"JOHNSON CITY PRESS, Thursday, May 11, 1989 Cult 'godmother' confesses slayings The Associated Press MEXICO CITY The woman called the "godmother" of a drug smuggling cult that killed 15 people has confessed to involvement in some of the ritual slayings, U.S. officials said a Wednesday. Sara Aldrete Villarreal also has exhibited signs of a split personality, said a source at the Mexico City attorney general's office. "I would say she has three personalities," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. He said one personality emerged when Ms.
Aldrete faces the cameras and denies any involvement in the slayings, another emerges. when third she one talks comes to police out when she talks to herself." U.S. Customs Agent Oran Neck said at a news conference in Brownsville, Texas, that Ms. Aldrete has "confessed to conspiracy and involvement" in the killings. Neck spoke after returning from a 72-hour trip to Mexico City.
He and a Cameron County investigator, Lt. George Gavito, assisted Mexican authorities in the closing stages of the case. Ms. Aldrete, 24, and five other cult members were arrested in a Mexico City apartment hideout Saturday afternoon after a shootout with police. The cult's leader, Adolfo de Jesus Constanzo, 26, and his right-hand man, Martin Quintana Rodriguez, were killed.
Alvaro TML- Continued from Page 1 include the curbside recycling program, the "Clean Team" program, the establishment of convenience center with Washington County and a brush-burning program at Bowser Ridge. The letter states recycling has reduced the amount going to the landfill by 20 percent. Public Works Director Phil Pindzola said the brush-burning program is reducing the amount of brush making its way into the landfill by 7-8 percent. The letter credits the Clean Team program with reducing litter by 30-40 percent. think all the departments are represented by the award," Pindzola said.
"I certainly appreciate the community's support makes our job more challenging and allows us "to achieve a lot more. "A lot of communities are involved in politics, but you don't find that in this community. It's amazing what can happen when the community as a whole works together. I don't think this community will bicker about the siting of a landfill." Ellis also credited the city's major thoroughfare plan, which includes the State of Franklin da Leon Valdez, 22. thhen arrested, said he shot the two on Constanzo's orders.
Four more suspects were subsequently arrested, the last on Tuesday night. Seven remained in custody Wednesday, provisionally booked on charges' of homicide, conspiracy and resisting arrest. Two women were released after questioning, sources at the city attorney general's office said. Constanzo, Cuban-born from Florida, and Ms. Aldrete, a Mexican who attended college in Texas, were wanted on both sides of the border since April 11 when Mexican police, acting on a tip, dug up 15 mutilated bodies at a desolate ranch near Matamoros.
Suspects told officials that cult members ritually killed some of the victims, cut off body parts and boiled organs in an attempt to secure magical protection from the police. "Sara has kind of lost touch with reality," Neck said. "No question about it. Her dual personality is coming up pretty strong right now. When you talk to her without the TV cameras there, she's pretty truthful." "She's giving a lot of data with great detail to investigators working this case right now.
It seems like when the cameras come on, she kind of reverts back to this nice, young, clean-cut kid from Texas Southmost College," Neck said. Road extension from West Market Street to the Bristol Highway. He said significance comes from the mixture of local and state funds for "the biggest bang for the bucks." Ellis also cited expansions to the city's waste-water treatment plants. Director Tom Witherspoon credited the city commission because "they were the ones to raised the rates to pay for that." Witherspoon said the commission dealt with the environmental needs in 1983 and 1984 immediately with city funds rather than wait for federal grants to become available. He said other cities did not follow that path before but will need to as grant money becomes less available.
Although the school. facilities plan might be nearing death as three new Board of Education members come on board Monday, Ellis cited it in his letter. Snapp said even though the plan might be put on hold, the city deserves to be recognized for the improvements it is making to Cherokee and Fairmont schools. Ellis also mentioned in his recommendation the development of Winged Deer and Buffalo Mountain parks. SchoolContinued from Page 1 McWherter said.
This year will mark the end of the three-year Great Schools funded by Nashville-based Northern Telecom. State Education program, Commissioner Charles Smith says his department will discuss other school-support programs with 1 the company. The company's school recognition program has honored an elementary school, middle school and high school in each of the state's grand divisions. A 10th school was chosen at-large. The schools were nominated by superintendents outside the winners' attendance area.
