ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, December 5, 1996             TAG: 9612050070
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL   PAGE: A-4  EDITION: METRO 

IN THE NATION

Gay man's killer gets 25-50 years

PONTIAC, Mich. - A man who killed a gay admirer who had revealed his crush and hugged him on the ``Jenny Jones Show''' was sentenced Wednesday to 25 to 50 years in prison.

Jonathan Schmitz, 26, faced a life sentence for the murder of Scott Amedure in a case that focused attention on ``ambush television'' and the tactics TV producers use to bring guests onto daytime talk shows.

``I'd like to say the word sorry,'' Schmitz told Judge Francis X. O'Brien before his sentence.

The judge said he took Schmitz' illnesses into account. His defense lawyers said he had been fighting alcoholism, depression and a thyroid condition when the show's producers ambushed him and pushed him over the edge.

However, ``you still have to be accountable to society,'' said O'Brien, who added two years on a weapons charge. With time served, Schmitz likely will remain behind bars for at least 20 years.

Amedure, 32, was shot three days after he, Schmitz and a mutual friend attended the show's taping. The show never aired but was played in court during the trial.

- Associated Press

Bobbitt ordained a minister in Vegas

LAS VEGAS - The Rev. John Bobbitt?

Bobbitt, who gained fame three years ago when his wife severed his penis in a domestic dispute, says he was ordained a minister Wednesday and will soon be able to conduct marriages - a lucrative business in this gaming capital.

``I want to use my name in a positive way to help other people,'' Bobbitt said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. ``I think it's a good thing for me, a positive thing.''

Bobbitt said he was ordained by a minister he knew only as ``Rev. Pete'' in a service Wednesday at Victoria's Wedding Chapel, a few blocks west of the Las Vegas Strip.

Under Nevada law, a person can be ordained a minister if the service is conducted by someone who is already ordained.

Monique Bray, owner of Victoria's, said Bobbitt was ordained by the Rev. Peter Billiterri. She said Billiterri is ordained by the Universal Life Church. There was no listing in Las Vegas for Billiterri or the Universal Life Church.

- Associated Press

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