The Daily Dispatch - Tuesday, March 16, 2010 by The Daily Dispatch

CMYK

Southern Vance softball wins conference opener

Page 1B

TUESDAY, March 16, 2010

Volume XCVI, No. 63

(252) 436-2700

www.hendersondispatch.com

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Cobb: No contest to elderly neglect Son pleads in mother’s death; State agrees to drop charges against his wife

Judge Howard Manning Jr. also imposed 10 weekends in jail, 36 months of probation and a requirement that the 51-year-old defenA Superior Court judge gave Abner Bryant Cobb Jr. a suspended dant do 500 hours of community service by assisting the elderly 10-12 months prison sentence within the first two years. Monday after accepting his plea of On Nov. 17 of 2006, Henderson no contest to elderly neglect in the police charged Cobb, his wife, SanNov. 13, 2006 death of his 74-yeardra, and their daughter, Jessica Arold mother, Margaret Cobb. By AL WHELESS Daily Dispatch Writer

Raleigh gunfire kills man, 23

rington, with second-degree murder and elderly abuse. Prior to that, investigators had charged all three family members with elderly neglect in the case. The plea bargain with Cobb calls for prosecutors to drop all charges against his wife. Asst. District Attorney Kermit W. Ellis Jr. said Monday night that

the case against Arrington, who is 29, has yet to be resolved. Moments before sentencing, Cobb trembled and sobbed as he stood before the bench and said he had spent most of his adult life doing for his mother. After pausing, he stammered Please see COBB, page 4A

oxford

Teacher found dead in vehicle

Driver of vehicle exchanged shots with security guard By AL WHELESS Daily Dispatch Writer

Raleigh police on Monday continued the investigation into the shooting death of a Henderson man found Sunday morning in a parked car near a store. The 23-year-old victim, Sedrick Williams, was pronounced dead after police officers arrived around 3 a.m. at a convenience store in the 3100 block of Capital Boulevard. Jim Sughrue, a spokesman for the police department, said the car’s driver, 33-year-old Tobarus Oneal Alston of Henderson, exchanged gunfire with a security guard outside a nightclub. Alston was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill for his role in exchanging gunfire with the security guard, Alston Shontavius Levon Brown, 35, outside Pericos nightclub at 2414 Paula St. Investigators said Brown had asked Alston and Williams to leave the premises of Pericos. The two Henderson men entered the vehicle, which then stopped on the street in front of the nightclub. Alston got out of the vehicle and exchanged gun shots with Brown. It was unclear how Williams was shot or what role he had in the exchange. Neither security guards, patrons nor employees called 911 concerning what occurred at Pericos. Alston was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Police said the Wake County District Attorney’s office will review the findings of detectives concerning Brown’s actions in relation to the shooting. Anyone with information about the occurrences at the nightclub is being asked to call the Raleigh Police Department’s detective division at 919-996-3555.

Daily Dispatch/ASHLEY STEVEN AYSCUE

Hazmat suits lie at the end of the driveway at this home at 107 Hazelwood Court in the Rollingwood subdivision in Oxford Monday morning after the body of Phillita Harris was found in a car with a chemical mixture on the seat.

Police: Suicide probable cause of death; toxic chemicals found near body By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer

OXFORD — A 35-year-old Vance County educator was found dead over the weekend in a car behind her home at Rollingwood subdivision and with a noxious mix of chemicals on a seat of the vehicle. The body of Phillita Harris, of 107 Hazelwood Court, was taken to the N.C.

Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Chapel Hill for an autopsy. “We are considering this a suspicious death investigation, currently, with suicide the probable cause,” Oxford Police Chief John Wolford said. Phillita Harris had taught second grade at Dabney Elementary School. She had been on medical leave since March 11, 2009. “And of course we’re saddened by the

news,” said Terri Hedrick, public information officer for Vance County Schools. Harris was the daughter of Barbara Harris, who retired from serving as principal of West Oxford Elementary School. Officers received the call shortly after 10 p.m. Sunday to Rollingwood, which is off N.C. 96 and south of Interstate 85. They found Phillita Harris with a Please see DEATH, page 3A

election 2010: warren county

Three vie for Warren County sheriff By DAVID IRVINE Daily Dispatch Writer

WARRENTON — Warren County Sheriff Johnny Williams will have opposition in the Democratic primary this spring and again in the general election in the fall. Williams and Greg Ayscue are vying for votes in the May 4 Democratic primary. Mike Suggs is unopposed for the nomination in the Republican primary. This is the second try for the office of sheriff for Ayscue, 34. In the 2006 primary, he placed second behind Williams in a field of five. Ayscue has 13 years of law enforcement experience, including positions

Suggs

Ayscue

Williams

in the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, Louisburg City Police and Warrenton Police Department. He resigned from the last-named position in order to run for sheriff. He served as a School Resource officer in Franklin County and taught the

DARE program at Mariam Boyd Elementary School. Ayscue has more than 1,800 hours of continuing education credit in areas such as North Carolina Certified Law Enforcement Officer, N.C. Certified School Resource Officer, Nationally Certified DARE Instructor, Civil Law and Liability Certification, Drug Enforcement for Patrol Officers, Comprehensive Roadside Criminal Interdiction, Leadership Development for Law Enforcement Managers and the School for Sheriffs, Deputies, and Detention Officers, to list a few. Please see SHERIFF, page 3A

>> INSIDE TODAY <<

Index

Weather

Deaths

Our Hometown. . . . . . . . . . . . 2A Quick Take . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5A Opinion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6A Light Side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7A Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4B Comics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5B Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8B

Today

Chesapeake, Va.

