New Jersey Nightly News; New Jersey Nightly News Episode from 12/03/1980 7:30 pm

Illinois. For the second time in a week the Newark police officer is shot. Rutgers football coach Frank Burns talked with Syracuse and we have plenty of basketball highlights for you and sports that will take a closer look at the issue of paying the families of murder victims. New Jersey likely names we had Bill Perry. Good evening for the second time in six days a Newark police officer has been gunned down while trying to stop a robbery. Forty six year old James Bracken is in stable condition after being shot during an attempted hold up of a Newark liquor store. Raj Wells has more.

Yesterday most of the Newark police force attended the funeral of a 22 year veteran of the force killed during a bank robbery last Friday. Today police were holding a hospital vigil for another 20 year veteran shot this morning. Officer James Bracken went into this liquor store to play the ticket lottery. Three armed men were in the process of robbing the store's owner. Officer Bracken pulled his revolver but never got a chance to fire a shot. The suspects turned on the officer and bracken was hit by two bullets one in the face. The other lodged in his chest. The officer staggered into the street. The suspects got away. Oddly enough this liquor store is less than a hundred yards from a police station and the suspects were quickly apprehended. Meanwhile Newark police officials were stunned and bitter about the two recent attacks on police officers. I believe that there's a message in this for everyone. Well at least they should be. And that is pervasive in the level of violence in the cities today has reached the point where it is almost

unlivable if the courts have come down hard on criminals it would make things a lot more bearable for officers that have to risk their lives on the line every day. Officer Bracken was reportedly shot with a 22 caliber pistol and Newark's chief of police Charles was visibly shaken by an incident that he termed senseless. I hope you know we're all angry and I hope the governor gets his message signed a bill on his desk on gun control crime statistics in Newark have risen sharply in the last two years and local officials are concerned that police are overpowered and have now become part of the city's crime statistics in Newark. Well. They shooting comes only a day after Attorney General John Degnan is comprehensive proposal for beefing up the fight on crime. The report also calls for more state control over the performance of local policemen. More money for police protection and the use of state police in urban crime patrols. Some of those proposals will require legislation. All of them will require local police cooperation

but that may not come easily. Reports. Everybody wants to wage the war on a lot of people don't agree with Attorney General John. Doing it. Senator Frank Graves is chairman of the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee and he has already introduced bills to increase police departments by 5 percent and pay for it with a two cent tax on cigarettes. The idea of using state police in urban areas just won't wash. And Paterson Mayor Pat Kramer says it will be unfair to rural communities which now depend on the state police for their protection. We have more people on the streets in the cities of course. Present company included but not at the expense of our sisters in the suburbs.

That's not the way the union says the city is so shorthanded that the state police can only help temporarily. He's concerned that over the long haul of state police are always around it may tempt the mayor to cut back on local police. When the state police to come into the city. The option of reducing further our police department. Feeling that well I'm getting free protection from this. Therefore why should I pay a policeman to patrol the streets. And how do the state police feel about their role in this proposal. Well state police union members will be picketing in front of the governor's mansion and Attorney General John Degnan house in Princeton on Sunday. They're asking for higher wages. A spokesman for the state police union told us today that his members are concerned about going into cities and doing the work of local cops who are paid a lot more than they are.

The attorney general says he has the power right now to send state police into the cities and he'll do so within two months. As for Deggans other proposals police performance standard state monitoring of incompetent or corrupt departments and the waiver of state spending limits for more police that will take legislation and political maneuvering further down the line. I Mariama Rosso. The jury is still out on the trial of Congressman Frank and awaiting a verdict on the charges of bribery and conspiracy. For. The hour of deliberation here at federal court in Brooklyn there's no word as to a decision it may be but we do know something of those eight men and four women have been doing this since midday yesterday when the process first began of course to decide the guilt or innocence of a long time congressman both charged with conspiracy and taking in connection with the Abscam. And so far the jury

has done some listening and some reading talking about this case. The panel is asked to review at least one videotape Thompson's second meeting with undercover agents. The government says he did accept a $50000 payoff. The jury is also asked to rehear some of the testimony given during the trial including statements from Pennsylvania Congressman John Murtha. To the testimony. He told the court that his law partner alleged bag man Howard Criden told him that Thompson and Murphy accepted bribes. Finally the panel's asked for written copies of the three hour charge read to them yesterday by Judge George Pratt. And while they continue to look their way to a verdict somewhere in the Brooklyn courthouse they're not entirely alone in the reporters and news crews await their verdict in the courtroom. Thompson and Murphy wait too.

