Rocky Mount Telegram from Rocky Mount, North Carolina • 2

Carolina Page 2A Rocky Mount Telegram Thursday December 10, 1998 Witnesses: Merder Answering calls for help victim was emiarmed By J. Eric Eckard Assistant news editor 5 1 Attorney Thomas Todd speaks as SOS Acting director Rebecca Banks listens Student support group confers in Raleigh from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at our schools. Lots of children need something extra, a safe place, mentors.

We see it every day in the headlines what young people have done that's negative. "Because of each of you, we're now able to see what young people are doing that's positive," he added. "We're helping young people avoid the pitfalls of adolescence." Hunt has promised to help recruit mentors for 40,000 children. This follows the Governor's Summit on Volun-teerism held in Greensboro earlier this year. The representatives from Edgecombe County included SOS Director Doris Stith, Programs Manager Deborah Ben-bow and Site Director Phyllis Holmes.

Doris Funchess, director of the Nash County SOS, was also in attendance. Stith presented a plaque to that in myt courtroom. "She did it all day yesterdayj and again this morning. Spej can't do that, and she must realize that." Erin Morales, the victim's wife, composed herself and was quiet throughout the rest of the! day. after time-consuming tes-i timnnv frnm three Snanish- speaking witnesses Wednesday, Brown also told atewan any more Spanish-speaking wit- nesses wouia nave 10 icsiayj today.

After Brown's order, Lt. R.W Terry of the Rowan County Sheriff Department testified about the arrest of Benitez and another man, Terry said he arrested the pair after receiving word from Nash County authorir ties Benitez might be en route t3 Texas. Expected to testify today are Dr. Susan Phillips, the medical examiner who performed the autopsy on Morales; Ericelda Benitez, the defendant's sister; and Jamie Miranda, the man arrested" with Benitez while' on their way to Texas. Clinton could be subject to crini inal prosecution when he leaves office.

The Judiciary Committee expected to approve at least one of the perjury articles of impeachment. Votes could comg by week's end, said committeb Chairman Henry Hyde, an DIfc nois Republican. I In that event, the full House: would convene next week for only the second time in U.S. history to consider impeachingv president. Andrew Johnson the only president to be" impeached, and he survived ap 1868 trial in the Senate by one1 vote.

Dozens of Beautiful Slides 14 kt. Solid Rope Bracelet will not tolerate 1 3Z 1 NASHVILLE Speaking through an interpreter, three witnesses to Geraldo "Jerry" Morales' death testified in court Wednesday that the victim was unarmed when he was shot to death in April. Their statements were in direct conflict with the defense's claims that Raunel Benitez shot Morales in self-defense. Benitez is charged with first-degree murder and could face life in prison if he is convicted. The defendant's trial entered its second day in state Superior Court in Nash County, and the jury to an interpreter recount the witnesses' stories about what happened the night Morales and his friends confronted Benitez and his two brothers on a dirt path near Sandy Cross.

Although none of the eyewitnesses who testified identified Benitez in court as the all three men denied carrying weapons when the two groups began arguing about a previous fight between the defendant's WRQM From page 1 A communities. WUNC brings expertise in local news and public affairs, community outreach, classical music, station administration, and -not least-fund-raising." Davis also noted that WRQM would not simply repeat WUNC programming. "We understand, and we are sensitive to, the differences between Triangle communities and Gateway communities," he said. "Those differences will be reflected in different programming for the two stations." manslaughter before presenting it to the court. He said he instructed his client that he did not feel it.

was a self-defense case and urged her to argue voluntary manslaughter. "I'm glad my client listened to me and allowed me to argue the. voluntary manslaughter," Muse said. "I thought it was a case of manslaughter all along. I told her because she waited sometime after she was stabbed that there was no self-defense Muse added, "some folks thought I should not have put my client on the stand.

But I thought after the jury had a chance to see her and listen to her, they would understand that she was not a premeditated killer." To have convicted Turnage of first-degree murder, the district attorney would have to prove that she unlawfully killed Drew with malice, deliberation and 7 premeditation. For second-degree murder, she would have had to commit the unlawful killing with malice but without deliberation and premeditation. "We're looking forward to the Christmas play," Richardson added. "They've been working on it. Not all of the residents will be performing but we hope family members will come out and see it." One of IHS's residents, Olivia Worsley, celebrated her 100th birthday Nov.

24. The facility's staff sang happy birthday and helped Worsley with a cake. alvador Chavez, Simon Mendoza and Tomas Cervantes the three men with Morales that, night denied in court they were armed with any weapons. brother and one of Morales' friends. During cross examination, defense attorney Bob: Farris asked about a rifle, bottles and sticks Benitez claimed that Morales and his friends had with them the night of the shooting.

But Salvador Chavez, Simon Mendoza and Tomas Cervantes the three; men with Morales that night denied in court they were armed with any weapons that night. The trial was interrupted briefly Wednesday morning when Judge Frank Brown sent the jury out of the room and reprimanded the victim's wife for crying too loud in the audience. "She's crying and sobbing, and I can hear her up here on the bench," Brown told Assistant District Attorney Bill Stewart. "I know it's difficult for her, but I CLINTON From page 1A recall being alone with her. "I believe when the president gave those answers, he was said Rep." Charles Canady, R-Fla.