High: 54, Low: 37

Henderson

Franklinton

Cloudy

Wednesday

Sunny

James H. Powell, 84

Lorraine O. Blackley, 86 Thomas Montgomery Sedrick Williams, 23 Joseph L. Wilson, 53

High: 61, Low: 37

Details, 3A

Obituaries, 4A

Louisburg Norlina

Warren W. Smith Sr., 86

Oxford Warren County

Lillian Widamen, 89 Mildred P. Hall, 76 Johnnie Williams, 67 Dorothy P. Ross, 97

Soldier acquitted in deaths faces military trial Page 8A

The Daily Dispatch

Our Hometown

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Colorectal health the topic of health seminar

Mark It Down Today Speed networking — The Granville Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a speed networking event from 5:30-7 p.m. at Vance-Granville Community College’s South Campus meeting room. Attendees will be able to make numerous, quality business contacts; tell others about their businesses; and learn information about other participants’ businesses. For more information, contact Theresa Haithcock at (919) 528. Community watch — The West End Community Watch meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the West End Baptist Church fellowship hall. Guest speaker will be Linda Leyen, director of the Public Works Department for the City of Henderson. Everyone is invited to the meeting. Board of Elections — The Vance County Board of Elections will meet at 11 a.m. in the Board of Elections office, Henry A. Dennis Building, 300 S. Garnett St. Kiwanis Club — The Kiwanis Club of Henderson meets at 6:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church fellowship hall. Interested non-members may call Opie Frazier for reservations or membership information at (252) 430-1111. Extension service meeting — N.C. Cooperative Extension, Vance County Center, 305 Young St., will host it’s county council meeting at 4 p.m. Featured speakers will be Kerr Lake master gardeners and Paul McKenzie, extension agent for horticulture and field crops. All members are urged to be present. The public is invited to attend. Vegetable gardening seminar — The Vance County Cooperative Extension Center will conduct a seminar on vegetable gardening for beginners at 6:30 p.m. at the H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library. The speaker will be Paul McKenzie, agricultural extension agent. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, e-mail paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu or call (252) 438-8188. Car seat clinic — The Safe Kids Henderson-Vance Coalition will sponsor a free child passenger safety car seat clinic at Walmart on N. Cooper Drive from noon to 4 p.m. Seats will be available for those parents who are in need of a child safety seat for a donation of $20. Donations will help buy more seats for future car seat clinics. Parents will be assisted in correctly installing a child safety seat (more than 85 percent of all seats in Vance County are installed incorrectly). For more information, please call Lt. Irvin Robinson at (252) 431-6061 or Officer Angela Feingold at (252) 430-3165 with the Henderson Police Department, or Lt. Michelle King at (252) 431-6047 with the Henderson Fire Department.

Wednesday Operation Medicine Drop — Drop off unneeded or expired prescription or over-the-counter medications from 2-6 p.m. at Mast Family Drug, 501 S. Chestnut St., Henderson. The event is sponsored by Safe Kids Henderson-Vance, the Henderson Police Department, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, the Henderson Fire Department, the Vance County Fire Department and Five County Area Mental Health. Unintentional poisoning from prescription medications kills nearly 4,500 people annually in North Carolina. Vance County heritage book — The Vance County Heritage Book-2010 will meet at 6:30 p.m. at Miss Lou’s Quilting Studio, 4735 Raleigh Road, Henderson. The public is invited to attend. For more information, call Mark at (252) 438-4000 or (919) 6931121.

Thursday Forestry meeting — The N.C. Department of Forest Resources and the N.C. Department of Environmental Resources will sponsor a forestry meeting at 7 p.m. at the Granville County Extension Center’s offices, 208 Wall St., Oxford. A presentation on chainsaw awareness and safety will be given, along with a discussion of current forestry issues. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call (919) 603-1350. Community watch — The West Hills/West Creek/158 ByPass Community Watch will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium at Maria Parham Medical Center. The guest speaker will be Christine Mackey with the U.S. Census Bureau. She will be addressing the upcoming census. All neighbors are encouraged to attend. Juvenile crime prevention — The Vance County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council will meet at 9 a.m. at Aycock Recreation Center, 307 Carey Chapel Road. The Gang Assessment Steering Committee will meet briefly at the conclusion of the council’s meeting. Crime Stoppers forum — The Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers will hold a community forum at the Kittrell Volunteer Fire Department at 7 p.m. All area residents are invited to attend. Community watch — The Watkins Community Watch will meet at 7 p.m. at the community house building. Area residents are invited to attend. Inter-Governmental Committee – The Henderson/Vance County Inter-Governmental Committee will meet at 3:30 p.m. in the county commission meeting room, 122 Young St. Heritage society — The Heritage Society of Franklin County will hold its monthly meeting at noon at the Murphy House in Louisburg. Everyone that has an interest in the heritage and genealogy of Franklin County is urged to attend. For further information, please contact Joe Pearce at (919) 496-3321; Pat or Gerald Leonard at (919) 853-3293; or Annette Goyette at (252) 492-3820. Operation Medicine Drop — Drop off unneeded or expired prescription or over-the-counter medications from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Henderson Fire Department, 211 Dabney Dr., and at the Vance County Fire Department, 188 Bickett St. The event is sponsored by Safe Kids Henderson-Vance, the Henderson Police Department, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, the Henderson Fire Department, the Vance County Fire Department and Five County Area Mental Health. Unintentional poisoning from prescription medications kills nearly 4,500 people annually in North Carolina. Chess Club — The Henderson/Vance Chess Club, affiliated with the U. S. Chess Federation, meets at the First United Methodist Church from 6 to 9:30 p.m. All are welcome, adults and youths, novice or experienced. For more information, call Rudy Abate at 438-4459 (days) or 738-0375 (evenings). BPW Club — The Henderson Business and Professional Women’s Club will hold its regular monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the boardroom at Maria Parham Medical Center. New members and guests are welcome. For reservations, call (252) 438-6732. Black caucus meeting — The Henderson-Vance Black Leadership Caucus will meet at 6 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 326 W. Rock Spring St., Henderson.

Debbie K. Scott, Warren County Youth Services Bureau director, presents the 2010 African-American Achievement Award to Roberta Scott (right).

