Board will set hearings on $50 mil school plan

Aware that the action could result in a death sentence, James Bryant Hudson, 55, pleaded guilty Friday to the July 3, 2002 shotgun murders of Patsy Ayers Cole, her husband Thomas Wesley Cole, both 64, and Thomas' brother Stanley Walker Cole, 56, on Virgie Cole Road.
Commonwealth's Attorney John Greenbacker said Friday that he plans to seek the death penalty.
"I absolutely intend on getting the death penalty," he said. "What Mr. Hudson did was a monstrous thing."
Public Defender Buddy Ward, who is representing Hudson, did not contest the Commonwealth's evidence.
"I feel like there is a great bit of speculation involved, but I concede the accuracy of the evidence," Ward said.
During the sentencing hearing, scheduled for March 14, Halifax County Circuit Court Judge Leslie Osborn will decide whether Hudson spends the rest of his life in prison or faces the death penalty.
The guilty pleas resulted in the conviction of Hudson on one count of capital murder, one count of first-degree murder and two counts of the use of a firearm in the commission of murder.
The capital murder charge stems from the murder of the two Cole brothers, while the first-degree murder conviction is the result of the shotgun death of Patsy Ayers Cole.
All three were killed by close-range shotgun blasts, the Commonwealth's Attorney said.
The capital murder conviction carries a penalty of either life in prison or a death sentence.
In addition, Hudson faces 20 years to life for the murder of Patsy Cole, Wesley's wife, and up to 10 years in prison for the two firearms convictions.
In presenting the Commonwealth's case Friday, Greenbacker introduced a transcript of Hudson's September 6, 2002 preliminary hearing, where two witnesses testified that they saw Hudson commit the murders.
"What happened here is well laid out," Greenbacker said. "We have the testimony of two very important witnesses."
One of the witnesses is Martin Celis, a farm worker who was working on the farm at the time of the crimes.
During the preliminary hearing, Celis painted a graphic picture of a summer afternoon in the Hyco community.
"I was watering some plants in the Cole garden," he said.
"Mr. Wesley was with me and later on got in a truck with Mr. Stanley," he added.
The migrant worker further testified he saw the truck go to the driveway and be stopped by a vehicle operated by Hudson.
"Mr. Wesley and (Hudson) got out of the truck and were standing by the driver's side," Celis said.
He added that Stanley Cole was in the passenger side of the Cole vehicle.
A conversation ensued that lasted for a few minutes, according to Celis.
"After that, Mr. Wesley got in his truck and moved it to the side of the road.
"Then (Hudson) got in his truck and pulled out a large gun.
"I saw (Hudson) discharge the weapon, when that happened I ran," the farm worker said through his interpreter.
Celis testified that while he was fleeing the scene he heard more shots.
"I heard Mr. Wesley ask, 'Why are you shooting me?'"
He said that Stanley Cole was shot while sitting in the passenger seat of the brother's truck.
"The shot that killed him, some of it went through the passenger door," the attorney said.
According to Greenbacker, Wesley Cole went to the rear of the truck and fell in a ditch.
"The defendant managed to get over to where he was and put buckshot through (the victim's) head," Greenbacker said the worker testified.
According to testimony from Jennifer Reagan, a neighbor across the street, Hudson then turned his attention to Patsy Cole, who was working in the family garden.
Patsy Cole stood up and asked the defendant if he was target practicing, Greenbacker said.
"He shot her," the Commonwealth's Attorney said.
Greenbacker also introduced autopsy reports from the medical examiner, reports from the ballistic examination of a Browning semi-automatic shotgun, and the gun itself.
Following the presentation of evidence, Judge Osborn found Hudson guilty as charged.
Greenbacker said Friday that the shooting was possibly spurred by a long-standing history of animosity surrounding a driveway that both the Coles and Hudson shared.

