[7E-Pritchett]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=AM CUTIN]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=98-8; 53:06]
[GRAPHIC=Pritchett Testimony]

Today the defense begins it's case in the capital murder trial of Livingston "Bud" Pritchett.
But Pritchett's lawyers have already scored some points.
Eric Earnhart reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Bud Pritchett]
[SUPER=01-Sandra Wright/Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney; 11]
[SUPER=01-Tammy Whorley/Witness; 24]
[SUPER=01-Fred Kellerman/Defense Attorney; 37]
[SUPER=01-Neal Turner/Chief Deputy; 57]
[SUPER=@Eric1; 1:15]
[RUNS=1:23]
[OUT Q=EE, News 7]

(("Bud" Prichett says he's NEVER been to the Ironto rest area where Estel Singleton was shot in the head at point blank range two years ago.
[SOT 01:09:09-TAPE 1]
[IN Q=this wasn't an]
((SANDRA WRIGHT THIS WASN'T AN ACCIDENT, THIS WAS WILLFUL, DELIBERATE, AND PREMEDITATED. )) [RUNS :08]
[OUT Q=and premeditated]
[01:22:53]
Prosecutors believe Tammy Whorley saw the killer at the rest area that night, but when she looked across the courtroom at Prichett she said.
[SOT 01:23:06-tape 2]
[IN Q=this man was]
(( TAMMY WHORLEY/WITNESS; THIS MAN WAS A LITTLE, LOOKED LIKE A LITTLE LIGHTER, NOT AS HEAVY )) [RUNS 08]
[OUT Q=not as heavy]

The defense says Prichett FOUND Singleton's credit cards, but didn't steal them, or kill him.
[SOT 01:18:44 tape 1 ]
[IN Q=and bud will tell]
(( AND BUD WILL TELL YOU THAT HE USED THE ATM CARD, BUD WILL TELL YOU THAT HE USED THE CREDIT CARD, BUT BUD WILL CONTINUE TO TELL YOU THAT HE DID NOT TAKE THE LIFE OF ESTEL SINGLETON)) [RUNS 13]
[OUT Q=Estel Singleton]

But what did Pritchett tell police? Deputy Neal Turner testified about a phone call he overheard Pritchett make the night he was questioned.
[SOT 04:11:37-TAPE 4]
[IN Q=he stated that]
(( NEAL TURNER/CHIEF DEPUTY; HE STATED THAT HE WAS AT STATE POLICE HEADQUARTERS CONCERNING THE DEAD MAN AT THE REST AREA, HE STATED THAT "I DIDN'T KILL HIM BUT I JUST TOLD THEM THAT I DID" AND HE STATED THAT WOULD EXPLAIN FURTHER WHEN HE GOT OUT TOMORROW)) [RUNS 17]
[OUT Q=got out tomorrow]
[standup-01:49:21-PRICHETTE STANDUP TAPE]
Prichett will likely be asked to expain that statement if he does take the stand and is cross examined by prosecutors. In Christiansburg, EE, News 7.))

---

[7E-81-Crackdown]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM CUTIN]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-6 54:24]
[GRAPHIC=Speed Crackdown]

The crack down on traffic enforcement on Interstate-81 seems to be paying off.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.]

Two-hundred 90 people were ticketed in the latest crackdown in that part of the highway assigned to the Salem Division of the State Police.
The total number of arrests Sunday from Winchester to Bristol was better than 40-percent below what it was the first time troopers were out in force.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19:30:45]
[IN Q=I've noticed]
[SUPER=01-1st Sgt. Frank Duffy/Va. State Police]
((I'VE NOTICED THE MOTORING PUBLIC HAS SLOWED DOWN QUITE A BIT.))
[RUNS=04]
[OUT Q=quite a bit.]

---

[7E-Melissa-Virus]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM CUTINS]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=99-7 48:48]
[GRAPHIC=Internet]