Youth Service Bureau sponsors Black History Month salute The Warren County Youth Services Bureau celebrated its ninth annual Black History Month salute on Feb. 25 in the Warren County Middle School cafeteria. The theme was “Celebrating African-American Achievement.” The keynote speaker was Steve Powell, author and entrepreneur. He was presented a certificate of achievement for empowering youth, families and communities for success. The youth of the after-school program and the Warren County One-on-One Mentoring Program recited a tapestry of quotes and poetry. The Warren County High School Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard presented the flags. The National Negro Anthem was recited and a welcome dance was performed by the BAYO Dance Ensemble and Jimmy William Memorial Drummers. Choral selections were sung by the Warren County Middle School Chorus. Full Faith Gospel Ministries Praise Dancers of Warrenton performed. Also a solo dance performance was presneted by Danielle Brame. Sharon Jefferson Henderson andWorshipful of Warrenton sang spirituals. The Lamp of Wisdom Award was presented to the students of the Youth Services After School and Warren One-onOne Mentoring programs by Steve Hyman, program coordinator, and Bernadette Johnson, program assistant. In addition, the Good Sportsmanship Award was presented to students of the Youth Services Basketball

Program by Coach Roy Crews. The 2010 African-American Achievement Award was presented to Roberta Scott by Debbie K. Scott, Youth Services Bureau director. The award recognizes the contributions of an outstanding African American whose leadership has made a significant impact in the lives of young people. The individual’s consistent support is evident throughout the community as well as through his/her demonstrated commitment to excellence in education. Roberta Scott has dedicated over half of her life to the Marketplace cineMas field of education. Marketplace Shopping center After retiring DOne siGn MY naMe (pG13) OUr FaMilY WeDDinG (pG13) BlOOD MON-WED: from the Warren 5:15 & 7:30PM Mon.-Thurs: 5:00 & 7:00PM THUR: 6:00PM County school cOp OUt (r) Green ZOne (r) district, she beMON-THUR: 5:15 & 7:30PM Mon.-Thurs: 5:15 & 7:30PM gan a career with sHUtter islanD (r) alice in WOnDerlanD (pG) Vance-Granville MON-THUR: 7:25PM MON-THUR: 5:10 & 7:20PM Community critic’s cHOice - tHe MessenGer (r) MON-FRI: 3/15 - 3/19 @ 5:00PM College and is SAT. & SUN. 3/20 - 3/21 @ 1:00PM currently the More Movie info & ticket SaleS online coordinator of www.MarketplacecineMaS.coM the Adult High School Diploma Program. PresHENDERSON AUCTION GALLERY ently she is 117 HORNER ST., HENDERSON, NC serving her third “FUN FRIDAY AUCTION” term on the FRIDAY, mARCh 19Th AT 6:00 Warren County Antiques~Collectibles~Furniture Board of EducaBedroom Sets, Chest of Drawers, Shelves, Fine Glass, tion. Electronics, Tools, great box lots, quality household goods

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Carolina GI Associates, Northern Carolina Surgical Associates, the Duke Endowment and Maria Parham Medical Center will host an event Friday at 11:30 a.m. to mark March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Dr. Mark Dubinski, gastroenterologist at Carolina GI Associates, and Dr. Duane Tull, a surgeon with Northern Carolina Surgical Associates, will be the featured speakers. Topics will include promoting colorectal health and what to expect if a physician finds problems. A complimentary lunch will be served in the classroom. The program will be held at noon in the auditorium of the hospital. A no-cost take home colorectal blood test will be given to each interested participant. The test will need to be returned to the laboratory at Maria Parham Medical Center for analysis. Literature will be provided by the N.C. Comprehensive Cancer Control Program and a representative will be on hand to answer questions. Space is limited, so please call Lee Anne Peoples at (252) 436-1116 by 9 a.m. on Thursday to make a reservation. There is no cost involved, but arrangements need to be made for lunch.

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From Page One

The Daily Dispatch

FIVE-DAY FORECAST FOR HENDERSON TODAY

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

Mostly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

Mostly Sunny

54º

37º

61º 37º

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Mostly Sunny

Sunny

Mostly Sunny

63º 38º

69º 41º

70º 49º

Almanac

Sun and Moon

Temperature

Sunrise today . . . . . Sunset tonight . . . . Moonrise today . . . Moonset today . . . . Sunrise tomorrow . Sunset tomorrow . . Moonrise tomorrow Moonset tomorrow .

Raleigh -Durham through 6 p.m. yest. High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Normal High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Normal Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Record High . . . . . . . . .87 in 1973 Record Low . . . . . . . . .14 in 1993

.7:23 .7:22 .7:23 .8:25 .7:21 .7:23 .7:50 .9:25

a.m. p.m. a.m. p.m. a.m. p.m. a.m. p.m.

Moon Phases

Precipitation Yesterday . . . . . . . . . Month to date . . . . . . Normal month to date Year to date . . . . . . . . Normal year to date .

... ... .. ... ...

. . . . .

.0.00" .1.62" .2.06" .7.94" .9.55"

First 3/23

New 4/14

Last 4/6

Full 3/29

Elevation in feet above sea level. Data as of 7 a.m. yesterday. 24-Hr. Lake Capacity Yest. Change Jordan 240 216.6 0.0 Neuse Falls 264 252.1 0.0

24-Hr. Capacity Yest. Change 203 199.5 0.0 320 300.2 0.0

Regional Weather Henderson 54/37

Winston-Salem Durham 55/39 55/40 Asheville 52/37

Rocky Mt. 53/37

Greensboro 55/40 Raleigh 54/39 Charlotte 60/40

Fayetteville 56/41

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Cape Hatteras 49/42

Wilmington 56/40

Regional Cities Today

Today

Wed.

City

Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx City

Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx

Asheville Boone Burlington Chapel Hill Chattanooga Danville Durham Elizabeth City Elizabethton Fayetteville Goldsboro Greensboro Greenville Havelock Hendersonville

52/37 45/33 55/39 55/39 57/40 55/39 55/39 51/38 54/33 56/41 54/39 55/40 53/38 51/35 54/37

55/40 54/36 54/37 58/39 57/42 51/41 47/43 52/36 54/39 54/37 53/37 53/37 56/41 56/40 55/40

mc mc pc pc pc pc pc mc mc s pc pc mc mc pc

54/37 49/33 61/38 61/38 59/40 61/36 61/38 59/37 53/32 62/40 61/39 61/39 62/39 61/41 54/36

ra mc s s mc s s s rs s s s s s ra

High Point Jacksonville Kinston Lumberton Myrtle Beach Morehead City Nags Head New Bern Raleigh Richmond Roanoke Rapids Rocky Mount Sanford Wilmington Winston-Salem

pc mc mc s s mc mc mc pc mc mc mc pc pc pc

60/39 63/40 63/39 61/40 61/44 57/45 52/46 61/41 61/38 63/37 61/37 62/37 62/39 60/42 60/38

s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s

Weather (Wx): cl/cloudy; pc/partly cloudy; ra/rain; rs/rain & snow; s/sunny; sh/showers; sn/snow; t/thunderstorms; w/windy

Today’s National Map

H H

This map shows high temperatures, type of precipitation expected and location of frontal systems at noon. Stationary Front

Warm Front

cause they didn’t know what they were dealing with quite yet and they had a called a unit to come from Raleigh,” she said. Moseley and Mary Gregory Greene stood across from the Harris residence Monday as cleanup crews were preparing to go to work. “I, too, was shocked about the situation here,” said Greene, who is a former president of the neighborhood association. “And we all in the community are very much concerned. It’s unbelievable what has happened,” Greene said.