Leaf buyout could offer stability for tobacco

For a quota buyout to take place, growers and manufacturers need to speak with one voice and support a specific proposal, Fifth District Rep. Virgil Goode told the approximately 350 people gathered Saturday for the 10th annual tobacco conference at Halifax County High School.
The conference was sponsored by the Virginia Tobacco Growers Association.
"With all of the buyout proposals in the legislative arena," the congressman said. "the problem that I see is there is no unity in tobacco country for any of the bills."
Goode said that several bills are pending in Congress, including his $15 billion proposal that would pay quota holders $8 per pound and $4 per pound for growers.
Under Goode's proposal, co-sponsored by Reps. Rick Boucher of Virginia and Walter Jones of North Carolina, the federal government would purchase quota from producers at the $4 and $8 per pound rates.
"This would wipe out the quota costs and hopefully make American tobacco more attractive to manufacturers," Goode said.
In addition, Goode hopes his proposal will keep flue-cured tobacco growing in Southside Virginia.
"We think this legislation provides the best opportunity for a continuation of a tobacco-growing presence in Southside Virginia," the congressman said last fall.
Goode's proposal also calls for the creation of a 25-member panel that would oversee the production of tobacco, a licensing requirement for growers and the diversion of federal money to tobacco-dependent communities.
"The quota system would be replaced with the licensing program," Goode confirmed.
"Unlike quota, the licenses couldn't be sold, but could be transferred within the family," he added.
"The legislators want the input of the people we represent if we are going to make this type of change," he said.
The congressman said that the chances of a buyout passing in Congress in the current climate are poor.
"Until there's more harmony and unity among the tobacco community, the chances (of a buyout) are not good," Goode acknowledged.
He added that for the tobacco industry to be competitive on the world market, a buyout needed to happen to reduce the price of U.S. grown leaf.
"For our future, and for the future of the tobacco industry, we need to be competitive," he said.
"I would hope that all of you in tobacco country would consider at least talking with one another," Goode added.
He told the growers that if the tobacco community could come to an agreement on a "narrow bill," it would have a chance of passing in Congress.
The amount of quota a farmer holds determines the number of pounds of tobacco he can grow.
Each year, the quota is determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
From 1934 through 2001, Halifax County produced more tobacco, 508.77 pounds per capita, than any other county in Southside. Average production in the county is nearly 20 percent of the total tobacco produced in Virginia.
Tommy Bunn, executive vice-president of the Leaf Tobacco Exporters Association, said that reducing the price of U.S. leaf was imperative if American-grown tobacco is to compete on the world market.
"In 2002, the United States produced 62 percent of the amount of tobacco produced in 1998," Bunn said. "But Brazil has increased its production by 52 percent in the same time frame."
Leaf exporters think that a buyout would lower the cost of U.S. tobacco, making it more competitive.
"Our prediction is that a buyout would cause export sales to increase by removing the cost of quota," he said.
But he warned that the buyout needed to be approved as quickly as possible.
"If there is no buyout, we will soon become a domestic market," the exporter warned. "Because there is no plan 'B'."
Speaking for Philip Morris, Mike Farris, vice-president of leaf for the company, said that the company would support a buyout only if the quota purchase was linked with tobacco regulation by the Food and Drug Administration.
"Philip Morris U.S.A. strongly supports both of these proposals," he said. "It would offer us a more stable future, and the only way to achieve that objective is by linking (the buyout and FDA regulation) together."
Farris said the company would support a buyout if seven conditions were met:
· If existing quota holders were offered fair compensation.
· If the price support program was eliminated.
· If all stakeholders are represented in the buyout plan.
· The integrity of U.S. tobacco should be assured via U.S.D.A. oversight of the industry.
· If the buyout is tied to FDA regulation of the industry.
· Philip Morris would participate in funding the buyout if the amount of money required is "reasonable and equitable."
· If economic development funding is not part of quota buyout legislation.
How do the growers feel about the current uncertainty in the tobacco industry? Kent Hudson, of the Virginia Tobacco Growers Association, offered a clue in his invocation at the start of the conference.
"Please help us to make a living at our chosen profession," Hudson prayed.

