The Index-Journal from Greenwood, South Carolina • Page 4

4A The Index-Journal, Greenwood, S.C. Thursday, September 5, 1996 Woman wants to watch killer die COLUMBIA (AP) -For Shelby Lollis, witnessing the execution of Michael Torrence is a duty, a debt owed to her late husband, Dennis, whom Torrence was convicted of killing nearly 10 years ago. Though state law gives her the power to designate someone else to watch Torrence die at 1 a.m. Friday, Mrs. Lollis wanted to do it herself.

loved this man," Mrs. Lollis, who now lives in North Carolina, said Wednesday. "It's my responsibility to him to do Torrence, 34, is scheduled to die by lethal injection. He killed Lollis and Charles Bush during a February 1987 Midlands robbery. A month later, he shot Cynthia Williams, a Charleston prostitute.

Torrence has been asking for the sentence since 1994, the first South Carolina inmate to request the death penalty since it was restored in 1977. "I feel really great," Torrence said in a telephone interview with The (Columbia) State on Wednesday. "It was like a weight came off my shoulders when they read the death warrant to me." Robert South, however, became 'the after first prisoner to, his be executed he abandoning appeals; died by lethal injection on May 31. Torrence was sentenced to death in 1988, but the state Supreme Court overturned the sentence. Another jury again gave him the death penalty, and Torrence petitioned the court in 1994 to allow him to drop his appeals.

A circuit judge i in February decided Torrence was competent. However, Jay Elliott, one of Torrence's court-appointed Yeltsin to undergo surgery MOSCOW (AP) -After months of specualtion about his health, President Boris Yeltsin said today he will undergo heart surgery in Russia at the end of September. Yeltsin, 65, made the announce'ment during an interview with the RIA-Novosti Television. The presi(dential press service refused to elaborate and Yeltsin provided few details. Yeltsin said medical tests revealed he was suffering from heart disease.

Doctors gave him two choices: an operation or a less stressful routine. The Russian president, who has suffered two heart attacks in the past year, has been virtually out of public sight since June, raising speculation that his health had badly deteriorated. Yeltsin said he would not go abroad for the surgery, as had been rumored in the media. "Our cardiological center is able to do such operations. I think that the president is supposed to have operations at home," he said.

Yeltsin did not reveal the nature of the surgery, but there has been speculation that he needs a heart bypass. He suffers from coronary artery disease. The announcement comes a day after Yeltsin's chief of staff promised a new and more open policy on the president's health, which has been one of the Kremlin's most closely guarded secrets. Yeltsin has made just one public appearance since late June, at his Aug. 9 inauguration, where he appeared frail and stiff.

Since then he has been seen only in brief, carefully edited television footage. Aides have insisted that Yeltsin, who was said to be on vacation at a hunting lodge north of Moscow, was suffering from nothing more 66 It's my responsibility to do this. Shelby Lollis, wife of murder victim 99 lawyers, has filed a request to delay the execution, claiming Torrence is not competent to drop his appeals. A hearing was seheduled in federal court today. Hurricane Fran will not cancel the execution, Corrections Department spokeswoman Brenda Reed said Wednesday.

Since her husband died, Mrs. Lollis has left her hometown of Honea Path, settling in a North Carolina town she does not want publicized. "I've not really been settled, not really had a home for the past 10 years. I've lived in houses but not really had a home for the past 10 years," she said. "'There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of my husband or what happened." Her husband's death ended a 25- year relationship, all but two as husband and wife, that began when she was only 15.

She describes Lollis, whom she calls "Dick" as a milda mannered, loving father of three girls who was always trying to fix something in the back yard. "He was all I ever wanted," Mrs. Lollis said of her high school sweetheart. She said she hopes Torrence's death will give her a sense that justice has been carried out. "It can't change what he's done and it can't bring back.

But this will stop him from doing it to somebody else." Lollis' death rocked the family. His parents died two years later, never really getting over their son's killing. The couple's three daughters, all now grown, "have a lot of hurt, a lot of bitterness. I don't think anyone would have a problem pushing a button" to kill Torrence, Mrs. Lollis said.

"They hate him, they actually hate him." The pending execution, however, does not bother Torrence, the prosecutor who won the death sentence says. Donnie Myers met with Torrence last Friday at the inmate's request. "He told me he hadn't lost a damn second of sleep over the execution," Myers said. "Killing someone doesn't bother Mike in the slightest. He thinks it was just a job he had to do." Torrence has a five page-statement to be read by his lawyer, Richard Briebart, at the execution.