SHERIFF,

their concerns on a regular basis. He works with surrounding counties to monitor gang activity and wants to educate residents about gangs that are coming into the county. His department works closely with the State Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms to keep track of potential criminal activity, Williams said. Suggs is running for sheriff in the Republican primary. Since he has no opponent in that primary, he appears to be guaranteed a shot at the winner of the Democratic primary when the general election is held in the fall. Suggs, 53, grew up in Roanoke Rapids and attended the public schools there. He has over 25 years of law enforcement experience. He is currently chief of police in Littleton, a position he has held for four years. Previous positions were with the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office, the Dare County Sheriff’s Office, the Scotland Neck Police Department and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. He has worked as an investigator, a patrol deputy, a detective sergeant and undercover drug agent. Suggs has received more than 3,500 hours of training. He received the

general instructor certification to teach basic law enforcement training from the North Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. During his career, he has worked cooperatively with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau Investigations and Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. He wrote grant proposals that resulted in awards totaling $266,500 to the organizations he represented, reducing the need of tax funds for those organizations to accomplish their purposes. Suggs has been married to Jean for 25 years. They live in the Littleton area of Warren County. The couple has seven grown children and one who still lives at home and attends Warren County Middle School. They have 13 grandchildren. Suggs hopes to restructure the sheriff’s department into a Patrol Division and a Criminal Investigation Division/ Drug Unit. He would put a captain in charge of each division, break the county into sections for quicker response to complaints, and facilitate the sharing of information between the divisions.

FROM PAGE 1A

training in criminal justice at Vance-Granville Community College, Wake Technical Community College, the Institute of Ayscue is married to Traci. Government at the University of North Carolina They have two children: Chris, 10, and Rebecca, 7. at Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Justice In explaining his Academy. reasons for running for Williams has been sheriff, Ayscue cited a married to Robin for 23 high turnover rate among years. They have two sons, deputies in the sheriff’s Johnny Jr., a student at department. “We’ve got a good battle- N.C. A&T University, and Patrick, a senior at Warship but we need a good ren County High School. captain,” he said. He also Since Williams became mentioned poor follow-up sheriff, the department on citizens’ complaints and has grown from three lack of drug prevention deputies providing 24-hour programs. coverage to eight deputies. Among the changes He divided the county into he would make are the three zones to facilitate establishment of a sherbetter response time to iff’s sub-station at Lake complaints. Gaston, implementation Other innovations of boat patrols on the lake include organizing a drug and use of unconventional unit and a criminal intervehicles (that would not be diction team. The departreadily identified as law ment is in the process of enforcement vehicles by potential law breakers) for upgrading its technology in order to have a compatroling. Ayscue summarized his puter in each car. This allows the deputies to use reasons for running for the N.C. Aware system, sheriff by saying, “I love which carries all of the this county. I want to get state’s arrest warrants in it back to the way it used one database. to be.” “When a deputy pulls Williams was first someone over, he can tell elected sheriff in 1994. Prior to that, he worked as immediately if there is a warrant out for him an animal control officer and as a deputy sheriff, in anywhere in the state,” addition to doing construc- Williams said. The sheriff’s department tion work. monitors the 44 Warren Williams, 52, was born County documented sex and raised in Warren offenders, Williams said. County and attended Williams said he stays Warren County schools, in touch with civic orgagraduating in 1975. He nizations in order to hear has received additional

Low Pressure

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Harris and her son lived together at Rollingwood, but that he was not at the residence. Betty Moseley, president of the Rollingwood Homeowners Association, remained stunned Monday. “And it’s just sad and this family needs our prayers,” Moseley said. Moseley told of the quiet neighborhood on Sunday evening becoming a scene of fire trucks, hazardous materials personnel and police cars. “And I didn’t know what was happening until I was standing outside,” Moseley said. “And a police officer came and told us that it was a chemical situation and that we needed to go inside be-

er Ev

110s 100s 90s 80s 70s 60s 50s 40s 30s 20s 10s 0s

region in which hazardous chemicals have been used as a method to commit suicide. On Feb. 21 in Cary, a man was found dead in his car outside an apartment plastic container with a complex, with a note in the combination of household vehicle telling people not to chemicals, which formed open the doors because of “a very toxic environment,” poison gas being inside. Wolford said. Wolford said Monday Homes in the immediate that his department found proximity were evacuated notes that Phillita Harris and a Granville County sheriff’s deputy was released left inside the car behind 107 Hazelwood. He said the from Granville Health System after being taken for notes had fallen to the floortreatment for minor burning board, but were intended to warn first responders to sensations, Wolford said. Hazardous materials per- the potential danger of toxic substances. sonnel were called in from A similar form of chemiRaleigh to assist. cally-assisted death started Wolford said the precautions were justified because in Japan before spreading to the U.S. the case, to some extent, Police said that Phillita mirrors recent cases in the

FROM PAGE 1A

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Local News

The Daily Dispatch

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Deaths Mildred P. Hall

OXFORD — Mildred P. Hall, 76, died Thursday, March 11, 2010, at the Universal Health Care Center. She was the daughter of the late Ernest P. Thomas and Clyde Sanford. She was a Granville native and was a member of the Blue Wing Baptist Church. Survivors include a daughter, Jacquelyn H. Parker of Henderson; a son, Ernest B. Hall of Manteo; a sister, Helen T. Wilson of Oxford; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Blue Wing Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 7-8 p.m. today at the Betts and Son Funeral Home in Oxford. Arrangements are by Betts and Son Funeral Home of Oxford.

