Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 13

SECTiOIl Michigan Dateline, Page 2 Obituaries, Page 2 Call City Desk, 1-313-222-6600 JfcltoU 4frcc Stress Friday, November 17, 1995 onds loses his show 010 1 nnl 11 mess strikes admitted. Channel 2 cuts back on news in schedule shakeup ow killer A talk sh I 1 1 by Mike Duffy And John Smyntek Free Press Staff Writers Bill Bonds got an early lump of broadcast coal in his Christmas stocking Thursday. WJBK-TV canceled his "Bonds Tonight" interview show, effective Dec. 26. And it was unclear what the former news giant's next TV role might be.

I Fox-TV affiliate Channel 2 also moved away from its once-proclaimed goal of being the local equivalent of the Cable News Network, announcing a schedule shakeup that eliminated its 4 p.m. newscast anchored by Sherry Margolis and Micah Materre. It also announced layoffs of one part-time and 14 full-time production staffers. General Manager John Spinola said his post-Christmas newscast lineup depends on reconfiguring contracts that lock personalities forexample, Jerry Hodak and Rich Fisher into specific newscasts and roles. "Anything is possible.

But everything is dependent on individuals," Spinola said. "We will work with them. It is not my intent to have people go away." waterfall," Spinola said. "I like Bill," Spinola said, but it was less than a full endorsement: "If there's a way to utilize him here, we will. He's a class guy.

Despite the fact that he's real irascible on the set, he's real nice onfc-on-one." Bonds did not respond to a request for comment. Spinola, who took over the former CBS affiliate in August, said poor October ratings dictated the moves. "This is not a decision based on saving some money. It has nothing to do with anything but how can we make this place better and how we can improve our ratings." On the previous goal of. being a local CNN, Spinola said: "They probably tried to do too much too fast." The 4 p.m.

newscast will be replaced by "Ricki Lake," a talk show with a major following among teens and young especially females. "Ricki Lake," Spinola said, has a better chance, of competing against Channel 7's "Oprah" and Channel 4's "Mon-tel." "Bonds Tonight" will be replaced by "Real Stories of the Highway Pa- BY L.L. BRASIER Free Press Staff Writer Defense attorneys may try to convince a jury that John Schmitz was suffering from mood swings caused by a thyroid disorder when he killed Scott Amedure after the two taped a "Jenny Jones" show last spring. Schmitz, who has been in the Oakland County Jail since March 9, when he shot Amedure to death in a Lake Orion mobile home park, was diagnosed with Graves' disease Nov. 6 at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital.

He was taken there after complaining of being ill and suffering some swelling in the neck. He has returned to the jail and is taking medication. Graves' disease, which received wide attention when former first lady Barbara Bush was diagnosed, affects the thyroid gland and can cause erratic behavior, depression and irritability, according to experts. About 1.2 million people nationwide have been diagnosed with it. Defense attorney James Burdick said he would be reviewing Schmitz' medical records to determine what role they may play in the trial, scheduled for January.

Schmitz is charged with first-degree murder and faces life in prison. "It depends on how long he jias been suffering from it and what impact it may have had," Burdick said. Burdick said Schmitz' family has a history of the disease, and that Schmitz' condition may have been aggravated by manic depression. Schmitz was not taking medication for the manic depression at the time, Burdick said, because he could not afford it. Oakland County prosecutors did not If Police say past argument likely led to Lodge shooting like Bill.

If there's a way to utilize him here, we will John Spinola, general manager Bonds, 62, the town's pre-eminent news anchor before personal problems resulted in his dismissal from WXYZ-TV, Channel 7, last January, could replace Hodak, Fisher or Huel Perkins on the remaining 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts. Bonds could also become a commentator or an editorial director. Bonds has subbed as an anchor with little effect on ratings. "Bonds Tonight," Spinola said, "was a noble experiment but it just didn't work." The show usually finished fifth or sixth in its time slot, both at its initial 11 p.m.

position, and at 6:30 p.m., where it moved in September. "They were backstroking up a gaged to "take the good parts out." Administrators say the edited version is "appropriate for a high 'school setting." Among the changes: When cast members mention drugs, slides are shown of celebrities such as Janis Joplin and Jiml Hendrix who died of substance abuse. When the play covers controversial political issues like the Vietnam War, other points of view are presented with slide-show images and newspaper headlines. Cast member Melissa Munday said she was disappointed, but figures it "is what people wanted, so we're giving it to them." Hair will be performed tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults, and $5 for students and senior citizens.

"I j-, return phone calls. Doctors who deal with the disease say people may behave erratically if they are not taking the necessary medication to control an overactive thyroid. "If the person who has this is extremely agitated or nervous, his span of thinking, or of reasoning is very short," said Dr. Ali Abbasi, a Bloom-field Hills endocrinologist. "That may trigger an immediate response if someone has aggravated or provoked him." Schmitz shot and killed Amedure three days after the two participated in a taping of Jones' show in Chicago.

During that taping Amedure, who was gay, confessed that he had a crush on Schmitz. After the slaying, Schmitz told police that he felt humiliated by the disclosure, and that Amedure tried to pressure him into a relationship. The use of Graves' disease as a defense may be unique. The American Bar Association, which tracks unusual cases, has no record of it being used as a defense, nor does the American Trial Lawyers Association. Local defense attorneys say such an argument could pack a wallop in court.

"It's interesting when you think about it," said attorney Geoffrey Fieger. "It's not a great defense but it is certainly a compelling defense in terms of a strong argument on a conviction of something less than murder." Pontiac attorney Elbert Hatchett said such an argument would be a legitimate defense. "I'm satisfied it's not a sham," he said. "Any respectable behavioral scientist will agree that a medical condition that has an impact on the way people behave has to be considered." Bourke Avenue manufacturing plant, near Linwood and the Lodge Freeway on Detroit's near west side. Police say they think the assailants followed him along Linwood onto the southbound Lodge.