And earlier today Steve Callistemon Thompson's attorney spoke briefly with reporters as he has been optimistic about his future. And as you watch your way do you read anything I do not and never have been able to. We were curious. Good morning. The House of Representatives has just approved a 1.6 billion dollar national Superfund to help clean up hazardous chemical spills across the country. The bill already approved by the Senate could provide up to 100 million dollars. Mehta head is here with more. The State Department of Environmental Protection has a list of some 200 potentially hazardous waste sites which could use the money to begin cleanup operations right away. The total could go as high as 300 when all of the landfill studies being conducted by the department are completed. The new bill calls for finding applications on a person basis and

the state will initially request funds for only about six sites that alone will cost upwards of forty five million dollars. Funding will come from a combination of general revenues and industrial taxes. But some congressional leaders are concerned the bill does not go far enough to include protection against oil spills. The measure is limited to hazardous chemical waste dumps and spills New Jersey Democratic Congressman James Florio had hoped to make some changes in the bill when it reached the house today but he backed down under pressure that any amendments might jeopardize its passage. DP officials say New Jersey has a good chance of getting most of the funding it wants because Senator Bill Bradley and Congressman Florio were instrumental in getting the bill through Congress. Officials add it is impossible to estimate how much it will cost or completely decontaminate all of the state's hazardous dumps. But funding applications will be made for as many sites as possible. Aaron. Thank you Ken. A Perth Amboy chemical disposal company mean Ronnell and its president were indicted today for embezzling state sales taxes and filing false tax returns. Duane

marine salvage Corp. and President Eduard look Karo were named in the state indictments. They were charged with embezzling about ninety nine thousand dollars in sales taxes and failing to report another 15000 collected from customers. The company was also charged in September with illegally dumping more than a half million gallons of toxic chemicals into Perth Amboy sewer system. It was also among those dozens of businesses heavily damaged in last July's industrial chemical fire in Perth Amboy that tax case now goes to Middlesex county court for trial. Ever since Governor Bearn stern warning to organized crime to stay out of Atlantic City federal state and local law enforcement agencies have been watching who is doing what in that casino town. One fear was that the mob would infiltrate unions and force casino owners to buy labor peace. Recent published reports of alleged mob influence in two Atlantic City Unions have renewed the debate over how to keep the mob out. South Jersey correspondent Don Torrance reports.

There are two important points to be made in this story first there are no allegations of criminal activity being made by law enforcement officials now no evidence being brought to any grand jury. Second it is not new that unions are being watched closely for organized crime infiltration law enforcement organizations of theorize for a long time that organized crime would try to influence or profit from Casino development in Atlantic City either through ancillary businesses like vending machines or through labor unions. State restrictions on who can own a casino are so tight that it would seem ownership is the path of greatest resistance for the mob. So it's unions and support businesses that law enforcement agencies have been monitoring very closely where you have significant concentration of power that either can influence the operation of a casino or by way of de facto control or control the operations of a casino where you identify that type of power then you want to see to it that it is effectively checked and regulated so that persons of unsavory reputations do not

become involved with the source of that power. One of the two unions on the law's suspect list is Local 54 of the hotel restaurant and bartenders International. It represents many hotel and casino workers. The local president is Frank your race and he says since there are no accusations being made in court the union is being picked on. We're not under any indictments were not under any scrutiny. They're monitoring guys which are monitoring every unit monitored were always being monitored. We monitored by the federal government the Casino Control Commission the SEIU the FBI all unions are monitored on a constant basis. And all it is is just to try and discredit Linux and even the gambling. I wonder if all these articles would be there if it weren't that I was the president of this union or if it wasn't that I was. I tell you. But investigators say major organized crime figures from Atlantic City and Philadelphia are closely associated with Local 54. And with the roofers union control of either could give organized crime what prosecutor Williams calls monopolistic control of the casino

business. They are two unions that certainly deal with significant segments of our economy here. So the unions will be watched but Williams says local agencies need revisions in federal labor laws to help keep the mob out of unions in Atlantic City I'm Don Torrance. Two former state officials have resigned their positions with the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City but they say they'll still provide legal services for the casino. Former State Senator Martin Greenberg has been has been president of the Golden Nugget since January. He says he is returning to general private law practice but his form will still represent the Golden Nugget and offer S.A. former deputy attorney general for the state's Division of Criminal Justice is resigning his job as vice president of golden nuggets casino operations will also set up private practice in Atlantic City and serve a special counsel for the Golden Nugget. Toms river pilot is in fair condition tonight after a harrowing experience yesterday. He fell out of a 10