Dorothy P. Ross

Lorraine O. Blackley

WARREN — Dorothy Plummer Ross, 97, died Thursday, March 11, 2010, at Maria Parham Medical Center. She was the daughter of the late Thomas “Bud” Plummer and Victoria Parks Plummer. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Prince Edward Ross, whom she married Dec. 4, 1932, three sisters and four brothers. She was educated in Warren County schools and joined Ridgeway Baptist Church at an early age. In search of employment, she moved to New York and then Hackensack, N.J., where she joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Upon retirement, she returned to Warren and rejoined Ridgeway Baptist Church. She is survived by a daughter, Victoria Dortch of Ridgeway; and a sister, Vivian Kearney of Virginia Thomas Beach, Va. Montgomery The body will be on view HENDERSON — Thomas today at Ridgeway Baptist “Mr. Nick” Montgomery, of Church one hour before the 86 Sandy Lane, died Thurs- funeral, which begins at 2 day, March 11, 2010, in his p.m. The Rev. W.T. Ramey residence. He was born in III, pastor, will officiate. Vance County and was the Interment will follow in son of the late Sallie Montthe Allen-Plummer Family gomery Evans and Melvin Cemetery in Ridgeway. Steed. Arrangements are by R.H. He attended the Vance Greene Funeral Home of County schools and later Warrenton. enlisted in the United States Lillian Widamen Army in World War II where NORLINA — Lillian he received an honorable Widamen, 89, of Norlina, discharge along with receivdied Sunday, March 14, ing an Asiatic-Pacific Service 2010, at Maria Parham Medal, Good Conduct Medal Medical Center in Henderand World War II Victory son. Funeral services are Medal. incomplete at this time, Chapel services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednes- but will be announced later by Boyd’s Funeral Service day at Davis-Royster Fuof Warrenton. neral Service by Evangelist E.L. Smith, assisted by the Johnnie Williams Rev. Joe Byrd. Burial will folOXFORD — Johnnie low in Young Memorial Holy Williams, 67, of 4104 Charlie Church Cemetery. Harris Road, died WednesSurvivors include a day, March 10, 2010, at the brother, Andrew Evans of Granville Medical Center. Oxford; and two sisters, She was the daughter of the Esther Louise Williams of late Green Scott and Bertha Baltimore, Md., and Mary L. Riddick. Frances Bullock of HenderFuneral services will be son. conducted at 1 p.m. ThursThe family will receive day at the St. Matthew Bapfriends at the residence of tist Church, with eulogy by Robert Evans, 230 Big Buck the Rev. Gregory J. Webb Sr. Road. The body will be on Burial will be in the church view today from 11 a.m. until cemetery. 6 p.m. Survivors include her husFuneral arrangements are band, Albert Williams Jr.; by Davis-Royster Funeral two daughters, Lisa Carroll Service. of Greensboro and Marqueta

FRANKLINTON — Lorraine Overton Blackley, 86, was born July 31, 1923, and died on Saturday, March 13, 2010. Her family included her husband, the late Ed Blackley; children, Anne Tunstall and Lennie Blackley, and their spouses Bobby and Laura; and sister, Joyce Belcher. Grandchildren are the late Landon Blackley, Nash and Carson Blackley and Rob and Elizabeth Tunstall. Services will be 3 p.m. Sunday, March 21, at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Franklinton. Visitation will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in memory of Landon Blackley to Oxford United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 757, Oxford, N.C., 27565; or Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Franklinton, N.C., 27525. Paid Obituary

Williams of the home; and three sisters, Savannah Scott of Linden, N.J., Bertha L. Scott and Uther Scott, both of Dawson, Ga. The family will receive visitors one hour before the service at the church. The viewing will be from 11 a.m.7 p.m. Wednesday at the Betts and Son Funeral Home in Oxford.

Sedrick Williams

HENDERSON — Sedrick Williams, 23, died Sunday, March 14, 2010. The family will receive friends at the residence, 527 High St. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Garnes and Toney Funeral Home.

Joseph L. Wilson

HENDERSON — Joseph Leon Wilson, 53, of 6401 Vicksboro Road, died Sunday, March 14, 2010, in the University of North Carolina Hospital in Chapel Hill. The family will receive friends at the residence of Angela Smith, 275 Neal Lane. Funeral arrangements will be announced by DavisRoyster Funeral Service.

James H. Powell

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — James Horace “Skin” Powell, 84, formerly of Warren County, N.C., died Monday, March 15, 2010, in Chesapeake, Va. Arrangements are incomplete at this time, but will be announced later by R.H. Greene Funeral Home of Warrenton.

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was a member of the Louisburg Lions Club. After serving in the U.S. Army Air Corp during July 17, 1923 – World War II in China, March 13, 2010 Burma, and India, he played on a semi-pro LOUISBURG — baseball team for eight Warren Woodlief Smith, years. He enjoyed workSr., 86, of 118 Person ing in his vegetable Circle, died Saturday garden, researching geafternoon. nealogy, and cooking. In Mr. Smith was pre1968, he was named the ceded in death by his Man of the Year by the wife of 56 Louisburg Rotary Club. years, The Franklin County Betty Board of Education Harris honored him in 1989 by Smith; naming the classroom his building at Edward parents, Best the Warren W. Abner Smith Classroom BuildJoseph ing. Smith and The memorial service Emma Woodlief Smith; will be 2 p.m. today his brothers, Austin at Louisburg United Turner Smith and Methodist Church. The Joseph Swindell Smith; burial will be private in his sisters, Phyllis the Oakwood Cemetery, Smith King and Eleanor Louisburg. Burton Smith. Mr. Smith is surHe was a 1940 gradu- vived by his daughter ate of Zeb Vance High and son-in-law, Jackie School and he received and Ed McNamara of a bachelor of science Louisburg; son and degree from Wake Fordaughter-in-law, Woody est College and a master and Donna Smith of of education degree Lexington; grandson from U.N.C.-Chapel and his wife, Paul and Hill. For 44 years, he Emily McNamara; was involved with the granddaughter and her education of students fiancé, Katie McNain Franklin County. He mara and Brandon was a teacher and coach Massey; granddaughat both Epsom High ters, Jennifer Smith School and Edward and Lisa Smith; and Best High School. He sister, Mildred Smith of was also the principal Louisburg. at Edward Best and he The family will rewas the superintendent ceive friends immediateof Franklin County ly following the service Schools for 23 years. at Louisburg United After retirement from Methodist Church. public schools, he served In lieu of flowers as a part time math memorials may be made instructor at Louisburg to Louisburg United College. Methodist Church, P.O. Mr. Smith was a Box 667, Louisburg, member of the LouisN.C., 27549. burg United MethodArrangements are ist Church where he by Strickland Funeral served as a Sunday Home, Louisburg. school teacher for more than 50 years and he Paid Obituary

