ONLY FOR THREE DEATH ROW INMATES. LAST DECEMBER, O'DELL WAS THE THIRD ONE. SO SINCE THE POPE INTERVENED, OKAY, MILLIONS OF ITALIAN PEOPLE WERE SO INTERESTED. SO WE START WRITING ABOUT THIS GUY.))
SUPER=01-Giorgio Morelli/Italian Newspaper Writer;
runs=:21
OUT Q=about this guy.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


In a final statement, O'Dell said yesterday was the happiest day of his life.
O'Dell was married earlier in the day-- to law student and longtime advocate Lori Urs-- she crusaded for four years to prove his innocence.
O'Dell's lawyers claimed D-N-A evidence would clear him in a murder.
Helen Schartner of Virginia Beach was raped and tortured before her death, in 19-85.
(----------------)



7No-Strike


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=lba
TAPE#net (edit of 97-42)
GRAPHIC=Yokohama


No strike -- that's the word coming from the Yokohama tire plant in Salem today as negotiations continue today.
Last night the current labor contract was extended for six more days.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@file;


A source close to the situation tells News 7 that both sides are nearing an agreement.
The official statement says significant progress has been made, but both sides need more time to study the proposals on the table.
While talks will continue, If a new labor contract isn't agreed on by Tuesday, Yokohama workers may strike after all.
(----------------)




7E-Knowles


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#97-41
GRAPHIC=Michael Knowles


Syndicated columnist Ann Landers can rest asured there will be no further action taken in the slander and defamation case filed against her by convicted murderer Michael Knowles.
A federal judge threw out the case last night.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Montgomery Co./File Tape


Knowles was convicted last month of killing his wife... but not before he wrote a letter to the nationally- published advice columnist.
In the letter last February he clearly stated that he took Angie's Knowles life.
Then he sued for slander and defamation when Landers published the letter.
In the newspaper, Landers said it was a "cop out" for Knowles to blame Angie for leaving him for a man she supposedly met on the Internet.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE


Judge James Turk points out Knowles never denied killing his wife.

7E-Clements


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=tte
TAPE#97-38
GRAPHIC=legal scales


A Danville man has pleaded no contest to murder charges.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Yesterday Thirty-four- year- old Frank Edward Clements got a life sentence for murdering Tyrone Dawkins in 19-93.
SUPER=03-Danville/March 1993;


Dawkins body was found behind a Danville middle school.
Clements must also serve two years for using a firearm to commit a felony. He must still stand trial for allegedly shooting ten- year- old Reggie Hutchins in April and robbing a Danville bank five years ago.
(----------------)



7E-Pickup-Fatal


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=jsu
TAPE#97-36
GRAPHIC=legal scales


A Montgomery County mother is facing THREE counts of felony child abuse charges-- after a crash that killed her daughter.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Montgomery Co./May 24;


Treca (Teresa) Rentch's seven- year- old daughter Samantha was riding in the back of a pickup truck when it collided with another vehicle.
The mother was a passenger in the truck at the time.
The driver Christopher Fisher, is facing involuntary manslaughter and other charges.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD


The incident is renewing calls for a law requiring safety restraints for children riding in the back of pickup trucks.
Governor Allen has twice vetoed such a law.

7weather


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


Turning to weather--
A Flash Flood watch is in effect until 11 this morning for parts of southwestern and central Virginia.
Expect periods of rain today, with highs around 80.
Mostly cloudy tonight, with scattered showers tapering off.
Lows in the mid 60s.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=314-Flash Flood Watch/Occasional Rain/78-83/Mostly Cloudy/Showers

Ending/62-66;
SUPER=#555; reset

7BIRTHDAYS 7/25/97
Friday:

SUPER=130-50/Richard Dempsey/Roanoke;



SUPER=130-8/Matthew Humphreys/New Castle;



SUPER=130-/Dusty Rhodes/Roanoke;



SUPER=130-16/Shannon Branche/Glasgow;



SUPER=130-63/Margaret Hatchett/Blairs;



SUPER=130-16/Tiana Martin/Bassett;



SUPER=130-53/Cookie Martin/Roanoke;


Saturday:

SUPER=130-14/Bryan Banks/Vinton;



SUPER=130-1/Loriza Hull/Clifton Forge;



SUPER=130-15/Jamie Hall/Martinsville;



SUPER=130-15/Brian Dillon/Glade Hill;


No Pictures:

(anniversary)
SUPER=130-1st/Anthony & Cassandra Christian/Roanoke;

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SUPER=@Melanie1


55No-Strike


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=lba
TAPE#net (edit of 97-42)
GRAPHIC=Yokohama


A strike has been averted, at least for now, at the Yokohama tire plant in Salem today.
Last night union leaders and company officials extended the current labor contract for six more days.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@file;


A source close to the situation tells News 7 that both sides are nearing an agreement.
The official statement says significant progress has been made, but both sides need more time to study the proposals on the table.
While talks will continue, If a new labor contract isn't agreed on by Tuesday, Yokohama workers may strike after all.
(----------------)




55Execution


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=lba
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=NONE


Joseph O'dell was executed last night for the 19-85 rape, torture and murder of a Virginia Beach woman.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@file;


O'dell claimed he was innocent and his case attracted worldwide attention, including a plea from Pope.
But Governor Allen denied his plea for clemency, and a final request to the Supreme Court for a stay was denied.
Hours before being put to death.. he married a member of his legal team.
(----------------)



55P-Beyer-Gilmore


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=eea
TAPE#597-24
GRAPHIC=campaign 97


Virginia's candidates for Governor hit the campaign trail yesterday with a message
SS=tobacco under fire

about tobacco.
Both men say they'll fight any government effort to cut the number of adult smokers.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Martinsville;


In Martinsville, Don Beyer promised to PROTECT tobacco growers.
The Democrat said he supports government efforts to reduce underage smoking, but adults should have the right to light up, even if it makes them sick.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 9:40:03
IN Q=That's true with

((DON BEYER/D- CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR; BUT, THAT'S TRUE WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS, I NEVER WANT TO INTERFERE WITH AN ADULT'S RIGHT TO MAKE THE KNOWN CHOICE, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE GREAT PLEASURES ASSOCIATED WITH IT TO. LET ADULTS MAKE THE FREE CHOICE AND ACCEPT THE CONSEQUENCES.))
SUPER=@Beyer1;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=accept the consequences
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


Jim Gilmore, was in Roanoke...
The Republican also says he doesn't want the government to reduce the adult market for Virginia's tobacco products.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:44:40
IN Q=I think the people

((JIM GILMORE: R- CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR: I THINK THE PEOPLE HAVE TO DECIDE ON THEIR OWN HEALTH BENEFITS AS TO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO... OUR FOCUS HAS TO BE ON MAKING SURE THE YOUNG PEOPLE DON'T SMOKE, AND WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE WE PRESERVE THE WORKING JOBS OF THE FARMERS OF VIRGINIA.))
SUPER=@Gilmore1
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=farmers of Virginia
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Beyer and Gilmore don't agree on who should restrict underage smoking... Beyer supports F-D-A regulation.
Gilmore opposes it: attempting instead to strengthen state laws against children buying cigarettes.
(----------------)



55weather


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


Checking the Thursday forecast--
A Flash Flood Watch is posted for much of the viewing area until 11 this morning.
Expect occasional rain today, with highs near 80.
The rain will eventually taper off later tonight.
Lows in the mid 60s.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=314-Flash Flood Watch/Occasional Rain/78-83/Mostly Cloudy/Showers

Ending/62-66;
SUPER=#555; reset

cutopen
SUPER=@Melanie1


8p-o'dell


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=amo
TAPE#597-32
SS=NONE


Despite international pleas for his life, 54- year- old Joseph O'Dell was executed by lethal injection last night at the Greensville Correctional Center.

