38 Pages This Week
: iAl v. - .
M' v ' ?>. "V- -I M |
A' 't .H : \* - - ft f r.| i. r- ? , ' '
-Salem Chronicle
50 cents ?? -~~4^?:? . . "The Twin City's Award-Winning Weekly" VOL. XVI, No. 9
Smith's backers go to Wood
By TONYA V. SMITH
Chronicle Staff Writer
Afro-American Democrats who a week ago supported
G. Dee Smith for mayor said they will have no problem
supporting Martha S. Wood, however, they doubt that the
same consensus exists among whites in Winston-Salem.
On Oct. 17 Mrs. Wood won the Democratic nomina
tion beating Mr. Smith 8,957 to 8,110 votes, according to
official figures from the county Board of Elections. (Mrs.
Wood picked up 24 votes after the board's canvass on Oct.
19.) Her victory put an end to what some community lead
ers have called nasty campaigning.
Workers in Mrs. Wood's camp alleged that their coun
terparts in Mr. Smith's corner instigated racial disharmony
by telephoning potential voters and asking them to call a
Diai-a-Klan_recordefl message that was demeaning to Mrsr
Wood and to Afro-Americans.
?Mrr-Smith denied any association with the Klan but
has said that some of Mrs. Wood's workers-, particularly
attorney Larry D. Little, were responsible for tagging him
a racist. As a result of that tag and other negative cam
paigning, Mr. Smith said, he lost the election.
Some white Democrats have said they would rather
vote for Republican challenger Lenville M. Sale than cast
a lot for Mrs. Wood. However, Afro-American Democrats
who supported Mr. Smith said they will support the
woman nominated by the party.
"I support the Democratic ticket," said Vivian H.
Burke, alderman of the Northeast Ward. "Mrs. Wood has
won the Democratic nomination and I will support her
because she's on the Democratic ticket. Things like this
just don't bother me and it shouldn't bother members of the
Pfease see page A6
Beatty sentenced to 46 months
By TONYA V. SMITH
Chronicle Staff Writer
Attorneys John A. Dusenbury Jr.
and Larry D. Little wished they could
have taken their client home with
them at the conclusion of Tuesday's
trial in U.S. Federal District Court,
but Celeste E. Beatty was bound over
to the court and sentenced to serve 46
i months in prison.
Ms. Beatty was convicted of rob
/oing the Friendly Center Branch of
Gate City Federal Savings arid Loan
* and five oiher banks in the Triad. She
' was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury
March 21 on the six counts of bank
robbery. Originally Ms. Beatty faced
a maximum sentence of 25 years
and/or a $250,000 fine. However, she
was sentenced under newly installed
federal minimum sentence guidelines
which meant she could receive as
many as 51 months in jail or as few as
41 months.
"Of course we would like to have
seen her come home, but under the
federal guidelines I certainly think the
judge did the best he could under the
circumstances," said Mr. Little.
"Celeste needs treatment and help and
hopefully she'll get that now. That
was a concern and recommendation
of the judge - that she be sent to a
facility that could offer her the help
she needs."
Ms. Bcatty, 25, had confessed to
robbing the banks. It was later
revealed that she was suffering from a
severe schizophrenic illness that
prompted her to eat dirt and corn
starch and pull her hair, according to
the report and testimony of psycholo
gist John F. Warren.
"Unfortunately," Mr. Little said,
"psychologists for the state saw fio
mental problems in Celeste. Celeste
had been a model citizen in our com
. munity. I have watched her carefully
since March 1, and I have known fter
since she was a child, and I am con
vinced that she will make a major
Please see page A2
Honeycutt's attorney says DA violated client's constitutional rights
Judge Margaret Sharpe
By TONYA V. SMITH
Chronicle Staff Writer
A judicial soap opera that began two weeks ago climaxed this week as the
principal who had been charged with nine assault on children charges had his
attorney turn the tables of justice, putting the District
Attorney's office on trial.
On behalf of his client, William E. Honeycutt, attor
ney Daniel S. Walden accused the state prosecutors of
violating the defendant's constitutional rights. Mr. Walden
also accused District Auomey Warren Sparrow of making
decisions that circumvented the judicial system for per
sonal political reasons. Mr. Sparrow is up for reelection in
1990. Mr. Walden asked for an injunction against th^
state, preventing it from ever charging Mr. Honeycutt
based on incidents that occurred on buy #551 orr Sept 11.
The former principal of Mineral Springs Elementary
School was tried and acquitted on Oct. 10 of seven
charges of assault on children less than 12 years old. Mr.
Honeycutt was only recently replaced at Mineral Springs
and temporarily reassigned to a position in the schools'
administrative offices. The children had accused the prin
cipal of shoving, kicking and slapping them. He was scheduled to appear in
court Oct. 20 on two additional charges. However, the parents who filed the
most recent charges, Angelita L. Cherry and Peggy A. Groom, wanted the case
continued to allow the district attorney's office to respond to a list of requests
submitted by them and the Concerned Mothers of Forsyth County.