COBB,

FROM PAGE 1A out: “If the good Lord would take me now and bring her back, I would say ‘Please, Lord, do it!’” The judge announced that he found “no mitigating circumstances.” Cobb was defended by Attorney Jerry Stainback. He told Manning that several family members and other witnesses testifying in the proceedings had painted a picture of Cobb as a devoted son who cared deeply for his mother. Stainback said they described Margaret Cobb as a strong-willed, former licensed practical nurse who had been in charge of her own treatment at the house she shared with the three defendants at 1541 Lynn Ave. Cobb and other relatives had told the judge that the elderly woman had suffered for years from rheumatoid arthritis which caused deformities and kept her from caring for herself. Several character witnesses also spoke favorably of Cobb when they were on the stand. There was testimony that the defendant had made a call to 911 to have his mother transported to Maria Parham Medical Center. Police Lt. S.T. Vaugn said he saw maggots and roaches crawling on Margaret Cobb, who had bedsores. Bryant Williams, a paramedic with Vance County EMS, said he saw roaches and bedsores on Margaret Cobb when she was lying in her bed. Dr. James Goodwin, a Vance County medical examiner, testified that he considered infection to have been the cause of death. The autopsy was performed by Dr. John Butts, the chief state medical examiner. He reported that infection was the major cause of death.

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Quick Take

The Daily Dispatch

Dems start countdown toward health care vote WASHINGTON (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; House Democrats triggered the countdown Monday for the climactic vote on President Barack Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fiercely contested remake of the health care system, even though the legislation remained incomplete and lacked the votes needed to pass. Obama expressed optimism Congress would approve his call for affordable and nearly universal coverage as he pitched his plan on a trip to Ohio, and congressional leaders showed signs of progress in winning antiabortion Democrats whose votes are pivotal. At the same time, Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., among the billâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sharpest opponents, said he was â&#x20AC;&#x153;less confidentâ&#x20AC;? than before that it could be stopped. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d have to be remarkable people not to fall under the kind of pressure theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be under,â&#x20AC;? he said of rank-and-file Democrats. Some of the pressure was aimed at Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, who flew aboard Air Force One with President Barack Obama during the day, then walked into a senior citizen center with the chief executive in time to hear a voice from the audience yell out, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Vote yes.â&#x20AC;? A smiling Obama turned to the liberal lawmaker and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Did you hear that, Dennis?â&#x20AC;? Then, turning back to the audience, he added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Go ahead, say that again.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Vote yes!â&#x20AC;? came back the reply. Kucinich, who said later he remains uncommitted, is one of 37 Democrats currently in the House who voted against Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legislation when it cleared the House last fall. In addition, the White

House is laboring to hold the support of several other Democrats who voted for the earlier bill, but only after first supporting strict antiabortion limits that would be altered the second time around.

Toyota dismisses account of runaway Prius SAN DIEGO (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Toyota Motor Corp. dismissed the story of a man who claimed his Prius sped out of control on the California freeway, saying Monday that its own tests found the carâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gas pedal and backup safety system were working just fine. The automaker stopped short of saying James Sikes had staged a hoax last week but said his account did not square with a series of tests it conducted on the gas-electric hybrid. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have no opinion on his account, what heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been saying, other than that the scenario is not consistent with the technical findings,â&#x20AC;? spokesman Mike Michels told a press conference. The episode March 8 was among the highestprofile headaches Toyota has suffered in recent months. It recalled more than 8 million cars and trucks worldwide because gas pedals can become stuck in the down position or be snagged by floor

mats. Dozens of Toyota drivers have reported problems even after their cars were supposedly fixed.

Edwards mistress: Still in love, living â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;truthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; RALEIGH (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The mistress of former presidential candidate John Edwards says she is helping him live â&#x20AC;&#x153;a life of truthâ&#x20AC;? and the two remain in love even after their affair helped trigger his downfall from the pinnacle of U.S. politics. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyone talks about how Johnny has fallen from grace,â&#x20AC;? Rielle Hunter told GQ magazine in an interview released Monday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In reality, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fallen to grace.â&#x20AC;? In her first public comments since she became known as Edwardsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; other woman in 2008, Hunter didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t provide any details of their status but said Edwards is a great father who wants to be there fulltime for their daughter, now 2. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know he loves me. I have never had any doubt at all about that,â&#x20AC;? Hunter said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We love each other very much. And that hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t changed, and I believe that will be till death do us part.â&#x20AC;? Hunter also posed for photos for GQ that show her on a bed, barelegged in a manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s white dress shirt and a pearl necklace.

K9 Unit Fundraiser Tickets For Sale Tickets are $5.00

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Area Stocks Listed below are representative inter-dealer quotations at approximately 4 p.m. Monday from the National Association of Securities Dealers. Prices do not include retail mark-up, mark-down or commission. ATT Ball Corp. BankAmerica BB&T Coca-Cola CVS Duke Energy Exxon Ford General Elec. Motors Liquidation Home Depot IBM Johnson & Johnson Kennametal Krispy Kreme Louisiana Pacific Lowes Lucent Tech. Pepsico Phillip Morris Procter & Gamble Progress Energy RF Micro Dev Royal Bk Can RJR Tobacco Revlon Sprint Sun Trust Universal Verizon Comm. Vulcan Wal-Mart Wells Fargo Wendyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Establis Delhaize

25.78 54.25 16.85 30.78 53.65 34.73 16.46 66.30 13.40 17.29 0.57 32.69 127.83 64.57 29.62 3.81 8.22 25.04 3.46 66.15 20.37 63.70 39.01 4.86 57.68 52.84 15.49 3.59 26.99 54.10 29.86 45.48 55.42 29.89 4.83 81.38