Early signs pointing to stampede in sheriff's race

It's just February and the November 4 General Election is three seasons away.
Don't bother telling that to the stampede of people who have already begun the process of qualifying to run for the office of sheriff in Halifax County.
In addition to electing a sheriff and representatives to the Virginia Senate and House, voters will be selecting a commonwealth's attorney, commissioner of the revenue, treasurer, supervisors and school board members in Election Districts 1,4,5,7 and 8, and persons to serve on the Soil and Water Conservation Board.
Based on the number of people having obtained candidate packets for the November 4 general election, the race for the sheriff's badge in Halifax County should be interesting, to say the least!
County Registrar Judy Meeler confirmed last week that six persons had obtained candidate packets and indicated that they will attempt to unseat two-term incumbent Sheriff D.J. "Jeff" Oakes.
When asked last week if he was planning to seek a third term, Sheriff Oakes replied emphatically, "absolutely!"
"I'll stand on my record," said Oakes. "I just want 90 percent (of the vote)."
The list of challengers to obtain election material for the office of sheriff include several former Halifax County sheriff's deputies.
Among the list are former chief deputy Ray Link of Alton, Keith Tribble of Nathalie and Todd Moser of Vernon Hill.
Others include former Town of Halifax police chiefs Shawn Sweeney and Charles ConnerConner is a correctional officer at Blue Ridge Regional Jail in Halifaxand Freddie Edmunds, a South Boston police officer.
Asked to speculate on why so many might seek to be sheriff, Oakes replied, " I have no idea."
In his first election, Oakes faced four other candidates including the then Sheriff Eugene Short.
In his second election, Oakes was challenged by Freddie Edmunds.
The present annual salary for sheriff of Halifax County is $66,276.
Oakes, who runs as a Republican, will be among the slate of candidates entering the June 10 Republican primary election.
Incumbent Senator Frank Ruff of Clarksville and House Delegate Clarke Hogan will both seek Republican Party nominations.
Greenbacker will also seek the Republican Party's endorsement for his third term as commonwealth's attorney. As of last week, no one had obtained qualifying material from the registrar to run for the chief prosecutor's office.
Commonwealth's Attorney earns $95,659 a year.
Incumbent Halifax County Commissioner of the Revenue Danny Jackson and Treasurer Judy Foster have obtained petitions to seek re-election.
Also obtaining material for qualification to run in ED-1 is Dickie Abbott (supervisor) and Jason Parker (school board); ED-4, Carl Furches (school board); ED-5, Charles Purcell (supervisor) and ED-7, Lottie Nunn (supervisor) and G.C. Ratliff (school board).
Both the treasurer and the commissioner are paid an annual salary of $60,571.
All four constitutional officers serve four-year terms while the Clerk of the Circuit Court is for eight years. Incumbent Clerk Bobby Conner's term is up for re-election in 2007.
As of February 1, Halifax County had 20,186 registered voters. The list of qualified voters was recently purged of 205 names.
The names of registered voters failing to vote during two consecutive federal elections are purged. The most recent list of names of purged voters is posted at the courthouse and the registra's office in Halifax.
Persons seeking to run for any office are required to certify their candidacy, obtain on petition the required number of names and signatures of qualified voters, file a campaign expense statement and list their economic interests.
Persons seeking to run in a state primary election must pay an election cost fee of 2 percent of the annual salary of the office for which they seek. If there is no opposition for that office, the fee is returned.
The current state budget proposes the annual salaries of members of the House of Delegates shall be $17,640 and members of the Senate-$18,000.
Members are also allowed compensation at a rate of $200 per day for the time actually engaged in the discharge of their duties, expenses of up to $75 per day, $1,250 per month for office expenses and supplies, $15,000 per calender year additional allowance for secretaries or administrative assistants and per diem and mileage allowance.