Incumbent: V. K. Newetf
By TONYA V. SMITH from the front porch of the East Ward
Chrontcie Staff Writer alderman's home one has a clear view
of the city skyline. The reigning
Virginia K. Newell - alderman, alderman of 12 years has been busily
community activist, business woman, answering the hundreds of letters,
educator, mother - experienced earli- which she has stored in a manila
cr this week an emotion that she isn t envelope that's the size of a large gro
very accustomed to: loneliness. ccry slore 0f condolence that
For the first time in nearly 50 have arrived from across the country.
years she is without her husband, ? J m coming through this all
George Fisher Newell, who died Oct, * guess my religion
10 after a lengthy illness. 15 helPinS- U makcs mc rcalize 11121
form, Mf* NeweH *?r aU of us death is just a part of liv?
n't have the blinds closed in her home in* Fvt outpouring
that's nestled in the middle of the cul- suPP**1 ^rom throughout the coun
dc-sac off Pickford Drive. Ironically, Please see page A6
4
\ y
n <
African art
collection
on display
By ROBIN BARKSDALE
Community News Editor
Baubles, bangles and beads
are all over the place at Jesse's
Frame Shop and West End
Gallery on Fourth Street. Hun
dreds of pieces of ceremonial
beadwork and traditional jew
elry from sub-Saharan Africa
are part of an exhibit that will
im i?iTTirm rs c r?no r
? pgi
The exhibit features an
array of designs and figures
crafted from beads, fabric and
wood. The collection, which
belongs to Winston-Salem resi
dent Jim Lankton, includes art
work from Mali, Cote d'lvoire,
the Cameroon and areas of
West Africa.
The gallery's Jerry Hat
maker said that Mr. Lankton
collected some of the items in
the exhibit but that many items
were given to him by friends
who are native Africans.
"He doesn't buy these
things** said-Mr. Hatmaker.
"Espec ia 11 y nof an ymore7Tt's
Photo by Mike Cunningham just so difficult to buy these
Ancestor figures, like this beaded craft from the Cameroon, are kinds of things and bring them
among the more than 1,000 pieces on display In the West End Gallery. Please see page A2
'' vy'
? . ? V. ? ' *
'Ukm
denies defense request for injunction, warns parents
of potential for charges against them
The 17 mothers met with Mr. Sparrow Thursday morning and asked for a
continuance because they needed more time to prepare their case. They said
they needed more time to subpoena additional witnesses, Alderman Vivian H.
Burke, Assistant Superintendent Annie Hairston and executive superintendent
of schools Palmer Friende, and to subpoena the former principal's work record
Parents undaunted by judge's warning
By TONYA v. SMITH Mr. Honeycutt, 52, had been 24, Mr. Honeycutt has resembled a
Chronicle staff Wnter the principal of Mineral Springs quiet, caring father. His gold
Elementary School for 10 years, rimmed-glasses,, conservative suits
Sitting calmly, very relaxed i_aSt week, a successor was named and tics and slightly receding hair
with his legs crossed and arms lo ^is p0Siti0n as a result of the line demand the respect young
folded, William E. Honeycutt was criminal charges filed against him children and adults alike give to a
the picture of innocence this week aiMj ^ Honeycutt was t&mporari* man of his stature. His wifev other
in Forsyth County District Court, jy m0ved to the city-county family members friends and his
He definitely did not resemble the school's central office, pastor have joined him in the
man who 12 children said flew courtroom as a sign of support
into a fury of rage and assaulted Throughout his appearances in
them. court on Oct. 10, Oct 20 and Oct. Please see page A2
with the Winston-Salcm/Forsyth County School System.
The parents also told the district attorney that they wanted a different pros
ecuting attorney to try the case - preferably Todd Burke, an Afro-American,
and they didn't want Judge Margaret Sharpe to preside over Mr. Honeycutt's
second trial. . .
On Oct. 20 assistant district attorney John W. Totten asked Judge Sharpe
for a continuance of the case. Mr. Walden, however, objected and said he was
filing a motion alleging double jeopardy - meaning the state wanted a second
chance to try to convict Mr. Honeycutt using the same evidence and witnesses
heard in the first trial. The defense attorney cited two North Carolina laws and
a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that basically outlaws grad
ually trying individuals in cases involving several victims
if the prosecution has identified all the victims before the
trial.
Judge Sharpe said she would continue Mr. Honey -
cutt's trial until Oct. 24 to give her an opportunity to read
Mf. Walden's motion. After the case had been continued,
Mr. Totten took a voluntary dismissal of the newly filed
cases - something he said Mr. Sparrow and his co-work
ers had agreed upon doing if the case was not continued.
In court Tuesday, Mr. Walden filed a new amended
motion and charged that members of the district attor
ney's office telephoned witnesses he had subpoenaed on
Friday and told them the case would be continued and
there was no need for them to appear in court. He called
the witnesses he had subpoenaed last week, Ms. Cherry^
' Ms. Grooms and Dctcctivc A.D. Sims of the city police
department, to the stand Tuesday and asked them if the district attorney's office
instructed them not to appear in court Friday.
Ms. Cherry and Ms. Grooms said they had received a telephone call, but
Please see page A2
BATTLE FOR THE EAST WARD
Virginia Newell
C h al I e n g errRrftowe 11
By ROBIN BARKSDAlE _ city in the 1960s in search of answers
Chronicle Staff Wnter [Q 0f problems he saw in his
home community. By gaining a
The Republican candidate for ^roacjer perspective of the world, he
East Ward alderman says he has a dif- saj^ fcjt wou|(j better able to
ferent perspective on politics, one that C0TTCCl somc 0f trouble areas in
allows him to view his decision to Winston-Salem.
seek public office more as a calling ^acl t0 uncjcrstancj people in
than any type of personal choice. poverty. I looked at situations in my
Richard Rowell, who will face community and they confused me. 1
incumbent Virginia Newell in the wanted to know if it was that way
November general election, began his everywhere. I was determined to find
journey to political office on a road a way to make thin$0>ctter for
that would take him to New York, myself and my community," said the
Wisconsin and Mexico. A native of 42-year-old Mr. Rowell. "I came back
Winston-Salem, Mr* Rowell left the Please see page A6
Richard Rowell