The Index-Journal from Greenwood, South Carolina • Page 1

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75th year No. 266 16 Pages 2 Sections 250 1 VI i i'j I I Iff 1 'i mT 1 i 'L Aft HigSa CoMrt limits property forfeiture in eases on drags I '14 I 4 an pension plans do business. Refused to review a ruling that requires Florida to provide Medicaid coverage for a 19-month-oId boy who doctors say won't survive without a liver-bowel transplant. Declined to use a Tennessee death penalty case to decide an issue that could have affected about half the states with capital punishment laws, the justices said they had made a mistake in agreeing to hear the case involving a murder committed during the course of another major crime. Writing for the court in the property forfeiture case.

Justice Anthony M. Kennedy said: "Although Congress designed the drug forfeiture statute to be a powerful instrument in enforce ment of the drug laws, it did not intend to deprive innocent owners of their property." "Unless exigent circumstances are present, the due process clause requires the government to afford notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard before seizing real property subject to civil forfeiture," Kennedy said. Chief Justice William H. Re-hnquist dissented, calling the decision "ill-considered and disruptive." Last June, the court ruled that seizures of drug-related property are subject to the Constitution's 8th Amendment protection against excessive fines. Today's decision upheld a federal appeals court ruling that said (See Court, page 2) WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court today limited a major weapon in the war on drugs, ruling the government can seize real estate allegedly linked to drug trafficking unless the owner first gets a court hearing.

The 5-4 ruling marked the second time in recent months that the high court has reined in the government's power to take over property it contends was involved in a drug crime. In other actions, the justices: Ruled that a federal pension-protecting law can be used to keep a closer watch on how insurance companies manage hundreds of billions of dollars in workers' pensions. The ruling could change dramatically the way insurance companies and 'Hornet' strolls parade route It's Sting! Not really, only the Ware Shoals Hornet enjoying a stroll down Greenwood Avenue during the Ware Shoab Christmas parade Sunday. (Staff photo by Patricia Edwards) 4 Troy parade success in second year By TERRY WARD Staff writer TROY A scout troop, the McConnick High School Band, beauty queens and Santa Claus on a bright red fire truck helped the town of Troy usher in the Christmas season Sunday. "It was a wonderful parade and it was made possible by the effort of the whole community," (See Troy, page 2) Parade ushers in COLD weather in Ware Shoals By PATRICIA EDWARDS Staff writer WARE SHOALS It was only fitting that one of the last Christmas parades of the season seemed to usher in what felt like the coldest weather yet MAYBE it was a coincidence.

Then again, maybe it was the doings of the Jolly Old Man himself who made his way Sunday through the town of Ware Shoals atop a flat-bed truck, Maybe. But it would be a safe bet that there weren't many people at Sunday's parade who probably wouldn't agree that, yes, it was. beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. Plus they got a look at the best Ware Shoals parade in years, said Dan Traynham, streets and sanitation supervisor AND parade organizer. "I guess I was I had to put the whole thing together," Traynham said, laughing, of his parade duties.

"And it was cold." Traynham estimated that at least 80 units were entered in this year's parade, although getting everyone in motion for the 3 p.m. start time turned out to be total chaos. The planned staging of the event sort of blew away with the brisk wind, Traynbam said, noting that he basically had to wing it when everyone arrived for the start "But it came out alright," be added. (See Ware Shoals, page 2) Anticipate Santa More than 300 people lined the streets of Troy Sunday anticipating the arrival of Santa Claus. Santa and Mrs.

Claus did not disappoint them, making the scene with waves and a handful of candy. (Staff photo by Terry Ward) Treaty endorsed; U.S. aid pledged ALMA-ATA, Kazakhstan (AP) Kazakhstan's parliament today endorsed the Nuclear Nonprolif-eration Treaty and the United States quickly pledged more than $84 million to help the former Soviet republic dismantle its nuclear arsenal. At a ceremony in Alma-Ata, Vice President Al Gore and Kazakh Premier Sergey Teresh-chenko signed agreements making the Central Asian nation eligible for technical and financial assistance in dismantling its 1,400 warheads. The parliament vote on the treaty came after a morning meeting between Gore and President Nur- (See Treaty, page 2) Endeavour astronauts back home CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.

