Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 11, 1994 TAG: 9408110076
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A13 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WEDOWEE, ALA. LENGTH: Medium
State Fire Marshal John Robison said the draft report from a special federal arson investigation team determined the weekend fire at Randolph County High School was intentionally set.
There were no immediate arrests, and Robison said authorities had no suspects.
Also Wednesday, the Justice Department and School Board attorneys reached a preliminary agreement that could settle a racial discrimination complaint against the rural school system.
Earlier in the day, a tearful ex-principal Hulond Humphries broke his public silence, denying he hit a black cameraman. He refused to comment on his February remarks in which he threatened to cancel the prom if interracial couples attended, polarizing racial relations in this eastern Alabama community.
Cheered by supporters, Humphries read a statement but avoided reporters' questions.
``I now hope the media will use your strong influence to help us reunite our community and restore peace ...,'' he said Wednesday. ``Wedowee has suffered enough.''
Humphries, 55, said it was difficult to give up the job of principal he had held for a quarter-century, but felt it was best for his family and the community. The School Board voted Monday to reassign him to an office job overseeing the rebuilding of the school.
The 680-student school is about 38 percent black.
Humphries said he was sorry if the cameraman, Bill Gill of WVTM-TV in Birmingham, was injured when confronted early Saturday while filming Humphries during the effort to put out the fire. Gill, who is black, claims the white principal led others who knocked him to the ground. He said he would sue.
``As Mr. Gill knows, I never touched him. I never touched his camera,'' Humphries said.
by CNB