"I hope God does forgive him and I hope God can forgive him. But I can't and I don't," Mrs. Lollis said. Torrence would be the third person to be executed in South Carolina this year. Fred Kornahrens was killed July 19, also by lethal injection.

South Carolina has executed 248 people since 1912, seven since the state restored the death penalty in 1977. Hanna Meet Hanna, a small female cocker spaniel mix. She has been at the Greenwood Animal Shelter for two months, waiting patiently for adoption. To take a new friend home, visit the Adoption Center behind the Greenwood Civic Center or call 942-8558. Many kittens and cats Father glued child's eyes shut DETROIT (AP) A man who permanent damage.

Jamison also used Krazy Glue to seal his 5-year- cut Ausia's ponytail off. old daughter's eyes shut has been Jamison, 34, was angry at sentenced to two years in prison. Ausia's mother because she refused Recorder's Court Judge Craig to give him money for drugs, police Strong sentenced Gene Jamison on said. Tuesday, crediting him for the 381 Ausia has Lange's syndrome, a days he served since being arrested genetic disorder that causes mental in August 1995. retardation.

Doctors worked 36 hours to un- Jamison, also accused of attackseal Ausia Jamison's eyes. The glue ing his wife, had pleaded no contest caused abrasions to both corneas, to charges of child abuse, assault although doctors did not expect any and domestic violence. Agency employees not allowed to accept gifts COLUMBIA (AP) Workers in the secretary of state's office may no longer accept gifts because "it is critical that there be absolutely no question involving the ethics of employees of this office," the agency's lawyer said in a memo. The practice came to light after a former intern questioned an employee's receiving two fresh lobsters and a bottle of wine earlier this year. The gift came from someone at a national company that did business with the secretary of state's office, which keeps records and issues certain state-required business documents.

The recipient, Krista Ross, said it was merely a belated Christmas present from a friend. But Mike Anderson, the former intern, alleges the gift was payback for Ross' copying key documents quickly and for free, The (Columbia) State reported today. Ross, who took. another job last month, denies the charge, and so do her former bosses. But they acknowledge that agency employees have long accepted small presents from customers who DEATHS AND Greenwood County Elmo Sanders, 603 Kirksey Dr.

Greenwood Sallyies Stockman, 3214 Highway 25 South, Greenwood James Davis, 8124 Highway 178 South, Ninety Six Abbeville County Ruth Burries, FL. 1, Box 274, Calhoun Falls Others in South Carolina Angie Allison, 2 Mauldin Williamston Lewis Etheredge, Batesburg Outside South Carolina Greg Parker, 106 Fairview Bremen, Ga. James Davis Memorial Hospital. Born in Lincolnton, he was a son of the late David Andrew Davis and Lena Mae Wilson. He was retired from Greenwood Mills and was a member of Good Hope Baptist Church, where he served in the past as a deacon and.

a Sunday School teacher. Surviving, in addition to his wife of the home, are two daughters, Sarah English of Snellville, and Connie Banks of Boiling Springs; a son, Gary Davis of Charlotte, N.C.; five sisters, Christine Geeter of Martinez, Corrine Kitchens of Macon, Mattie Taylor and Vertie West, both of Warrenville, and Eva Lee McDaniels of Graniteville; a brother, the Rev. Charles Wilson of Aiken; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Services will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Good Hope Baptist Church with the Rev.

Wayne Lott and the Rev. Neville Lambert officiating. Burial will be in adjoining cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. Pallbearers will be Larry Roberts, Paul Scott, Jimmy Brown, Richard Tucker, John Geeter and David Geeter.

Honorary escort will be members of the Men's Senior Adult Bible Class of Good Hope Baptist Church. The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 9 at Harley Funeral Home. The family is at the home. In case of inclement weather, please contact Harley Funeral Home for confirmation of service time. NINETY SIX James R.

Davis, 78, of 8124 Highway 178 South, Sandridge Community, husband of Frances Scott Davis, died Sept. 4, 1996, at Self Angie Allison WILLIAMSTON Sarah Angie Wood Allison, 30, of 2 Mauldin died Sept. 4, 1996, at Anderson Memorial Hospital. Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of the Rev. William Byron and Sarah Clamp Wood.

She was a 1984 graduate of Ware Shoals High School and was a volunteer at Calvary Baptist Preschool in Williamston. She was a member of Freedom Fellowship Church in Piedmont. Surviving, in addition to her parents of the home, are a son, Nathan Ray Allison of the home; a brother, Byron Alvin (Al) Wood Williamston; a sister, Mrs. Ross (Fran) Pettit of Simpsonville; paternal grandfather, James Wood of Ware. Shoals; and maternal grandmother, Mrs.