Supes take action on Riverstone, six year plan

Comets face key week

For Halifax County, the goal this week is simple - nail down second place in the Western Valley District standings.
First place is gone.
Patrick Henry clinched the regular-season Western Valley District title and an automatic berth in the Northwest Region Tournament with a 77-64 win Saturday afternoon over Franklin County.
What remains is a dogfight for second place in the district standings and a much-coveted home game in the semifinal round of district tournament.
Halifax County is in the middle of it.
The Comets enter this, the final week of the regular season, tied with GW for second place in the district standings.
On paper, the Comets appear to have a slight edge in the quest for that spot.
Halifax County has two district games remaining to play, a contest against last-place Franklin County Wednesday night on the road in Rocky Mount and Friday night's season-ending game here against archrival GW.
GW, which downed E.C. Glass 52-48 over the weekend, has to face Patrick Henry this week before tackling Halifax County Friday night.
E.C. Glass, which dropped a spot with the loss to GW, also has to face Patrick Henry this week.
That could be just enough to open the door for Halifax County to slide into second place by itself.
But, Comets coach Garrett Dillard and his team know that if they want a chance to nail down sole possession of second place they need to down Franklin County Wednesday night and get a big win over GW here Friday night.
"If we beat Franklin County, that keeps us at three losses,' Dillard pointed out.
"Then, if we beat GW, that keeps us with three losses and in second place.
"If we take care of what we need to take care of and win our two district games, we can still finish in second place."
All of that is part of what will be a big and busy week for the Comets, a week that has been made busier by postponements created by last Thursday night's winter weather.
Halifax County will kick off its final week of the regular season here tonight when it faces Coastal Christian Academy and former Comets standout Shamoni Faulkner in a game that was originally scheduled for this date.
Wednesday night, the Comets will go on the road to face Franklin County in a game that was originally scheduled for this past Friday night but was postponed due to weather and road conditions.
Finally, on Friday night, the Comets will face archrival GW here in what is scheduled as the final game of the regular season.
In tonight's contest against Coastal Christian, the Comets will be seeking to snap a two-game losing streak and get back on the right track as they prepare for the two key district games later in the week.
While Dillard and the Comets would like nothing better than to down Coastal, the real focus of this week is the two district games that lie ahead.
Late last week, Dillard called the upcoming game against Franklin County, the next-to-last game of the district season, the most important game his team will have faced to this point.
And, in the same breath, he added, "the goal is to be better than we've been all year."
Tonight's action with Coastal Christian will feature a mix of both boys and girls basketball.
The Comets jayvee boys team will open play at 4:30 p.m. After that, at 6 p.m., the Comets varsity girls will face the Coastal Christian girls team.
Lastly, at 7:30 p.m., the Comets varsity boys team will square off against Coastal Christian.
On Wednesday at Franklin County High School, a ninth-grade game will kick off the action at 4:30 p.m.
The Comets jayvees and Franklin County jayvees will square off at 6 p.m and the varsity game is slated to tip off at 7:30 p.m.

Obituaries

Virginia Sue Kefauver Caskie

Virginia Sue Kefauver Caskie, of Halifax, died Saturday at Halifax Regional Hospital.
She was 72 years of age at the time of her death.
Virginia Sue Kefauver Caskie was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on February 18, 1930, and was the daughter of Floyd Scott Kefauver and Rachel Brown Kefauver.
She was married to Walter Allison Caskie Jr.
Virginia Sue Kefauver Caskie is survived by her husband, Walter Allison Caskie Jr., of Halifax; one daughter and son-in-law, Allison and Lee Kingston of Cincinnati, Ohio; one son and daughter-in-law, Stephen Scott Caskie and Sudie Back of Branford, Connecticut; and one brother, Scott Kefauver of Nashville, Tennessee.
Services for Virginia Sue Kefauver Caskie will be held Wednesday, February 12, at 11 a.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Terry Blevins conducting the service.
Burial will take place in the Halifax Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Halifax County Cancer Association, PO Box 875, South Boston, Va., 24592.

Sue Owen Dutrow

Funeral services for Mrs. Sue Owen Dutrow will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, February 12 at the Riverside Funeral Home in Newport News.
The Rev. Susan H. Cothran will officiate.
Burial will follow at the Peninsula Memorial Park.
Mrs. Dutrow died Sunday, February 9.
She was 84.
Mrs. Dutrow was born in South Boston on August 13, 1918 to the late Richard Owen and the late Sarah Wade Owen.
She graduated from C.H. Friend High School and Longwood College, where she earned a degree in elementary education.
Mrs. Dutrow was a member of the Main Street United Methodist Church in South Boston, where she was married to David Dutrow.
She was a teacher in the Newport News Public School system.
Mrs. Dutrow was currently a member of Wythe Presbyterian Church in Hampton.
She was a beloved wife and mother, and was active in the Girl and Boy Scouts and PTA, and was an official in AAU Swimming.
Mrs. Dutrow is survived by her husband of 59 years, one son, Dr. David A. Dutrow III of Derwood, Md., her daughters, Mary and her husband Frank Emerson of Baltimore and Virginia and husband David Allsopp of Germantown, Md., four grandchildren, David, Matthew, Robert and Elizabeth Allsopp, two sisters, Sarah Wade Owen of South Boston, Bertha Jane and Jack Dunavant of Halifax, and a brother, Richard Owen and his wife Anne of Roswell, Ga.
The family requests that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 895 Middle Ground Blvd., Suite 154, Newport News, Va. 23606.

