Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 3, 1994                   TAG: 9408030053
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PILOT                                 LENGTH: Medium

MONTGOMERY MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER

Authorities said Tuesday the woman now says the incident was a misunderstanding and she doesn't want to pursue the charges. Her boyfriend was shooting at a ground hog, not her, she told Commonwealth's Attorney Phil Keith.

Dale Wayne Alderman, 32, of Pilot, also was charged with destruction of county property and using a firearm to commit a felony, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. Authorities were continuing to prosecute the charges despite the girlfriend's explanation.

Deputies went to Brush Creek Road in Pilot after receiving a 911 call Monday night, said Capt. Tom Roseberry. When they arrived, they found Tina M. Deason at a neighbor's house and Alderman nearby. The sheriff's office had also received other calls from community residents about the shooting, according to a news release.

Deason told deputies she called 911 after Alderman arrived at the house where they lived in the 5700 block of Brush Creek, Roseberry said. The woman told officers she heard three shots being fired. Deason then ran toward a neighbor's house but saw Alderman aim a rifle at her and fire a fourth shot, Roseberry said.

A rifle was found in Alderman's car, he said.

Alderman was charged with misdemeanor property destruction because after being put in a patrol car, he began kicking with his feet, causing damage to the left rear door.

Alderman was held in the Montgomery County Jail in lieu of $70,000 bond. His attorney, Ralph Cummings Jr., was to argue for a reduction in bond today. A Sept. 7 hearing has been set in Montgomery County General District Court.|