ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, December 9, 1996 TAG: 9612090113
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
Woman acquitted on charge of raking her leaves topless
A woman who murdered her husband in Henry County ten years ago is back in the news, this time in Florida, for raking her yard topless.
Carolyn Sparks, formerly Carolyn Cochran, was charged with disorderly conduct this summer in Hernando County after a teen-age boy saw her and told his mother, who then dialed 911, according to a recent story in the St. Petersburg Times.
During her trial last month, Sparks argued that when it comes to taking off your shirt, women should have the same right as men.
A jury acquitted her.
"It's my yard, and it's my body," Sparks said. "I had a feeling they would realize it."
When a police officer arrived at Sparks' mobile home that August day, she told him she had been working all day and was hot. She put her shirt on, though, when asked to do so.
However, after the officer left, Sparks mooned the neighbor who called the police and then took all her clothes off and began walking around the neighborhood, according to court testimony.
The officer returned, but didn't charge her a second time.
"I said to myself: I just can't believe this," the officer said.
In 1987, Sparks was convicted in Henry County of killing her husband, Collinsville insurance agent Roger Cochran. She shot him once in the chest with a .357 Magnum.
She said she was in an abusive relationship.
Sparks spent close to three years in prison for the killing. She moved to Florida about five years ago.
Asked about the slaying after her most recent trial, Sparks said:
"I don't regret killing him. I should have done it earlier."
- TODD JACKSON
Roanoke Valley leads state in hurricane relief contributions
The Roanoke Valley led the state this year in private contributions to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund for victims of Hurricane Fran.
Roanoke Valley residents donated more than $39,000 to the fund, said Carol Brown, spokeswoman for the Roanoke Valley chapter of the Red Cross. Only two areas of the state - Richmond and Arlington - raised more, primarily because chapters in those cities received large corporate donations.
Most of the Roanoke Valley donations were in response to Red Cross appeals after Hurricane Fran brought heavy rains to central and southwest Virginia in September.
"We are deeply grateful to our neighbors who make the donations of time and money necessary to provide disaster relief services to families affected by these storms," said Tom Brown, Roanoke Valley chapter manager.
"We are not a government agency, and these relief services are available solely because the people in the Roanoke Valley and across the nation care deeply for their families, friends and neighbors."
This year's hurricane season ended Nov.30.
- LESLIE TAYLOR
LENGTH: Medium: 60 linesby CNB