Democrats on the committee were not much kinder in their call for Clinton' censure by Congress. Their proposal accuses the president of violating Americans' trust and dishonoring his office in his affair with Lewinsky, "a subordinate," and in the subsequent cover-up. The Democrats' resolution would not impose a fine, but it would require Clinton's signature. It also points out that Omega Necklace $-IA95 With silver rope chain. l4Ct.Round.......

369 l2CLRound ...1299 34 CtRound 2795 1 Ct Round ...............3995 14 Q. Marquise. ......499 12 CL 1299 34 a 1 CL ..4495 14 CL ......499 12 Ct Princess .....1299 34 CL 2795 1 CL Princess 3995 ho mm TelegramViola Harris SOS Interim Director Rebecca Banks on behalf of all of the SOS sites. There are 76 counties with programs serving more than 13,000 children. Under Banks' leadership, SOS has continued to flourish, expanding from 52 counties in 1994 to 76 in 1997.

"SOS is successful because it's a good idea," Banks said. "In 1998, we've served more students with over 2,600 adults giving of their time. Volunteers are the driving force behind SOS." Civil rights attorney Thomas N. of Demopolis, was the keynote speaker. He has spoken about education, housing, police misconduct' and employment discrimination to audiences around the country.

He stressed the importance of education in the lives of young people. "While you are serving these students, you are also saving the children," he told listeners. different picture. In his closing argument, Graham asked the jury to remember that Turnage had time between being cut by Drew and returning inside the house. He also pointed out that after the stabbing, Turnage left the scene instead of calling for help for Drew.

Drew lost a lot of blood and blood was all over the bed, walls and door of the apartment, according to testimony from investigating police officers. After making his ruling, Judge Allsbrook left instructions that while incarcerated, Turnage should receive a psychiatric evaluation as well as vocational training. Because Turnage is destitute, the judge did not order her financially liable to the court-appointed attorney. Graham said he presented the best case he could for the state. "All I can do is present the case," Graham said.

"The jurors make the decision." Turnage 's attorney, Eugene Muse, asked his client for per-. mission to argue for voluntary on the 17th. "The Red Hots have been here before and they are wonderful," Richardson said. "The residents get to pat their feet and sing along with them as they ring their Christmas bells." Bulluck School is also coming later this month. Richardson said the residents will perform on Dec.

22 at 2 p.m. By Viola Harris Staff writer RALEIGH Representatives from Edgecombe and Nash counties' Support Our Students (SOS) programs which link with troubled youth attended their fourth annual conference Dec. 4 and 5 at the North Raleigh Hilton. This year's theme for the conference was "Partnerships at Work for Youth." Gov. Jim Hunt's initiative, begun about five years ago, is an intervention program mat seeks to keep youth from becoming at-risk.

SOS gives students a safe, place in the afternoons, with special emphasis on academics and social skills. "All of you have gathered here because you care about children," Hunt said. "We can do a lot more to help them other N.C. Wesleyan holds first winter commencement i From staff reports North Carolina Wesleyan College will hold its first ever December commencement Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in the Minges Auditorium of the Dunn Center.

Students who graduated in August can join December graduates in Saturday's ceremony. As many as 174 students could participate. Alan Felton, a 1996 Wesleyan graduate and director of intern-ship and career services at the school, will give the commencement address on Wesleyan spirit. Earlier in the day, graduates will have a baccalaureate service and brunch. Before this year, August and December graduates had to wait until the following May to participate in commencement exercises.

Tickets are required for admission. For free tickets call Carletta Dudley at 985-5138. VISIT From page 1A we told them about the trip. I think they enjoy it as much as the residents." Resident Marie Jordan applauded the children for their singing of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman." "That was good, boys and STABBING From page 1A doubt that Turnage killed Drew with malice and intent. "After listening to all of the evidence, we just didn't feel that Ms.

Turnage was a coldblooded killer," Fretwell said. "We wanted more clarification from the judge before we made our decision. This was a big decision, to have someone else's life in your hands. We didn't feel that we really knew everything that happened in that apartment." On Aug. 25, 1997, Turnage and her roommate Drew argued, according to testimony from the defendant and several witnesses in the apartment complex.

After being cut by Drew on the side of her face, Turnage returned inside the apartment with her own personalized knife and stabbed Drew. In her testimony she said they struggled and the knife stuck in Drew a second time. But District Attorney Steve Graham painted a girls," she said. "I love all of the children." Richardson said they try to plan activities for the residents each month. They have a great list of activities coming up during the month of December.

On Dec. 1 1, the Red Hots will visit the. facility, followed by the Woodmen of the World on the 16th and Martin Middle School Dave Roe Circulation director Keith Abbott Production director Marti Barnes Advertising director $29 Rocky Mount Telegram Rip Woodin Publisher Jeff Herrin Editor Julie Howard Accounting manager Miss your paper? We hope not. But if you haven't received your Rocky Mount Telegram by 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by 7 a.m.

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