passenger plane and dangled 9000 feet above ground when a rear door of the aircraft fell open. Thirty four year old James Tobin a Vietnam veteran did suffer a broken arm. He's now in Toms River Hospital. Tobin and copilot Robert Pierce were on their way from the Army's command. It pickets any arsenal in Dover with a lot of light weapons to be delivered in Maryland while Tobin dangled head first. Pierce made an emergency landing at Solberg airport in hundreds in county it was Tobin's first day on the job as a civilian pilot. Now here is the weather forecast for the states and it will have clear skies it will be windy and very cold temperatures will be in the upper teens to low 20s. It will be partly sunny and cold again tomorrow. Highs will be in the mid to upper 30s. And the outlook for Friday partly cloudy and cold. And now here is correspondent Gus Henning Broga new work with tonight's closer look.

Can any way be found for a convicted double murderer to make financial restitution to the survivors of the victims. That question was once again from before New Jersey's courts on Monday when the state parole board affirmed its determination to parole Thomas Trentino Trentino convicted in 1964 of the murders of two known eye policeman is awaiting the outcome of his parole appeal. At a minimum security facility near Atlantic City reporter Steve Taylor tapped the Trentino earlier this week. The greatest part of my life has been spent in prison. But I cannot allow even that to prevent me from doing what is right doing what is good and trying to live trying to get some life for as long as I live. And regardless of what I did in the past whether you believe I killed anyone and I am not that person now and

that's a person you should be looking at. Shailene is Thomas Dante and I was right. She was a faculty member a teacher of English at Essex County College and was trying to you know in your judgment is it possible to make monetary restitution for the life of a human being. Trout one felt that it was not possible. I don't believe it was the intent of the parole bill that on monetary restitution was to be made for life. That restitution was her rehabilitation and I want to see how it could be possible. We feel very strongly that the law. Not being used in this case for rehabilitation but in fact to punish Tommy to be used as a tool to keep him in prison as long as possible. And it's very very disturbing to us. Heartbreaking. Well let's assume for the moment that. Somebody is found to come up with a dollar value for human life. Are you you Tommy in any position

to make any kind of financial restitution. Well Tommy we're making a hundred dollars a week when he is released. I don't think they want me to pay it. Certainly whatever the courts decide we will abide by. Brah here's a man who has not been able to make a living for 17 years and to ask him now to have a further debt doesn't seem very logical to me. Certainly there is no hidden away anywhere. He made very little in his book and there is really no money there. So it would be a very nominal sum I assume. This probably has evoked as much emotion controversy on both sides of the question as any issue that has come before New Jersey's parole board in many a year. Personally how has all of this publicity this emotional problem affected you how do you react to it. With a great deal of sadness I feel that certainly there are victims in this situation. Tommy's family and myself are also victims on

to have their hopes raised that after so many years he'll be coming home and then the next day you're told that no he's not. I find that the way he has been able to cope with this to me has been so reassuring and admirable. He has he holds himself from that surely and thoughtfully throughout it and the pressure on us has been very very terrible. What kind of a human being is he today compared to what he was in 1963. Well of course I do not know him and 1063 I've known him since 1972 and in the time that I've known him he's a compassionate decent nonviolent person. He's worked all the years that I've known him to try to help other people. To fight for civil rights and human rights. He certainly has never behaved in a criminal manner but has tried to be as decent as he possibly could. Do you know of any other case MS is trying to you know where a parole board or a court order to in conjunction with each other. Have attempted to assign a dollar value as a

condition for parole. Not to worry and certainly not in New Jersey this is never happened. I think one of our greatest concerns is why has Tony been singled out. Certainly other men have been released under the new bill who were in for very serious crimes they have not a penny of to pay restitution or any of those for murder. Yes. Were any of them for murdering a police officer. Odd that I don't know but certainly in the past. Men have been released from murdering a police officer and have not had the kind of pressure brought on the parole board that has been true in Tommy's case. Let's talk for a minute about the pressure. A good deal of it is coming from the policeman from the state policeman's Benevolent Association. Do you have any fear that if yours released that any kind of pressure will be brought to bear on you or him. Well we have to be aware of the possibility. I'm not afraid. I've never been afraid of law enforcement officers. I expect them to a bail law. That's what they're sworn to do. I was very very disappointed in the PVA for the press release which

