January 25 / 7:00 pm
Reward Increased as Police Search for Cop Killers
 (East Hartford-WTNH) _ State and East Hartford Police are continuing their search for two suspects wanted for the murder of an East Hartford police officer Saturday night.
25 year old Brian Aselton was shot while responding to a call on Main Street. At a news conference Monday afternoon, Chief James Shay of the East Hartford police department says Aselton was "basically ambushed." A backup officer arriving at the scene seconds after Aselton spotted two suspects, one of whom may be Hispanic, fleeing from the scene.
More than 100 officers and police cadets spent the day search for clues and evidence. They were assisted by a Massachusetts State Police Helicopter and Connecticut State police dive teams. It's possible evidence was tossed into the Connecticut River. The killers were last seen headed in that general direction Saturday night.
Chief Shay says they have several "good solid leads" in the case, but they have not yet identified suspects. He is asking anyone who may have seen or heard anything to call them at 860.528.4401, or State Police at 1.800.842.0200. Chief Shay says they have had excellent response to the phone lines so far.
Three rewards totaling $80,000 are offered in the case. Governor John Rowland has authorized a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killers. And the Connecticut Council of Police Unions is offering a $10,000 reward. Chief Shay says a third reward of $20,000 from the City of East Hartford was added today.
A wake for officer Aselton will be held Wednesday night at Samsel and Carmon funeral home in South Windsor. The funeral will be Thursday morning at 10:00 at St. Margaret Mary Church in South Windsor. Aselton will be buried with full military honors.
Witness to Aselton Shooting Released from Hospital
(East Hartford-WTNH) _ The key witness in the ambush murder of Brian Aselton is Gregorio Velez, the man who was being beaten when a neighbor called police to complain about the noise. He talked to police at St Francis Hospital, where he was being treated for serious injuries. Velez was released this morning and is under police protection.
 News Channel 8's Christina Hager Reports.
Cousin of Aselton Also Killed in Line of Duty
(Barnstable, Massachusetts-AP) _ The killing of Connecticut police officer Brian Aselton is being felt in one Cape Cod community. Aselton Park on the Hyannis waterfront is named for Michael Aselton, a Barnstable police officer who died in the line of duty in 1983. He was chasing a motorcycle when his cruiser crashed into a tree. Michael Aselton was the cousin of Brian Aselton. Brian Aselton served as a special summer police officer in Barnstable in 1996. Barnstable Lieutenant Michael Martin knew both of the cousins. He remembers being in Michael Aselton's wedding, and says Brian Aselton was well-liked by other officers during his summer on the force.
Senators Go Out of Public View to Debate Dismissal
(Capitol Hill-AP) _The Clinton impeachment trial isn't yet finished for the day but you won't be seeing or hearing any more of it today. Senators have rejected an effort by Iowa Democrat Tom Harkin, who wants to open the deliberations to the public. It was defeated by a 57-43 vote, largely along party lines. Under current rules, the deliberations themselves, as opposed to the arguments by the two sides, take place behind closed doors.
 And that's where senators are now, after Chief Justice William Rehnquist ordered the Senate's doors closed. The public had to leave, and cameras and microphones were removed from the Senate chamber. Senators are now debating Democrat Robert Byrd's motion to dismiss the charges against President Clinton. Republicans say they have the votes to defeat it. In arguing in favor of the dismissal motion today, Clinton attorney Nicole Seligman said it's in the "best interests of the nation" to end the impeachment trial now and that the evidence shows that prosecutors can't make the case for conviction. But the lead Republican House prosecutor, Henry Hyde, said senators will never get this matter behind them if they dismiss the case now. Hyde appealed to senators, "Let us finish our job."
There won't be a vote until tomorrow or Wednesday on the motion to dismiss and on the issue of whether to call witnesses, which is due to be argued tomorrow.
Here's more on what's happened today.
Senators Submit Questions to President
(Washington, DC-AP) _ Ten senators, including Republican leader Trent Lott, have sent ten written questions to President Clinton. This, despite the fact that Clinton's spokesman and a Clinton attorney have said the president wouldn't personally answer them. Trent Lott said Saturday that he would send questions to Clinton after hearing Clinton lawyer Greg Craig say that he would get senators the answers to questions they submitted. But Craig later told senators that Clinton wouldn't be answering the questions and that lawyers would answer them on his behalf.
Still, the questions went to the White House today. The senators said in a cover letter that President Clinton is the only one able to provide complete answers because many of them concern "his state of mind or facts that only he is privy to."
Here are the 10 questions.
Murder Plot Thwarted
(New Britain-WTNH) _ New Britain police say they have thwarted a plot to murder two witnesses in a murder case being tried in that city. The state's attorney's office announced the arrest of Jaime Hoy of Hartford and two sisters; Stephanie and Salina Bello of Newington and New Britain. Prosecutors say they plotted to kill two witnesses.
Scott Murphy, New Britain State's Attorney:
"The arrest came as a result of an investigation into an allegation that there was a plot to kill two witnesses in a pending murder case in the New Britain Judicial District."