Final selections were made by the state Department of Education. Other East Tennessee winners for 1988-89 are Eatons Elementary School, Loudon County; West View Middle School, Hamblen County; and Central High School, Hamilton County. Liberty Bell is the first Johnson City school to garner the award. Jeffers- Continued from Page 1 rized friends and relatives to view the body. On Wednesday, two witnesses.
said Ms. Cozad came to them during the visitation and encouraged them to go to the casket, which they said was opened for "less than five minutes." In closing the case against the funeral home, Jeffers' attorneys told the jury the "heart of matter" was whether the funeral home had honored Jeffers' request for restricted viewing of the body. "Margaret Jeffers wanted to he remembered as she was. Despite the difficulties in their marriage, Wayne Jeffers was trying to honor what Margaret wanted. But that didn't happen," attorney John Bell said.
Because funeral home em- CORRECTIONS The Johnson City Press strives for accur. acy in all its reports. Readers who notice factual errors in the newspoper's columns should contact 'City Editor Brad Jolly, Night Editor Robert Pierce or Managing Sports Editor Kelly Hodge. The telephone number is 929-3111. Deaths ZEPHER P.
METCALF Zepher Pratt Metcalf, 63, Rt. 11, Jonesborough, died Wednesday, May 10, 1989, in the Veterans Administration Medical Mountain Home. He was a native of Greene County and a son of Mrs. Mamie Pratt Metcalf, Johnson City, and the late Joseph C. Metcalf.
Mr. Metcalf was a former employee of Food City. He attended Rich Acres Baptist Church. Mr. Metcalf was a member of the Royal Order of the Moose and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post No.
2108. He was preceded in death by one son. Survivors, in addition to: his mother, include his wife, Mrs. Adelene Reed Metcalf; one daughter, Mrs. Linda Sue Helms, Morrow, two brothers, Roy Lee Metcalf and Herbert C.
Metcalf, both of Johnson City; one sister, Mrs. Mary L. Broyles, Johnson City; three stepsons, Farrell Ervin, Ted Ervin and Jerry Ervin, all of Jonesborough; two grandchildren; and eight stepgrandchildren. Dillow-Taylor, Jonesborough (753-3821) WILLIAM N. MERCER ELIZABETHTON William Nelson "Bill" Mercer, 81, 406 S.
Roan died Tuesday, May 9, 1989, in Sycamore Shoals Hospital following a lengthy illness. He was a native of Washington but had lived in Carter County for more than 50 years. Mr. Mercer was a son of the late William L. and Cora Hicks Mercer.
He was a member of First Baptist Church and the Four Square Sunday School Class. Mr. Mercer was employed as a superintendent for Carrier Bakery for years and operated Giant Bakery until his retirement. He was a former Eagle Scout and served scout master at the Calvary Chapel. Survivors include his wife, Mrs.
Anna Wilson Mercer; a son, Robert N. Mercer, Forest Acres, Texas; three daughters, Mrs. Lois Neel, Columbus, Mrs. Mary Ann Lowe, Elizabethton, and Mrs. Joann McQueen, Johnson City; a stepdaughter, Mrs.
Jewel Dean Kuhn, Charleston, S.C.; a sister, Mrs. Cathleen Parker, Elizabethton; three half brothers, James and Benjamin Funkhouser and Bill Jones, all of Johnson Citthree half sisters, Elizabeth Funkhouser, Mrs. Margaret Humphreys, and Mrs. Ethel Bowling, all of Johnson: City; nine grandchildren; 20 greatgrandchildren; and three nephews. Hathaway-Percy (543-5544) CLYDE H.
STREET WINSLOW, Ariz. Clyde H. Street, 67, 97 Calle Vadito, Albuquerque, N.M., died Monday, May 8, 1989, in Winslow Memorial Hospital. He was a native of Johnson City, and a former resident of Indiana. Mr.
Street had lived in New Mexico for the past two years. He was a son of the late Landon and Lucy Brummett Street. Mr. Street was a retired employee of Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Elkhart, Ind. He was also a retired Assemblies of God minister.
Mr. Street was an armed forces veteran. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Geneva Honeycutt Street; two daughters, Julie Pleasant and Renee Chavez, both of Albuquerque; one brother, Earnest Street, South Carolina; two sisters, Osa Simmons, Johnson City, and Lena Honeycutt, Denison, Texas; two grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. The body will be returned to Johnson City for services and burial.