really inflamed the public against Tommy which is not true. I was very concerned about the demonstration in Hackensack. I've been very disappointed by the way that the police have conducted themselves in regards to timing. But certainly I don't fear them. And we can't really live on being afraid. You have to predict. Great hope whatever right now. What do you think the outcome of this will be. Well what I hope is that we can find a way to settle this issue. And reassuring the public that Tony's not a danger. He is not. As far as we can. We're hoping that the courts will act. In. An expeditious way and look at this matter. But only if that permit be treated the same way that the other man who appeared before the boy. And that the same criteria be applied to him. OK I want to thank you for joining us Mrs. Trentino appeared today with the understanding that

other principals and this would not be present but it is an important public issue and we will be following it. Probably beyond based on the 23rd which the parole board has set for the date that the decision must be made and I want to thank you for joining us on the day. Thank you Gus. Mariana Rodino the wife of New York Congressman Peter Odierno died today after a long battle with cancer. Mrs. Rodino was 70 years old and she had been suffering from a cancerous brain tumor since March of 1978. Funeral services are scheduled Saturday at St. Lucy's Church in Newark. Time now for sports here's Bill Perry. Bill thank you Karen on the coaching mill you go around Rutgers football coach

Frank Burns has been interviewed by Syracuse for their vacant head coaching job the Onge have an after the position but know this Burns is a candidate Glassboro state meanwhile has a new head coach head coaching of the school's office of coordinator who places 18 year veteran Richard Wacker who resigned pro basketball before we get to the college ball and Rutgers Princeton the nets won in Portland last night won 18 1 5 the first time New Jersey has ever won in Portland Cliff Robinson 28 points right here from Maurice Lucas Lucas with the jumper five assists 20 points and 15 rebounds from 0 0 returning to Portland for the first time since last winter straight 18 for Mike Kaminsky here following a foot's Walker missed 26 19 nets after one. Second quarter Mike Newman lobster Robinson beating Calvin nat the Newmans a walker flips at 14 that's by 15 60 to 45 at the half. Newland scored 12 third quarter points might finish with 26 the nets stretched their lead to as many as 20. Nat had only two first half points but he had 14 more in the second half the former net he was in the Lucas trade King a rally Portman closed with a 9 in

the fourth but the nets won it won 18 1 0 5. Tonight the Nets played Golden State you'll see old friend Bernard King now the college ball Princeton at Rutgers last night. Beauty records wins at 57 47 early on Princeton with a patented back door working Randy Melville from Dave brought up by ford six too. But Rutgers went to the big guy Roy hits in the sixth night Soph scored eight of the next 14 Rutgers points to turn arounds off the glass. Then hear tipping in a mess. And again you will see the turnaround. Princeton Meanwhile hit a drought. Here's the drought update. No points in eight minutes and forty nine seconds Peter real feeling ill. Kelvin Choi with the steel and layout length of the four Princeton with 13 first half turnovers. Twenty nine eighteen records at the half. Troy solo a beauty but Princeton came out and scored the first eight points of the second half inside and Steve Mills outside splitting the eight points. Simp is the only Tiger in double figures he finished with a total of 11 here he has one more time and Tom Young can't believe it. The Rutgers coach shaking his head records blowing the big

leap then simply set up a picture hook shot and Princeton had a four point lead after eight minutes of the second half out scoring Rutgers 3:41. As things intensified a little shoving match up the rivalry is intense. But after things settle down Rutgers asserted themselves the defense key to Troy with a steal and slam game of 21 for Kelvin then Roy Henson with the steal and a reverse lamp. Only his second. Half the field goal right there is only one record. Fifty seven forty seven nights are now 2 1 0. Princeton is 0 and 2. Elsewhere in college ball last night St. Peters the 68 50 peacocks are now 2 1 0 also Ryder a Division 1 team lost to St. Joseph 71 55 St. Joe's in the dark they lead at twenty one thousand eight tenths of play first half a ten point run right here to open it up John Smith got it going with the jumper that was Geoff Clark with the line up off the steel then Mike Morell number 22 from deep St. Joe is considered by some to be the best team in the east. Tough inside Mark Dearborn. He had 12 Smith again. Outside he led the way with 14 St. Joe's by nine thirty six twenty

seven at the half second half rider fell behind by 16. Tony Costner 6:10 freshman the kid everyone wanted out of high school with a three point play he only had seven though and then riders would recall brought the Bronx back Wilbur where are you hit a drive in the fall and hit jump shots at dunks. There we have it. Wilbur hall. No. OK. Trust me it was super rider losing the ball get the St. Joe's 71 to 55. Finally a baseball in the free agent Don Sutton has signed with Euston and he gets three million dollars before us I wish you could assume it all thank you and that the news for Bill Murray on good night from New Jersey.