Checking your email today should take you a little longer than usual because you will want to read over the sender column very carefully.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
["dow 10k/melissa" tape]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Opening an email that says "Important message from..."
And the name of someone you know...
Could infect your computer with a virus called "Melissa."
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:30:30]
[IN Q=this actucally]
((ELTON GHEE/NEW CENTURY TECHNOLOGIES: THIS ACTUALLY IS ONE OF THE FEW VIRUSES THAT DOES NOT CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOUR PC; YOU'RE NOT LOOKING AT LOSING INFORMATION. BUT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH E-MAIL USERS AROUND THE WORLD IS E-MAIL SYSTEMS ARE BEING BROUGHT TO THEIR KNEES.))
[SUPER=01-Elton Ghee/New Century Technologies;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=KNEES]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Melissa copies e-mail addresses from your personal address book, then sends e-mails to 50 people you know. [from lb stock tape 3 at 44:50]
Businesses like General Electric have been infected, and the virus is backing up their e-mail servers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:31:00]
[IN Q=it doesn't sound bad]
((ELTON GHEE/NEW CENTURY TECHNOLOGIES: IT DOESN'T SOUND BAD, BUT IN THE BUSINESS WORLD, IF YOU'RE TRYING TO SEND OUT AN E-MAIL TODAY, IT MAY NOT GO NOWHERE FOR A WHILE OR IF PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO COMMNICATE WITH YOU, YOU MAY NOT BE RECEIVING E-MAILS.))
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=e-mails]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The best way to avoid getting infected is not to open e-mails that appear to be important messages from your friends.

---

[7E-Town-Meeting]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM CUTIN]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-13]
[GRAPHIC=]

Smith Mountain Lake residents held their first town meeting last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]

Some want a retirement home for the lake's large elderly population.
But they're also looking out for the needs of their young folks.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:34:20]
[IN Q=Some facilities]
((SOME FACILITIES LIKE BASEBALL, SOCCER FIELDS, RECREATIONAL FIELDS, BASKETBALL COURTS, THINGS LIKE THAT, PLACES WHERE YOUTH CAN CONGREGATE AND HAVE FUN.))
[SUPER=01-Arthur Strunk/Lake Resident;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=have fun]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Clean water is also a top priority --
A dozen marinas recently changed their leases to FORCE boat owners to seal their tanks, so they can NOT dump sewage into the lake.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:30:52]
[IN Q=Water quality]
((WATER QUALITY IS AS IMPORTANT TO ME AS IT IS TO EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM. SINCE I PURCHASED THE MARINA LAST YEAR MY PUMPOUT FACILITY IS A NEW FACILITY. IT IS FREE TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO USE IT.))
[SUPER=01-Marc deTournillon/Shoreline Marina;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=to use it]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The next so-called town meeting for lake residents will focus on water quality and be held on May 26th.
(------------)

---

[7WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE #=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Turning our attention now to the forecast... expect lots of sunshine today with high temperatures nearing 70 this afaternoon.
The skies stay clear overnight, with lows in the upper 30s.
The next five days look very pleasant...lasting right on through Easter.

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Sunny/Winds Variable 5-10/65-70/Clear/Light Breeze/33-38;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[7BIRTHDAYS!] 3/31/99
Wednesday:

[SUPER=130-74/Opal Brady/Danville]
Anniversary (Same Couple)
[SUPER=130-54th/Opal & Homer Brady/Danville]


[SUPER=130-/Malcolm Perdue/Hardy]


[SUPER=130-5/Jonathan Jones/Salem]


[SUPER=130-/Everett Gusler/Rocky Mount]


[SUPER=130-4/Jordan Watson/Pilot]


[SUPER=130-3/Rebecca Riley/Goshen]

No Pictures
[SUPER=131-24/Bryan Cook/Pulaski]


[SUPER=131-71/Jimmy Wheaton/Snow Creek]


[SUPER=131-/Andria Walker/Martinsville]


[SUPER=131-67/Walter French Parsons/Martinsville]


[SUPER=131-13/Adam Snider/Lexington]

---

[45E-Thorn-Spring]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM CUTINS]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=99-10; 30:38]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Investigation]
Fire fighters are still investigating what caused the blaze that destroyed the Thorn Spring Country Club in Pulaski County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski Co.]

A fire official estimates the damage to the building and contents at more than a million dollars.
The fire was first reported at about 2:30 yesterday morning.
It took six departments more than an hour to bring the flames under control.
No one was hurt.
The Pulaski County sheriff's department is looking into the cause.
(------------)

---

[45E-Lilly]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM CUTINS]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=599-05]
[GRAPHIC=Ben Lilly]

The carjacking and murder of a Virginia Tech student rocked Blacksburg in 1995.
Now, the alleged killer's appeal is raising tought questions for the American legal system.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington DC;]

It's about when hearsay evidence should be allowed in American criminal cases.
[SUPER=03-Giles Co./December 1995; ]