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LOVE MOUNT CARMEL George Gunther Love, 59, 409 E. Main died Tuenday, May 9, 1989, at hie residence following a brief illness. He was a native of York, and had lived in Washington, D.C., prior to moving to the Kingsport area. Mr. Love was employed with Legg Heating and Air Conditioning Co.
He was a Korean War Army veteran, having served as a master sergeant. Mr. Love was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Teresa Sellstrom, Kingsport; two sisters, Mrs.
Joan Athey, Germantown, and Ms. Ann Love, Kensington, one brother, Edwin Love, Baltimore: and one grandson. Hamlett-Dobson (378-3134) MRS. BONNIE G.V. WILHOIT GREENEVILLE Mrs.
Bon- nie Gaye Verran Wilhoit, 87, Grove Street, died Tuesday, May 9, 1989, in Laughlin Memorial Hospital. She was a Greeneville native and a daughter late Thomas H. and Maggie Belle Johnson Verran. Mrs. Wilhoit was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death her husband, Percy Randal Wilhoit Sr. in 1987 and a son. Survivors include one son, Percy Randal Wilhoit of the home; one brother, Robert L. Verran, Watauga; two grandchildren, Mrs. Steve Hill, Falls Church, and Mrs.
John Willis, Johnson City; and one greatgrandchild. Doughty-Stevens (638-4141) Funerals HATHAWAY-PERCY FUNERAL HOME Elizabethion Wiltiam Nelson Mercer Funeral services for William Nelson Mercer, age 81, of 406 S. Roan Elizabethton will be held at 8:00 P.M. Friday in the Sunset Chapel of Hathaway-Percy Funeral Home with Dr. Charles Hobbs, officiating.
Music will be by Mr. John Bunn, soloist and Mrs. Linda Johnson, organist. Interment and graveside service will be held 10:30 A.M. Saturday in the Highland Cemetery.
Active pallbearers who are asked to assemble in the Cemetrey at 10:00 A.M. Saturday will be selected from the Four Square Sunday School Class of the First Baptist Church. Honorary pallbearers will be all Members of the Four Square Sunday School Class and Dr. Nicholas Burik. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 7 to 8 P.M.
Friday prior to the service. HathawayPercy Funeral Horne, Sunset Chapel. Corner Roan Elizabethton is in charge of the arrangements. DOUGHTY-STEVENS FUNERAL HOME Greenville Mrs. Bonnie Gay Verran Wilheit Funeral services for Mrs.
Bonnie Gay Verran Wilhoit, age 87, of Greeneville, be conducted at 2 P.M. Friday at the Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with interment in Oak Grove Cemetery. Dr. James A. Dougherty and Dr.
Ken Verran will officiate. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 until 9 P.M. Thursday evening. Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home, Greenville is in charge of the arrangements. HAMLETT-DOBSON FUNERAL HOME Kingsport Georse C.
Love Funeral services for George Gunther Love, age 59, 409 East Main Mount Carmel, who died Tuesday, May 9, 1909, will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday with Dr. Martin Stokes Jr. and Raymond Conkin officiating. Family will friends from 7-9 p.m.
Thursday at HamlettDobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. Burial will be in the Mountain Home National Cemetery with military graveside rites being conducted by Charles Dewitt Byrd, Post No. 3382 of the VFW. -Dobson Funeral Home in charge. VILLAGE GARDEN SHOP LANDSCAPING Come by and visit our new designer SCOTT TONEY Free Estimates 282-1567 ZIMMERMAN'S Hallmark Mother's Day Gifts and Cards Roan Center The Mall Elizabethton Greenville WHAT DO YOU GET THE EVERYTHING? A GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR ONE MONTH OF WEEKLY CLEANING FROM QUALITY TOUCH CLEANING SERVICE GIVE MOM SOMETHING THAT SHE CAN REALLY USE.
SHE DESERVES IT! CALL TODAY 282-1108 OPEN 8 A.M.-9 P.M., M-Sat. ASK FOR MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL U.S., Soviets reach accord on arms talks Tho Prato MOSCOW The United States and the Soviet Union reached tentative. agreement Wednesday to reopen negotiations next month to reduce their arsenals of globe-girdling nuclear missiles. They also took steps to cooperate in easing conflicts in the Middle East and Central America. Both American and Soviet officials gave a positive account of the first trip to Moscow by Secretary of State James A.