Joseph (Ethel) Clamp of Ware Shoals. Services will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church in Ware Shoals with the Rev. Byron Wood, the Rev.

Carol Peppers- Wray, Pastor Bill Crister and Pastor Ron Carpenter officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. Pallbearers will be Chad Covan, Darron Ginn, Tim Demming, Dendall Wood, Ron Wood, Allen Wood, Daniel Wood and Jonathan Wood. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.

The family is at the home in Williamston. Blyth Funeral Home is in charge. FUNERALS Sallylee Stockman GREENWOOD Sallylee Burress Stockman, 88, of 3214 Highway 25 South, widow of Ivy B. Stockman, died Sept. 5, 1996, at Self Memorial Hospital.

Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home. Elmo Sanders GREENWOOD Wade Elmo Sanders, 83, of 503. Kirksey husband of Helen Rogers Sanders, died Sept. 5, 1996, at Self 1 Memorial Hospital. Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home.

Lewis Etheredge BATESBURG Lewis Milton Etheredge, 40, died Sept. 3, 1996, at the Lexington Medical Center. Born in Saluda County, he was a son of the late James (Jim) and Vergie Harris Etheredge. He was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church and was a former employee of Amick's Poultry. Surviving are a son, Terry Dozier of New York; brother, James Etheredge Jr.

of Saluda; and three sis ters, Lucille Anderson of Ridge Spring and Daisy Coleman and Dianne Johnson, both of Saluda. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mount Moses C.M.E. Church with the Rev. Johnny Gantt of ficiating.

Burial will be in the church cemetery. and. Son Funeral Home is in charge. Ruth Burriss CALHOUN FALLS Julia Ruth Perryman Burriss, 79, of Rt. 1, Box 274, widow of R.E.

Burriss, died Sept. 4, 1996, at her home. Born i in Bordeaux, she was a daughter of the late Robert Walter and Frances Eudora Mitchell Perryman. She was a French Huguenot descendant and was of the Baptist faith. She attended Willington Presbyterian Church.

She was twice married, first to the late Roy E. Wilson. Surviving are a son, Walter Joseph (Joe) Wilson of North Augusta; a daughter, Mrs. Michael 0: (Rhonda) Dorn of Calhoun Falls; and four grandchildren. Services will be Friday at 11 a.m.

at Hartley Funeral Home with the Rev. Lee Kennedy officiating. Burial will be in Midway Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Charles Bradberry, James McAdams, William Mitchell, Michael Mitchell, Edward Johnson and Larry Price. The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 09 at the funeral home.

The family is at the home of her daughter, Rhonda Dorn, Rt. 1, Calhoun Falls. Memorials may be made to Willington Church or to a charity of one's choice. Greg Parker BREMEN, Ga. Harold Gregory Parker, 32, of 106 Fairview died Sept.

3, 1996, at his home. Born in Spartanburg County, S.C., he was the son of Alfred Dewey and Harolyn Kyzer Parker Jr. He was a graduate of Spartanburg High School and was a graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology where he received a degree in Civil Engineering and a Professional Engineering Degree in civil engineering. He was employed with the Georgia Department of Transportation and was of the Baptist faith. Surviving, in addition to his parents of Spartanburg, are two sisters, Leigh Ann Broome of Greenwood, S.C., and Susan Parker Balardini of Greer; paternal grandfather, Alfred D.

Parker Sr. of Pacolet; and maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Harold, Kyzer of Greenwood. Services will be at 11 a.m.

Friday at Floyd's Mor-1 tuary, Greenlawn Chapel with Dr. Kirk Neely offi-1 ciating. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial! Gardens. The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to gl at the mortuary. Memorials may be made to The National Multiple! Sclerosis Society, 2711 Middleburg Suite 105,1 Columbia, S.C.

29204. The family is at the home of his parents, 204 Lor-1 ing Spartanburg. Wealthy eating more like the BOSTON (AP) Affluent Americans are eating more like poor people. And that's actually a good thing. A major new review of U.S.

eating habits shows a wholesale shift away from high-fat foods over the past 30 years. While this is hardly a surprise, the report shows that the change has meant a healthier diet for everyone but especially the affluent, who needed to change the most. Contrary to what many would assume, the study found that in 1965, poor blacks ate far better than welloff whites. Their diets included more grains and beans and less fat. While differing tastes probably played a role, one reason was economic: Unlike the wealthy, the poor then simply could not afford to fill up on luxury foods like red meat and butter things that people now know should be eaten in moderation.