Benjamin Lee Lilly's appeal was heard yesterday before the U-S Supreme Court.
Lilly was convicted in 1996 of the carjacking and murder of Virginia Tech student Alex DeFilippis -- partly on the TAPED testimony from Ben's brother Mark.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 12:15:51]
[IN Q=At the trial]
((CHRISTOPHER TUCK/LILLY'S ATTORNEY: AT THE TRIAL LEVEL, WE OBJECTED TO MARK LILLY'S TAPED STATEMENT BEING PLAYED, BECAUSE WE DIDN'T GET THE CHANCE TO CROSS EXAMINE THAT STATEMENT. PEOPLE SAY IT'S JUST A TECHNICALITY-- NO, IT'S OUR CONSTITUTION. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CONFRONT YOUR ACCUSERS. NO ONE WANTS TO BE TRIED AND POSSIBLY PUT TO DEATH AND NOT BE ABLE TO CONFRONT THOSE WHO ARE DOING THIS ACT.))
[SUPER=01-Christopher Tuck/Lilly's Attorney; ]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=this act.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Several justices today questioned whether Mark Lilly's testimony should have been admitted at all.
Lawyers for the Commonwealth say there was never any evidence that anybody but Ben Lilly committed the slaying.
(------------)

---

[45E-Pughsley]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM CUTINS]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-1 1:26:45]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

Another capital murder trial is underway in Lynchburg, where a teenager faces the death penalty if convicted.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

18-year old Dale Lee Pughsley (PUGS-lee) is charged with the shooting death of 41-year old David W. Robertson last year.
Police call the shooting a drug deal gone bad.
So far, sixteen of the 24 jurors needed have been selected for the jury pool in Pughsley's case.
Opening arguments are expected to get underway today.
(------------)

---

[45E-Melton]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM CUTINS]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=98-83]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

The prosecution has rested in the trial of Denny Melton.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Halifax Co.]

Melton is accused of the murder of Rhonda Stone of Halifax County at her home in the Alton community last August.

[SUPER=04-August 1998]

Stone, a mother of three, was shot through her kitchen window. Witnesses and neighbors placed Melton in the area at the time of the shooting. And experts say glass in his clothing matched pieces from the window.
The trial is expected to end today.
(------------)

---

[45E-Dow]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM CUINS]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=98-78 2:05:20]
[GRAPHIC=Stock Market]

The Dow finally closed at the big 10 magic mark.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]

After weeks of flirting with 10-thousand, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above that milestone yesterday.
It was fueled by investor confidence and strong company earnings.
But some stockbrokers caution investors:
Crossing the 10-thousand-point barrier doesn't mean the stock market will keep going up.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:37:32]
[IN Q=A lot of people]
((TOM DUNKENBERGER: A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE THINKING THE MARKET GOES HIGHER, THEREFORE THEY'RE GOING TO FUEL MONEY INTO THE MARKET. IF THAT DOES NOT COME TRUE, IF THE EARNINGS ARE NOT THERE TO JUSTIFY THESE HIGH VALUATIONS, THEN THEY MAY BE IN FOR A DISAPPOINTMENT.))
[SUPER=01-Tom Dunkenberger/Wheat First Union;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=DISAPPOINTMENT]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

This was the fourth time the Dow actually crossed the 10-thousand-point mark ...
But the first time it remained that high when the closing bell sounded.
(------------)

---

[45E-Boating-Laws]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM CUTINS]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-9 47:07]
[GRAPHIC=Sm. Mt. Lake]

Boaters at Smith Mountain Lake have some new laws to obey.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]

Motorboats can not go above idle speed within 50 feet of docks, boathouses, or people in the water.
Personal watercraft -- or jet skis -- cannot weave through traffic, follow water-skiiers, or turn sharply to spray someone.
Jet-skiiers also must be at least 16 years old, or 14 if they can prove they took a boating safety course.
All rental businesses must provide safety courses -- and even salesmen must pass them.
And from now on, the D-M-V keeps track of people charged with boating drunk.
(------------)

---

[45WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE #=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Shifting gears now to weather--
A beautiful day is on tap for the region, with sunny skies and highs in the upper 60s.
Clear overnight, with a light breeze and lows in the upper 30s.
Looking ahead, the unseasonably warm temperatures will continue.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Sunny/Winds Variable 5-10/65-70/Clear/Light Breeze/33-38;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]

---

[8E-Melissa-Virus]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM CUTINS]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=99-7 48:48]
[GRAPHIC=Internet]