Baker III, and. a formal announcement of a date for the arms control negotiations is expected today when he meets with Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev. Headway in an expanding and more conciliatory relationship was especially evident in Baker's discussion of the Middle East with Foreign Minister Eduard A. Shevardnadze.
He assured Baker, according to a senior U.S. official, that Israel's U.S.-blessed proposal to hold elections among the 1.4 million Palestinian Arabs on the West Bank and Gaza was "worthy of attention." And when Baker pressed him to resume full diplomatic relations with Israel after a 22-year lapse, Shevardnadze gave him "an encouraging but not a definitive response," the official said, giving an account of their nearly three hours of talks on condition of anonymity. On Central America, meanwhile, Shevardnadze told Baker there was "a good basis for dialogue and opportunity to find a cooperative agreement" to bring peace to the region, the official said. Baker, summarizing his first day in Moscow after addressing group of Soviet human rights activists, including Jews denied visas to emigrate, said: "We had good discussions, in-depth discussions, particularly on regional issues." A prominent Soviet official, Alexander Bessmertnyk, the first deputy foreign minister, said the talks were conducted in "a businesslike, constructive and, on the whole, good and calm atmosphere." Typifying the bracing atmosphere, the Soviets did not bring up the divisive issue of short-range nuclear missiles that has pit the United States against West Germany, with some members of the Western alliance lining up with the Bush administration in trying to extend their others backing Chancellor Helmut Kohl in calling for U.S. negotiations with Moscow.
There was virtually no evidence of discord, although the American side was clearly irritated with Soviet refusal to condemn Iranian calls for attacks on Americans. Shevardnadze explained that Moscow, which shares a long common border with Iran, was trying to be on good terms with its neighbor. The sweep of the talks, which included separate meetings of mixed working group on arms control, regional issues, human rights and direct U.S.-Soviet relations, reflected a broadening discourse and less of a focus on curbing the nuclear arms race. But Baker's suggestion for a resumption of talks on a strategic arms reduction treaty in mid- struck a positive chord. The Soviets had been eager to resume the talks that were recessed last November, but President Bush ordered a delay while U.S.
weapons policies were reviewed. Baker suggested the negotiations be reopened the week of June 18, and a U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Soviets would agree to June 19 or June 20. Fire destroys 500,000 mice The Associated Press would not retard the Jackson BAR HARBOR, Maine Fire killed about 500,000 laboratory mice and injured five people Wednesday in a blaze at a genetic research center that one lab official said would set back scientific research worldwide. Four construction workers and a firefighter were injured in the midday fire at Jackson Laboratory, the world's leading nonprofit supplier of genetically identical mice used in research on cancer, AIDS, diabetes and other human diseases.
The lab's director-designee, Kenneth Paigen, said the fire FEDDERS Air Conditioners Take Advantage Of our Low Pre-Season Prices! TI CITY APPLIANCE 601 W. Market St. 928-7877 If You Need A Hearing Aid, See An Academically Trained Audiologist 928-5771 Dr. Daniel R. Schumaler 1 Assoc.
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managed to save what are called the foundation stocks. the original genetically defined strains," Paigen said. Johnson City Press News Center, Boone Street at Main and Market P.O. Box 1717 Johnson City, TN 37605-1717 Phone 929-3111 Published daily and Sunday. Second class postage paid at Johnson City, TN Subscription per year by mail: Within 100 miles outside 100 miles $116.00 Member of Audit Bureau of Circulations ployees "left out the most important details" of Jeffers' instructions, Bell said, "there was emotional suffering." In defense of Dillow-Taylor, attorney Bill Wray told the jury "Jeffers was not traumatized (by the bill" viewing) for the until funeral after and he cal- got led the man's emotional "crocodile "Margaret Jeffers filed for divorce and it cost her her life," Bell said.
"In the end, money was more important to Wayne Jeffers than his marriage, his wife, his mother and his sister. He alienated himself from them because of it." The jurors spent less than 30 minutes weighing the case before returning their judgment in favor of -Taylor. Solo-Firm Tanning Tan at the best rates offered. 1 Free Wk. on tonning tables.
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