Overall, the researchers saw a 5 percent drop in fat consumption since the 1960s. Everyone's diet has changed, including poor blacks, who are eating less whole milk, red meat and bacon than ever before. However, the shift has affected them less than it has well- whites of well-off whites. By 1991, 24 peror, for that matter, affluent blacks. cent of poor blacks scored in this blacks have al- healthy category.

So did 20 percent ways had a much better. diet, so the of poor whites and 20 percent of changes have been less," said Dr. wealthy whites. Anna Marie Siega-Riz, one of the "The dietary trends in Americans researchers. have been driven mainly by fat," The study, directed by Dr.

Barry Popkin said. "Everybody has deM. Popkin of the University of creased their fat intake." North Carolina, was published in While few well-off blacks were Thursday's issue of the New counted in the early surveys, in later England Journal of Medicine. years the surveys showed that theit Popkin said contrary to what diets are more like wealthy whites some people believe, poor people than poor blacks. don't stuff themselves with snack Health experts recommend that foods more than other people do.

people eat plenty of grains and And higher obesity rates among beans, and here the news is not ent low -income people can be blamed tirely good. on declines in physical activity The study found that while afflug rather than diet, he said. ent whites have increased their in The work, financed in part by take of these foods from four to five Kellogg was based on a re- servings a day, consumption has ack view of U.S. Department of tually fallen among poor blacks -1 Agriculture surveys of 32,000 from six a day to five. Americans between 1965 and 1991.

In an editorial in the journal, Dri People's diets were rated on a scale Shiriki Kumanyika of the from zero to 16. The lower the num- University of Illinois at Chicagg ber, the better considered the food. be A healthy noted that despite the changes; diet was to a score of three-quarters of Americans conting four or less. ue to have less-than-ideal diets. In 1965, 16 percent of poor "As a society, clearly, we still blacks scored below four, as did 9 have a long way to she wrote.

percent of poor whites and 5 percent file papers or need copies of documents such as articles of incorporation. "We often have people send things here, food and all, and we distribute it among the employees," Deputy Secretary of State Paul Allen said. who have a billion-dollar deal and need a search done, they just say 'thank Allen said that hindsight, he should have stopped the practice. On Tuesday, agency attorney Christian Adams sent a memo to employees, banning all such gifts, "'There is no question a mistake by some employees was Adams said. "That will never hap-3 pen again." Secretary of State Jim Miles said he did not know about the presents.

"I'm not convinced there have been any violations of law, but we're not going to have any of this in this Miles said. "I want. it stopped." Gifts had been received "innocently and without understanding the full ramifications," Adams said. "'This has been going on for an extended period of time, for at least 10 years." That leaves Miles in an uncomfortable position. In 1990, he ousted veteran Secretary of State John T.

Campbell with a campaign vowing to crack down on ethical lapses by lobbyists, lawmakers and other state officials. Three years later he pressured key lawmakers into giving up tickets they bought through Clemson for the Atlantic Coast Conference basketball tournament. Since then, legislators have shifted the responsibility for watching lobbyists to the State Ethics Commission. State ethics law bars public employees from receiving anything of value in return for being influenced in the performance of official duties. They also cannot use their office to get an economic interest worth more than $50.

Ross said small presents were not uncommon during her time at the secretary of state's office. One lawyer brought in cake, she said. "People were bringing in thankyou gifts; nobody ever said anything," Ross said. wasn't like they were buying us off." of Census Bureau: Black education rates rise WASHINGTON (AP) The high school completion rate for blacks between the ages of 25 and 29 rose to nearly 87 percent last year, reaching about the same level as their white peers for the first time, the Census Bureau said today. That education level for all adults 25 and older reached nearly 82 percent -the highest since it was first measured by the bureau in 1947, a Census report said.

"The long-term rise in educa- tional attainment for the general The percentage of adults 25 aged adult population is driven principal- and older who said they had comly by the replacement of older less- pleted at least high school peaked educated people by younger people not only for the entire who have completed substantially but for each sex and for both blacks population, more education," the report said. and whites, the bureau said. The proportion of adults who had earned The findings are based on data a bachelor's degree also was at a collected in bureau's Current record high 23 percent last the year. Those questioned were asked to most important influences Population Survey in March 1995. completion is one of the on ecostate the highest grade or degree nomic well-being," says Jennifer they had completed.

Day, author of the report..