Thomas 'Tom' Elliott

Funeral services for Mr. Thomas "Tom" Elliott were held yesterday at McGhee's Mill Baptist Church.
The Revs. Frankie Reaves and Jack Stewart officiated.
Burial followed in the Aarons Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Virgilina.
Mr. Elliott died Friday, February 7 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
He was 70.
Mr. Elliott was born in Halifax County on March 25, 1932 to the late Henry Anderson Elliott and the late Annie Laura Hogan Elliott Hall. He was a retired farmer and employee of H.A. Nunn Construction Company. He was a member of Aarons Creek Baptist Church and attended McGhee's Mill Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Katherine Pruitt Elliott of Virgilina, six daughters, Glenda Elliott of South Boston, Carol Elliott of Virgilina, Arlene E. Campbell, of Roxboro, Sarah E. Ingram of Virgilina and Wilma E. Vaughan of Chatham, two sons, Fred Elliott of Alton and Michael Elliott of South Boston, two sisters, Janie Keeton and Marion Davis, both of Buffalo Junction, two brothers, John Elliott of Halifax and Henry "Peewee" Elliott of Cluster Springs, 16 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, two step-grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Henry Anderson Elliott and Howard Stover Elliott, one sister, Mary E. Vaughan and one grandchild.

Frederick Price Sr.

Funeral services for Mr. Frederick Price Sr., will be held Tuesday, February 11 at 2 p.m. with services at Shiloh Baptist Church, 901 Betts St., Danville.
The Rev. Cecil Bridgeforth will officiate.
Burial will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Danville.
Mr. Price died Friday, February 7 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
He was 53.
Mr. Price was born in Danville on January 30, 1950 to the late Charlie price and Minnie Vasser Price.
He was a member of the Shiloh Baptist Church in Danville, and was formerly employed by the City of Danville.
Mr. Price is survived by one daughter, Virginia Byrd of Halifax, one son, Frederick Price, Jr., of Halifax, two grandchildren, two sisters, Laverne Glass and Bobby Jean Sykes of Danville, three brothers, Eugene Price of Charlotte, N.C.,Clifton Price of Absecon, N.J., and Charlie Price of Washington, D.C., one son-in-law, six aunts, two uncles and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Natalie Moore Spears

Mrs. Natalie Moore Spears died Monday, February 3, 2003.
She was 81.
A memorial service was conducted Friday, February 7, at the First United Methodist Church in Hilton.
The Rev. John T. LeGault officiated.
Mrs. Spears was born in Hilton Village, Newport News on September 28, 1921 to the late Weldon E. Moore and Mable Temple Gibbs Moore.
She graduated from Poquoson High School and attended Mary Washington College.
Mrs. Spears retired from the Newport News Public Schools after many years as a substitute teacher and Home Bound teacher.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Hilton, a member of Bithynia Church School Class and was Past Leader #3 and 4 of United Methodist Women. She was also past vice-president of Sedgefield Parent Teacher Association.
Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Jack Clinton Spears, a son, Dennis Blake Spears of Oakland, Ca., and a sister, Dorothy A. Moore of Grafton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 10246 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, Va., or the American Cancer Society, 895 Middle Ground Blvd., Suite 154, Newport News, Va. 23606 or your favorite charity.

Dorothy Ann Testerman

Graveside services for Mrs. Dorothy Ann Testerman will be held today at 11 a.m., at the Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The Rev. Calvin Hines will officiate.
Mrs. Testerman died Friday, February 7 at Danville Regional Hospital.
She was 54.
Mrs. Testerman was born in Danville on October 21, 1948 to the late Arthur Clyde Testerman Sr., and Mary Mims Testerman. She was a member of the Day Spring Baptist Church in Danville.
Mrs. Testerman is survived by one daughter, Dawn M. Testerman of Sutherlin, two brothers, Donald R. Testerman of Swansboro, N.C. and Arthur Clyde Testerman III, of Danville, one niece and three nephews.