(AP) Seven Endeavour astro nauts returned home in triumph today after accomplishing the biggest repair job in space history refurbishing the Hubble space Telescope. Endeavour swooped through the black Florida sky, caught in (See Astronauts, page 2) Extremists take early lead in Russia elections MOSCOW (AP) Extreme nationalists and other opponents of President Boris Yeltsin led in early parliamentary election results today, riding a wave of public anger over the stinging cost of economic reforms. With 25 of Russia's 89 districts reporting, the openly racist Liberal Democrats of Vladimir Zhirinovsky led with 23 percent of the vote. The main pro-Yeltsin group, Russia's Choice, was second with 12 percent, while two other Yeltsin foes, the Communists and the Women of Russia bloc, followed with 9 percent each. Pro-Yeltsin groups hoped to pull ahead in Moscow and other big cities, where the counting of paper ballots from Sunday's election was slow.

But the reformers' chances were fading. (See Russia, page 2) Prosecutors want option on immunity COLUMBIA (AP) Attorney General Travis Medlock and other state leaders say they will urge legislators to amend the state constitution to give prosecutors the option of "use" or limited immunity, which they say is a crucial tool in some cases. Prosecutors thought the option already was available until the (See Immunity, page 2) Forecasters predict brighter picture COLUMBIA (AP) An improving economy and careful planning after three years of shortfalls will bring South Carolina government more extra money than it has seen in years. But state agencies want even more. Revenue forecasts predict $172 million in new revenues for the fiscal year, which begins July 1.

When legislators drew up the budget now in effect, they had only $15 million in extra money. If forecasts hold up and reserve funds aren't needed, the state could see up to $300 million extra to use next year, on top of the $3.7 billion that existing government services already cost, budget planners say. (See Better, page 2) "it by He fc McCormick mystery leads to journey to West Coast DAYS UNTIL CHRISTTJAS Gun laws won't reduce availability WASHINGTON (AP) Guns are so easy for young people to nhtain in crime-ridden urban neighborhoods that new laws controlling ineir saic prooaoiy would not reduce their availability, a Justice Department study concludes. Twenty-two percent of 758 hnvt at 10 inner-dtv hieh schools reported owning guns in 1991, and 11 percent saia uey caney weanans routinely, according to the study by two Tulane Univer sity sociologists. In addition.

83 Dercent of 833 juveniles in the same age group woo were incarcerauxi ior serious crimes at six detention centers said they owned guns at the time then arrest. Guns were easily available to students and inmates, either at home or "on the street," said the 'By DEAN LOLLXS Staff writer McCORMICK Sines April, McCormick Probata Judge Ronnie KMd has been asking lot of questions. Unfortunately, be has fond very little the way of solving his McCormick mystery. In January: early-February, Kidd, probate judge In McCormick the past 11 years, "Via appear a NBC's "Unsolved Mysteries" u.televt-, sioB show fat an attempt to locate some living relatives of Walter Rice. Following ap an anonymous hone tip in April, McConnick iw officers found the body of Rice in bis trailer in McCormick.

Reports indicated Rke btJ beea dead for 14 months, Kidd said that a the day Rice died, he had a car accident la Greenwood and bad ridden home ba a taxi. That evening, be said, authorities be-Beve Rice died in bis borne. cause of death, be said, Is Bsfed as natural causes, and there Is no way to know If the death wa related to Injuries suffered In the accident Kidd said bis research showed Rice bad beea reclusive and bad very little contact with hit neighbors. Therefore, Kidd said, when the neighbors did not see Rice's car In the driveway, they Just assumed Rice had moved away. 7 No one knew of any living relatives of Rke fat the McCormick area, Kidd said.

Under South Carolina tow, the funeral director asked him, as the probate judge, to serve as administrator of Rice's estate. After looking Into the estate, Kidd round that Rke had approximately $130,000 and be (See Mystery, page 3) Llystcry in LlcCormicIi Ronnie KUd, probate Judge for McConnick County, looks for answers to the mystery of Walter Rice. lib search for relative of the mu authorities found dead In bis McConnick has takes Kkid to California for filming of a segment for KSCs "Unsolved Mysteries" TV show. (Staff photo by Dean Los) --i. v.

(See Can page 2).