(----------------)
VO-NAT


Late yesterday afternoon, Governor George Allen denied his request for clemency, and the U-S Supreme Court rejected a stay of execution.
The case attracted the attention of the Italian media-- as well as Pope John Paul and Mother Teresa-- who asked that his life be spared.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=So since the

((GIORGIO MORELLI/ITALIAN NEWSPAPER WRITER: SO SINCE THE POPE INTERVENED, THE POPE IN 50 YEARS, HE ASK FOR CLEMENCY ONLY FOR THREE DEATH ROW INMATES. LAST DECEMBER, O'DELL WAS THE THIRD ONE. SO SINCE THE POPE INTERVENED, OKAY, MILLIONS OF ITALIAN PEOPLE WERE SO INTERESTED. SO WE START WRITING ABOUT THIS GUY.))
SUPER=01-Giorgio Morelli/Italian Newspaper Writer;
runs=:21
OUT Q=about this guy.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


In a final statement, O'Dell said yesterday was the happiest day of his life.
O'Dell was married earlier in the day-- to law student and longtime advocate Lori Urs-- she crusaded for four years to prove his innocence.
O'Dell's lawyers claimed D-N-A evidence would clear him in a murder.
Helen Schartner of Virginia Beach was raped and tortured before her death, in 19-85.
(----------------)



8No-Strike


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=lba
TAPE#net (edit of 97-42)
GRAPHIC=Yokohama


Workers at Salem's Yokohama Tire plant will stay on the job, at least for now.
Union leaders and company officials extended the current labor contract for six more days.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@file;


A source close to the situation tells News 7 that both sides are nearing an agreement.
The official statement says significant progress has been made, but both sides need more time to study the proposals on the table.
While talks will continue, If a new labor contract isn't agreed on by Tuesday, Yokohama workers may strike after all.
(----------------)




8E-Knowles


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#97-41
GRAPHIC=Michael Knowles


Convicted murderer Michael Knowles has lost another round in court.
This time it's his defamation claim against columnist Ann Landers.
A federal judge threw it out.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Montgomery Co./File Tape


Knowles was convicted last month of killing his wife... but not before he wrote a letter to the nationally- published advice columnist.
In the letter last February he clearly stated that he took Angie's Knowles life.
Then he sued for slander and defamation when Landers published the letter.
In the newspaper, Landers said it was a "cop out" for Knowles to blame Angie for leaving him for a man she supposedly met on the Internet.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE


Judge James Turk points out Knowles never denied killing his wife.

8E-SWAT-Team


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#97-44
GRAPHIC=NONE


Police work is often dangerous-- but extra tactical training can make the difference between life and death in the line of duty.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Altavista


Thirty officers from around central Virginia have converged on (AL-tavista) Altavista this week for a special operations course offered by the Army's military police school.
They're learning the fine points of drug raids, search warrants and hostage situations.
Police say they need to keep ahead of the criminals who are getting smarter and better armed all the time.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 2:49:48
IN Q=More tv shows

((TERRY HENDERSON/MARTINSVILLE P.D.: MORE T-V SHOWS THAT SHOW POLICE TACTICS, THEY ARE VERY AWARE OF THOSE AND THEY'VE STARTED EMPLOYING THOSE TACTICS ON US. THEREFORE WE HAVE TO TRAIN THAT MUCH MORE TO STAY THAT MUCH ABOVE THE SPECTRUM.)) ((ANDY BOITNOTT/MARTINSVILLE P.D.: A LOT OF NEW OFFICERS DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT. THEY GOT OUT FRESH AND GREEN AND THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF TACTICS. AND SOMETIMES IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT THEY'RE KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY BECAUSE OF BAD TACTICS. SO THIS HELPS OUT IN ALL ASPECTS OF POLICE WORK, NOT JUST SWAT CONCEPTS.))
SUPER=01-Terry Henderson/Martinsville P.D.; :00
SUPER=01-Andy Boitnott/Martinsville P.D.; :13
RUNS=:27
OUT Q=just SWAT concepts.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The program is federally funded and offered free to police departments across the country.
(----------------)



8weather


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


Time now to take a look at the forecast--
More rain on the way today.
Some of it could be locally heavy.
A Flash Flood Watch is posted for parts of southwestern and central Virginia.
Highs today near 80.
Mostly cloudy tonight, with scattered showers ending.
Lows in the mid 60s.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=314-Flash Flood Watch/Occasional Rain/78-83/Mostly Cloudy/Showers

SUPER=#555; reset Ending/62-66;
by SS