The daily routine of checking E-mail has gotten risky this week...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
["dow 10k/melissa" tape]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Opening an email that says "Important message from..."
And the name of someone you know...
Could infect your computer with a virus called "Melissa."
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:30:30]
[IN Q=this actucally]
((ELTON GHEE/NEW CENTURY TECHNOLOGIES: THIS ACTUALLY IS ONE OF THE FEW VIRUSES THAT DOES NOT CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOUR PC; YOU'RE NOT LOOKING AT LOSING INFORMATION. BUT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH E-MAIL USERS AROUND THE WORLD IS E-MAIL SYSTEMS ARE BEING BROUGHT TO THEIR KNEES.))
[SUPER=01-Elton Ghee/New Century Technologies;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=KNEES]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Melissa copies e-mail addresses from your personal address book, then sends e-mails to 50 people you know. [from lb stock tape 3 at 44:50]
Businesses like General Electric have been infected, and the virus is backing up their e-mail servers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:31:00]
[IN Q=it doesn't sound bad]
((ELTON GHEE/NEW CENTURY TECHNOLOGIES: IT DOESN'T SOUND BAD, BUT IN THE BUSINESS WORLD, IF YOU'RE TRYING TO SEND OUT AN E-MAIL TODAY, IT MAY NOT GO NOWHERE FOR A WHILE OR IF PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO COMMNICATE WITH YOU, YOU MAY NOT BE RECEIVING E-MAILS.))
[SUPER=01-Elton Ghee/New Century Technologies;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=receiving e-mails]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The best way to avoid getting infected is not to open e-mails that appear to be important messages from your friends.

---

[8E-81-Crackdown]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM CUTINS]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-6 54:24]
[GRAPHIC=Speed Crackdown]

It appears that motorists are taking heed to warnings against speeding on Interstate 81.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.]

Two-hundred 90 people were ticketed in the latest crackdown in that part of the highway assigned to the Salem Division of the State Police.
The total number of arrests Sunday from Winchester to Bristol was better than 40-percent below what it was the first time troopers were out in force.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19:30:45]
[IN Q=I've noticed]
((I'VE NOTICED THE MOTORING PUBLIC HAS SLOWED DOWN QUITE A BIT.))
[SUPER=01-1st Sgt. Frank Duffy/State Police]
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=quite a bit.]
(-------------)

---

[8E-Young]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM CUTINS]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-5 57:31]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

When police tried to apprehend the driver of a stolen car Sunday...they got more than they bargained for.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg]

Police say Morris Conward Young tried to elude them on the Interstate by weaving in and out of traffic.
When the 32-year old ex-con from West Virginia finally pulled over, he got out of the car and took off on foot from the shoulder of the highway.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:26:25]
[IN Q=I chased him]
[SUPER=01-Andrew O'Connor/State Police]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=where he was.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

It took two hours to catch up with the suspect.'
Trooper O'Connor says it's all in a days work.
"Con" Young was charged with grand larceny, speeding- -74 in a 65 zone, and driving without a valid license.
(------------)
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19:36:15]
[IN Q=What was going]
((WHAT WAS GOING ON YESTERDAY? I WAS DRINKING TOO MUCH. YOU WERE DRINKING AND DRIVING, BESIDES SPEEDING IN A STOLEN VEHICLE? I CAN'T ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW, SIR, WITHOUT MY LAWYER PRESENT.))
[RUNS= 14]
[OUT Q=my lawyer present.]
(-------------)
[V/O-NAT SOT]

Police believe he may have stolen as many as four vehicles before being stopped around four o'clock Sunday... he told police he was on his way to Louisiana to pick up his daughter.
(------------)

---

[8E-Amherst-Jail]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM CUTINS]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-2 1:09:45]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A hundred-year-old former jail in Amherst may get a reprieve from the wrecking ball.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Amherst]

The 108-year old brick structure stands next to the county's new jail.. it's been vacant for several years.
County supervisors wanted to spend fourteen thousand dollars to demolish the jail, but local preservationists say it can be saved for the same amount of money.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:17:05]
[IN Q=At a time]
((RODNEY TAYLOR/"SAVE THE JAIL" ORGANIZER: AT A TIME WHEN COMMUNITIES ALL ACROSS VIRGINIA ARE FIGHTING, AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE FIGHTING TO PRESERVE THEIR HISTORIC BUILDINGS, IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE FOR US TO HAVE A GOVERNMENT THAT'S ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE AND TEARING THE BUILDING DOWN.))
[super=01-Rodney Taylor/"Save the Jail" Organizer]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=the building down.]
(--------------)
[VO-NAT]

Taylor is now trying to raise about ten thousand dollars to stabilize the building until it can be renovated.
A public meeting will be held next month to gauge support for the project.
(------------)

---

[8WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE #=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Let's take a look now at your sunny Tuesday forecast...
A perfect day to spend your lunch hour outdoors...with highs nearing 70.
Clear tonight, with lows in the mid 30s.
The extended outlook includes the possibility of showers by Thursday..otherwise a mix of sun and clouds and highs in the 70s.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=#555; reset] [SUPER=314-Sunny/Winds Variable 5-10/65-70/Clear/Light Breeze/33-38;]