Johnson was headed for the Davison Freeway. "I think he was actually being chased at one point in time and then the vehicle passed him after the shooting," said Stewart, who said the suspects may have continued firing at Johnson's 1985 Ford Bronco after they passed. "The vehicle was last seen going eastbound on the Davison expressway from the Lodge," Stewart said. Police are looking for three men who were in a new black Cadillac Seville SLS with tinted windows and possibly a vinyl top. The car may have had a temporary sticker in the rear window.

Stewart said witnesses saw a passenger in the back seat of the Cadillac slide over, possibly to fire out of a side window. Witnesses identified the man as a white male in his 20s with very short hair. Anyone with information should call the department's homicide division at 1-313-596-2260 anytime. Pick president from academe, regents warned BY MARYANNE GEORGE Free Press Ann Arbor Bureau A top University of Michigan faculty member issued a harsh warning Thursday to the Board of Regents, regents would be "bitten" if they rammed an unqualified successor to President James Duderstadt down the faculty's throat. George Brewer, chairman of the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs, said the faculty will not support a president who does not come jfrom academe.

"We don't bite very often, but we have bitten before and we can bite again," he told the regents. "If an lunqualified president is rammed down lour throats and soon exhibits those lack of qualifications, the Senate assembly is fully capable of a vote of no See U-M, Page 4B File photo Bill Bonds' "Bonds Tonight" was given the pink slip Thursday. trol." The station also announced the Sunday and Saturday morning "Eyewitness Weekend" shows hosted by Michael Collins would be extended from one to two hours each day. The mood around the office Thursday? "It's never a good day when you have to deliver bad news," Spinola said. Commenting on WJBK's long-running inability to boost its news ratings, Spinola said: "It's up to Mort to deliver." News director Mort Meisner didn't return calls for comment Thursday.

DAVID P. GILKEYDetrolt Free Press 4 -1 Christmas every day of the year. We're going to have a big celebration at Thanksgiving and that's important, too, but I don't want to say it's out of hand yet. FP; How long have you been working this area? About 26 years. I love doing it.

1 started as a volunteer at Outer Drive Hospital. My wife, that's Mrs. Claus, and I volunteer there. This might sound odd, but 1 think God chose me for TED j- PRACflCiiiG FOR THE roses parade Above: Sarah Bozinowski reads from her sheet music during band practice Thursday at Jlenry Ford II High School in Sterling Heights. The band was among only 1 1 outside California invited to perform at the 107th annual Tournament of Roses Parade.

Right: Music teacher and band director Rick Nitterhouse conducts the 202-member Falcons Marching Band in preparation for their Jan. 1 high-profile performance. Story, Page 3B. by lori Mathews Free Press Staff Writer Detroit police say Alan Johnson probably knew the men who riddled his Bronco with bullets Tuesday night on the Lodge Freeway and that they were waiting for him as he left work. Police also said the 30-year-old Warren man had disputes with people at his job at a BASF plant in Detroit and away from work.

They initially thought the shooting might have been the result of a traffic altercation. "I don't want to give the impression that this stems from the plant, but there were several conflicts in the past obviously we're investigating those," Commander Gerald Stewart of the department's major crimes division said at a news briefing Thursday. Several months ago, Stewart said, someone who lived near the plant showed up there looking for Johnson. Stewart said the man, who had a dispute with Johnson, has been cleared in the killing. Other investigators said Johnson had a reputation for being a hothead.

Investigators wouldn't elaborate. Johnson's family declined to comment. The attack took place six to seven minutes after Johnson left BASF Santa Claus Harold Lee of Lincoln Park gives a hug Thursday to Whitney Kelly, 5, of Madison Heights. Santa was making his first appearance of the season at Oakland Mall. Whitney told him she wanted her front teeth back.

if 'Hair' gets new 'do School puts Ws spin on Ws musical Santa tunes up his ho-lio-ho a little early BY RICHARD LUNA Free Press Staff Writer i "Ho, ho." Hmm. A little rusty. "Ho, Ho, HO!" Better. "You know, I really don't 'Ho Ho Ho' that much anymore. It scares some of the little kids." Oh.

Santa Claus, (a.k.a. Harold Lee of Lincoln Park, a General Motors Corp. retiree) granted his first interview of season Thursday, just before leading a parade to launch Christmas shopping at Oakland Mall. Free Press: It's not even Thanksgiving yet. Aren't you early? Santa: I hear a lot of talk about it.

I know it adds up to dollars and cents in the mall, but I don't think about that. I don't think that's what it's all about. I wish everybody could live the spirit of MASESpecial to the Free Press BY JEFF MARTIN Free Press Staff Writer The Age of Aquarius is taking back stage to political correctness at Livonia's Churchill High School. "Hair," the 1960s counterculture musical that shocked audiences with its liberal touches of drug abuse, nudity, free sex, foul language and Vietnam-era rebellion, has found a home this weekend in a student production at the school. It rfins through Saturday.

But not without some tinkering and grumbling from students. Gone is the nudity and explicit language of the original production. Students figured on that. What they didn't count on were the changes made after parents called school officials. As described by one student, who asked that his name not be used, school officials were encour- this.

1 feel that in my heart. When I get the suit on, I'm Santa. I take the character seriously. I think there are a jchosen few who make good Santas, and there are a lot of good Santas around. FP: How can you be at so many malls at the same time? I have a lot of helpers.

FP: Exactly, how old are you? Everyone asks that question. My See SANTA, Page 4B.