A DAY ON WALL STREET 11,000

March 15, 2010

Dow Jones industrials

10,000 9,000 8,000

+17.46 10,642.15

Pct. change from previous: +0.16%

High 10,644.19

Low 10,570.51

March 15, 2010

2,400

Nasdaq composite

2,200 2,000 1,800 1,600

-5.45 2,362.21

High 2,367.40

Pct. change from previous: -0.23%

Standard & Poorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 500 +0.52 N

High 1,150.98

Pct. change from previous: +0.05%

1,400

Low 2,345.99

March 15, 2010

1,150.51

7,000

1,200 1,100 1,000 900 800 700 600

Low 1,141.45

SOURCE: SunGard

MARKET ROUNDUP 031510: Market charts show Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq; stand-alone; 2c x 4 1/2 inches; 96 mm x 114 mm; staff

Editors: All figures as of: 5:25:09 PM EST

NOTE: Figures reflect market fluctuations after close; may not match other AP content

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Opinion

The Daily Dispatch

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Editorial Board: James Edwards, Publisher • jedwards@hendersondispatch.com Luke Horton, Editor • lhorton@hendersondispatch.com Don Dulin, News Editor • ddulin@hendersondispatch.com Linda Gupton, Features Editor • lgupton@hendersondispatch.com 304 S. Chestnut St./P.O. Box 908 Henderson, N.C. 27536 PHONE: 436-2700/FAX: 430-0125

Daily Meditation Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, [see that ye] love one another with a pure heart fervently: 1 Peter 1:22

Our Opinion

Hopefully, new EDC search will be fruitful The search continues. County Manager Jerry Ayscue said last week that 12 new individuals have applied for the vacant Economic Development Commission director position. Ayscue, along with five other panel members, is expected to begin screening these applicants this week. The panel will interview the finalists and Ayscue will decide which one, if any of them, is fit to serve in the position that Benny Finch vacated in December of 2008. Following Finch’s retirement, 32 applied for the job, but none apparently made the grade. One of those applicants, James “Jim” R. Hinkle, was hired as the interim director. Hinkle has served as director since then. Hopefully, round 2 of the search will yield different results. While we’re happy to see that Ayscue and the panel are looking for the right candidate, time is of the essence. The EDC has now gone almost 15 months without a full-time director. During that time, there have been very few new businesses locating in Henderson and Vance County. The much-heralded paint company does plan to open in Henderson, but the EDC seems to have had little involvement in helping that company locate here. While the EDC was present for the official announcement, Curtis White and City Councilman Michael Inscoe appear to be the reason the company plans to set up shop in Henderson. During these tough economic times, Henderson and Vance County should be making every effort to find businesses and jobs for the area. Going over a year without a full-time EDC director is not making every effort, not even close. Danny Wright, chairman of the Board of Commissioners, said last week that “we have an excellent interim director in Jim Hinkle. We’re making progress under his leadership.” What progress? Where are the businesses? Where are the jobs? Hinkle may be qualified for the interim position, but what incentive does he have to develop and implement any long-range plans for the EDC? He knows as soon as a full-time director is found, he will be out of a job. Henderson and Vance County can’t afford to go any longer without a full-time director. Every day that passes without someone in that position is a wasted opportunity to bring businesses, jobs and hope to an area in desperate need of all three. Hopefully, those in charge of replacing Finch understand that.

What’s your opinion? The Daily Dispatch welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be signed, include the author’s city of residence, and should be limited to 300 words. Please include a telephone number for verification. We reserve the right to edit comments for length, clarity, libelous material, personal attacks and poor taste. We do not publish anonymous letters, form letters, letters with names withheld or letters where we cannot verify the writer’s identity. Letters can be accepted by e-mail, but city of residence and a phone number for verification purposes still must be included.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Sunshine Week: Make secrecy the exception Editor’s Note: Sunshine Week is a national initiative to open a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. The following editorial appeared in the Atlanta JournalConstitution. “Sunshine is the best disinfectant,” Louis Brandeis, U.S. Supreme Court Justice. The esteemed Justice Brandeis was ahead of his time. His observation fits exceptionally well with national Sunshine Week, which is this week. The annual event, launched in 2005, champions and celebrates openness in government. We can only be fully informed citizens and participants in democracy when we’re tuned in to what’s going on within government at all levels. Involved citizens ensure that their government works most effectively toward the common good. Open government, with its inner workings transparent and accessible to all, is and should forever be part of the bedrock core of this republic’s centuries-old experiment with representative government. Government conducted be-

fore the people is essential to maintaining and safeguarding the freedoms and liberty that we all cherish. This nation’s journalists, ever mindful of the First Amendment’s protection of the press, have been understandably champions of Sunshine Week. Thanks to Georgia’s Open Records Act, for example, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution unearthed suspicious scores on the 2009 Criterion-Referenced Competency Test. That led to a large-scale state investigation of testing. Other open records requests by the AJC led to reports on costly squandering of taxpayer money and questionable financial dealings by public officials. Yet we also recognize there are instances when lawful access to records conflict

with personal privacy. Such a case arose recently when a writer for Hustler magazine requested crime-scene photos of Meredith Emerson’s brutal death at the hands of her convicted murderer, Gary Michael Hilton. While examining crimescene photos can help a reporter — or a juror — understand the evidence of the crime, there is and can be no news value to publishing or reproducing explicit photos of Emerson. Technology changes will require careful thinking of how to make sure our society and government remain open while preventing the very occasional gross misuse of public information. Access to open records is not just a concern for journalists. Private citizens are also active in exercising their right to open government. According to the American Society of News Editors, which leads the week’s efforts, “Participants include ... civic groups, libraries, nonprofits, schools and others interested in the public’s right to know.” Securing a widespread base of support for governmental transparency is necessary in order to keep the light

of public inquiry focused on halls of power. ASNE says, “Sunshine Week is about the public’s right to know what its government is doing, and why. Sunshine Week seeks to enlighten and empower people to play an active role in their government at all levels, and to give them access to information that makes their lives better and their communities stronger.” Keeping governance before the public eye has always been important, but never more important than during this present, perilous time for the United States and the world. Yes, certain government business should be conducted outside of public earshot. Secrecy should be the rare exception, rather than the rule. To do otherwise is to tempt Americans with a false sense of security and well-being as our challenges and troubles are kept secreted away from public scrutiny. True security, freedom and well-being comes from a rich and public debate and governmental processes that keep the people’s business before the people.

