This program is 27 minutes long
#494287
(Studio) Supreme Court rules death penalty may not be imposed for rape conviction. Case originated in Georgia.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
(DC) Background of Georgia man, Ehrlich A. Coker noted. Georgia and Florida have men on death row for rape; only few other states have death penalty for rape. Court's decision written by Justice Byron White; dissenters are Justices Burger and Rehnquist. Former justice Arthur Goldberg fought for similar ruling while on court [GOLDBERG - says court must decide issue on basis of vindication of constitutional principle. Notes that decision not totally popular with public.] Decision doesn't rule on death penalty for nonhomicidal crimes.
REPORTER: Carl Stern Unsigned sketches
(Studio) Reactions to decision are mixed. Some women's groups say more rapists would be punished if penalties not so severe. Thought echoed by Coker's attorney after decision. (Film shown.) [Attorney David KENDALL - notes women's rights groups filed brief in support of defense in recognition that excessiveness of penalty keeps rapists from punishment.]
REPORTER: John Chancellor
#494290
(Studio) Congress passed law last year banning federal aid for most abortions, but it was blocked by federal judge's decision. Supreme Court overturns decision today. In Senate, debate on new bill banning federal funding for abortions is in progress. House has already passed bill.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
(DC) Few Senators are in chamber for debate, due to controversy on issue. Debate remarks of Senators Robert Packwood, Charles Percy and Jesse Helms noted. Senator rejects amendments by Helms and Packwood; then prepares for vote on 3rd, which says federal funds can be used for abortion in therapeutic cases. Feeling is that, in end, Congress will pass same law as last year, federal funds can be used only when mother's life endangered.
REPORTER: Catherine Mackin
#494291
(Studio) House votes for pay raise received earlier in year
REPORTER: John Chancellor
(DC) Report on House debate and vote; remarks by Representatives Jim Wright, William Armstrong and Tip O'Neill cited. [ARMSTRONG - counts vote success though he opposed raise; says issue was whether House would face up to vote.] [Charles GRASSLEY - feels defeat was because bill was for rollback of raise.]
REPORTER: Linda Ellerbee Artist: Betty Wells
#494292
(Studio) President Carter will announce B-1 bomber decision at press conf. Thursday; coverage noted. House Commerce Committee votes to keep Carter's plan to keep natural gas price controls. Rejects subcommittee plan to phase out controls.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
(DC) President wins in committee by one vote; says it's victory for consumers. [CARTER - notes fight not over, commends committee mbrs.] Republican Congman., whose vote was decisive, says President phoned him Tuesday, but didn't pressure. [Representative Marc MARKS - cites questions he put to Carter and effect answers had.]
REPORTER: John Cochran
#494293
(Studio) 9 OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) ntns. won't hike prices in July. 2 others, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, have earlier said they won't raise prices of oil and Iraq and Libya have said nothing.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
#494294
(Studio) Econ. indicators index down .2% in May.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
#494296
(Studio) Interview with OMB director Bert Lance, with regard to Congress spending. Anchor notes Congress appropriations, in military construction bill and HEW; asks what administration will do with programs it doesn't want.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
(DC) [LANCE - cites use of budgetary restraints as method of dealing with problem; believes it will please public.]
(Studio) Anchor notes many programs have to be funded next year as well.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
(DC) [LANCE - says some will have to be funded next year and will be dealt with with regard to 1978 figs. Hopes that by 1979 other changes to bring efficiency will take place.]
(Studio) Anchor asks if budget can be balanced by 1981.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
(DC) [LANCE - says yes; notes programs and results that must be considered.]
(Studio) Anchor notes Congress claims that budget cuts made without consulting Congress; asks if it was and is true.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
(DC) [LANCE - believes communication has been good and areas where there's been lack of it have been publicized and others haven't.]
(Studio) Anchor asks if Carter will use veto on budget bills.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
(DC) [LANCE - thinks Carter will use powers he has to make beliefs into reality.]
REPORTER: John Chancellor
#494298
(Studio) Pope Paul VI is defied today as rebellious archbishop Marcel Lefebvre ordains group of priests in Switzerland despite threat of excommunication. (Report not shown.)
REPORTER: John Chancellor
#494299
(Studio) In London, cntries. of Common Mkt. call for Palestinian homeland; also affirm right of Israel to live in peace inside secure boundaries.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
#494300
(Studio) Of all convicted of desertion in World War II, Eddie Slovik was only one executed; widow claims she should get his GI insurance with interest. Hearings held at Pentagon.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
(DC) Testifying is Rabbi David Mack Eichhorn, who was chaplain in 7th Army at time of Slovik's execution. Arguments of Mrs. Slovik's attorney noted. Eichhorn says during Battle of Bulge, 1000's of new troops fled and his superiors told him General Eisenhower was persuaded example needed to be made with execution of one deserter; notes details with regard to how Jewish man from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, picked. Man proved mentally unbalanced and Slovik became example After hearing,Eichhorn won't say if he believes man should have been executed as example, after battle. [EICHHORN - notes perspective in seeing one life lost in war, as opposed to 32 years later.] Correction board expected to Pass recommendation to Army Secretary in couple of weeks
REPORTER: Charles Quinn
#494301
(Studio) Report on Pope and Lefebvre to be shown.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
(Econe, Switzerland) Report on Lefebvre's ordination service and background on conflict with Pope. Service leaves Pope no choice but excommunication, something that would acknowledge split in church.
REPORTER: John Palmer
#494302
(Studio) Teenage girl is abducted from tent at Girl Scout camp near Sarasota, Florida.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
(Osprey, Florida) Charlotte Grosse isn't Scout, but was sharing tent with several Scouts at time of abduction. Details noted. [Police officer Ray PILON - describes footprints followed; prints disappeared.]
REPORTER: Fred Francis
#494304
(Studio) Britain's Virginia Wade upsets Chris Evert in Wimbledon tennis tournament semifinals.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
(Wimbledon, England) Report on match. [EVERT - wasn't thinking; played bad match.]
REPORTER: John Dancy
(Studio) Ex. of Evert's sportsmanship in match noted.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
#670666