The big down under is small back home SYDNEY, Australia — Tell me if you’ve heard this one. A blonde swimsuit model gets involved with a sports superstar. They are photographed everywhere — two stunning, physically fit young specimens. In time, they announce their engagement. Then a photograph appears of the model. She is nude in a shower. Someone else’s shower. A football player’s shower. A married football player’s shower. Her fiance races to her side. In doing so, he abandons his team in the middle of a major contest. His country goes wild. Some demand that he be removed from the team altogether. Others insist that love must conquer all. After days of breathless controversy, the couple release a statement saying their engagement is off. They ask that the media “respect their privacy during this difficult time.” OK. Tell me who this is. A story that’s so big ... If you said Tiger Woods — close, but wrong controversy. If you said David Beckham, close, but wrong sport. And if you said, “I have no

idea; I haven’t heard anything about a story like that” — well, you are about to prove my point. Here in Australia, the above story is beyond big. It is everywhere. It is Brad and AngeMitch lina meet Albom Tiger and Tribune Media Services

Erin with a dash of Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. It is across the front of every newspaper. It is the lead story on the TV news. The start-crossed couple is Michael Clarke and Lara Bingle. She appears on magazine covers, in bikinis, and on a TV ice skating competition. And he is a major star on the Australian cricket team. Yep. Cricket. Now, to most Americans, the best known name in cricket is Jiminy. So you may laugh at the very idea that anything involving men, wickets and tea sandwiches could be a controversy. And that is my point. They

say the world is shrinking. They say everything is global. But they also say “all news is local.” And when it comes to making an absolute, nonsensical, lose-your-mind fuss over nothing — that, apparently, is the truest statement of all. A really messy affair So this Cricket Controversy has been THE water cooler conversation here. Clarke was accused of letting his country down by racing off before an ever-important test against ... New Zealand! And Bingle was derided as the hussy who couldn’t keep her clothes on and who then sold her story for big bucks to a magazine. (Of course, the football player who took her photo with his cell phone and later released it to the world is not exactly Prince Charming in this story, but then football here isn’t the same as football back home, and who wants to get into all that detail?) In the end, after several days of lovers’ torture, Clarke and Bingle released their statement, and he presumably asked for the keys back to his $6 million apartment. (I know it is $6 million

because they never stop telling you, although that is $6 million Australian, not American, and who wants to get into all that detail?) Clarke has returned to his mates for their very important match against New Zealand, while Bingle was last seen laughing at a shopping mall. And it all means nothing in the U.S. Which makes me wonder about things like Kobe Bryant’s private life, Brett Favre’s retirement, Derek Jeter’s dating habits or the brief-but-oft-photographed Sergei Fedorov and Anna Kornikova. Or, for that matter, the sexual proclivities of a New York congressman. Doesn’t it give you pause that for all the newsprint, radio talk, TV footage and heated barbershop conversation, whatever celebrity controversy seems like the biggest story on the planet, someplace, halfway around the world, nobody gives a hoot? Cricket? Swimsuit model? Honestly. I mean. It’s not like they’re A-Rod and Kate. Wait a minute.... Someone down here just said, “Who?”

By The Associated Press

Today is Tuesday, March 16, the 75th day of 2010. There are 290 days left in the year. Today’s highlight: On March 16, 1850, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel “The Scarlet Letter” was first published.

civil court jury later ordered Blake to pay Bakley’s four children $30 million, an award that an appeals court subsequently cut in half; Blake has declared bankruptcy.) A judge in Redwood City, Calif. sent Scott Peterson to death row for the slaying of his pregnant wife, Laci.

One year ago: Joining a wave of public anger, President Barack On this date: In A.D. 37, Roman emperor Obama blistered insurance giant AIG for “recklessness Tiberius died; he was sucand greed” for handing its ceeded by Caligula. In 1802, President Thomas executives $165 million in bonuses after taking billions in Jefferson signed a measure authorizing the establishment federal bailout money. British of the U.S. Military Academy actress Natasha Richardson, 45, was fatally injured in a at West Point, N.Y. In 1915, the Federal Trade skiing accident at a resort in Commission began operations. Quebec; she died two days later at a Manhattan hospital. In 1926, rocket science Austrian Josef Fritzl pleaded pioneer Robert H. Goddard guilty at the start of his trial successfully tested the first to imprisoning his daughter liquid-fueled rocket, in Aufor 24 years and fathering burn, Mass. In 1935, Adolf Hitler decid- her seven children. (Two days ed to break the military terms later, Fritzl pleaded guilty to set by the Treaty of Versailles the remaining charges against him, including negligent homiby ordering the rearming of cide; he was sentenced to life Germany. in a psychiatric ward.) In 1968, during the Vietnam War, the My Lai (mee Today’s Birthdays: Comely) Massacre of Vietnamese dian-director Jerry Lewis is 84. civilians was carried out by Country singer Ray Walker U.S. Army troops; estimates of the death toll vary between (The Jordanaires) is 76. Movie director Bernardo Bertolucci 347 and 504. is 69. Game show host Chuck In 1984, William Buckley, the CIA station chief in Beirut, Woolery is 69. Singer-songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker is 68. was kidnapped by terrorists Country singer Robin Williams (he was tortured by his capis 63. Actor Erik Estrada is tors and killed in 1985). 61. Actor Victor Garber is 61. In 1985, Terry Anderson, Actress Kate Nelligan is 59. chief Middle East correspondent for The Associated Press, Country singer Ray Benson (Asleep at the Wheel) is 59. was abducted in Beirut; he Rock singer-musician Nancy was released in Dec. 1991. Wilson (Heart) is 56. Golfer Hollis Stacy is 56. Actress IsaTen years ago: belle Huppert is 55. Actor ClifIndependent Counsel ton Powell is 54. Rapper-actor Robert Ray said he found no credible evidence that Hillary Flavor Flav (Public Enemy) is 51. Folk singer Patty Griffin is Rodham Clinton or senior 46. Actress Lauren Graham is White House officials had sought FBI background files of 43. Actor Judah Friedlander (TV: “30 Rock”) is 41. Actor Republicans. Alan Tudyk (TOO’-dihk) is 39. Actor Tim Kang (TV: “The Five years ago: Mentalist”) is 37. Rhythm-andA jury in Los Angeles blues singer Blu Cantrell is 34. acquitted actor Robert Blake Actress Brooke Burns is 32. of murder in the shooting Rock musician Wolfgang Van death of his wife, Bonny Lee Halen is 19. Bakley, four years earlier. (A

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