State prosecutors say the case proves that the system works, especially in light of the murder of Leroy Brown, Jr., a young witness in a Bridgeport murder case, two weeks ago.
Parking Attendant Killed on UConn Campus
(Storrs-WTNH) _ Heroic efforts by several UConn students were not enough to save the life of a parking meter attendant on campus Monday. Police say 72 year old Virginia Maheu of Willimantic was hit by a car as she walked in front of the UConn Co-Op Bookstore.
She was trapped beneath the car until a group of students lifted it off her.
Maheu was airlifted to Backus Hospital in Norwich where she was pronounced dead.
No charges have been filed against the driver, 86 year old Ellen Clark of Mansfield.
Man Struck by Car
(New Haven-WTNH) _ A Meriden man was injured Monday after hit by a car while crossing a busy New Haven intersection.
34 year old William Barry was crossing Church Street when he was hit by an unidentified driver. Witnesses say the light was green when Barry walked across.
He was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital. There was no immediate word on his condition.
Rowland Backs Drunk Driving Law Changes
(Hartford-WTNH) _ Loophole closing proposals - That's what Governor John Rowland got today and now a package of changes is headed to state legislators to strengthen the state's drunk driving laws. The state commissioners of Motor Vehicles, Public Safety and Department of Transportation presented the plans to the governor after a six month long task force study of current law.
Governor John Rowland: "We want to send a message that we will not tolerate drunk driving here in the State of Connecticut. If you're caught, your going to pay the price. The Task Force came up with fifteen different recommendations and I intend to move on all fifteen of those recommendations."
Among the recommendations is reducing the blood alcohol standard from .10 to .08, and making clear DMV jurisdiction over license suspensions.
Arguments Begin Over Closing of Southbury Training School
(New Haven-WTNH) _ Arguments over whether the department of mental retardation should shut down the Southbury training school began today in Federal court in New Haven. Several advocacy groups for the mentally disabled filed the suit saying small, community group homes are better places for mentally retarded people.
The Western Connecticut Association for Human Rights, or WeCAHR, is one of the groups.
Jean Bowen, Exec. Director WeCAHR: "What we're asking for is that the court order the department to consider people for the community. The court would not necessarily place people but would require DMR to sit down and evaluate all the resident's needs for community living."
There are 730 people living at the Southbury training school now. Many of their families do not want them moved, saying it is the only home they've known for years and they are happy there.
Re-Development of Rail Line Proposed For Patriots Stadium
(Columbia-WTNH) _ Plans to move a plant sitting on the proposed site of the stadium for the New England Patriots appear to be going nowhere. The goal is to clear 11 acres along the Connecticut River. But Robert Wright, the president of the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority and one of the negotiators, says not much progress has been made. But another project aimed at getting fans into the stadium site is moving forward.
News Channel 8's Peter Standring reports.
Shooting Investigated
(New Haven-AP) _ New Haven police are looking for three robbers who killed a customer during a robbery at a convenience store. Police say 22-year-old Caprice Hardy was shot in the back and killed as he tried to run from the store during the holdup early yesterday. Police say it appears that Hardy was an innocent bystander who happened to be in the store. A cashier was wounded in the gunfire after three masked men entered the store and demanded money.
Two Injured in Plainfield House Fire
(Plainfield-AP) _ Two people are in critical condition in a Springfield, Massachusetts Hospital after an early morning fire in Plainfield. The fire broke out in a single family home just before 3:30 this morning, causing significant damage. The two victims, a man and woman, both said to be in their 20s, were found in critical condition, suffering from smoke inhalation. After being taken to a Putnam Hospital, both have now been taken to the Bay State Medical Center for special treatment for smoke inhalation.
Stamford Revives Bomb Squad
(Stamford-AP)_ After nearly five years without one, the city of Stamford has brought back its bomb squad. There are some concerns that some of the major corporations that have their headquarters in Stamford could be targets of bomb threats or terrorism. The Stamford bomb squad is one of three in the state. The state police have a bomb squad, which is based in eastern Connecticut. Hartford is the only other city with an active bomb squad. The Stamford squad was disbanded about five years ago because of rising training costs. The new unit will have more manpower and state-of-the-art equipment.
Former Olympians Say Olympic Scandal Won't Affect Athletes
(WTNH) _ Money, favors and gifts are rocking the reputation of the Olympic Games. It's the biggest corruption scandal in the games history with high-ranking officials getting the boot for falling victim to temptation.
News Channel 8's Judy Chong reports.
Hartford in Running for Cycling Center
(Hartford-AP) _ Hartford is now among the towns and cities being considered for an indoor cycling arena. Veloplex Entertainment and Connecticut Bicycle Coalition are applying for a grant from the city of Hartford to pay for research on building the cycling center. Organizers say the center would be the only one of its kind in the country. Several other sites in other states are also being considered.
Pot Hole Damage
(WTNH) _ With winter weather in full force, our cars are taking a beating. If it's not snow or sleet, it's salt and sand and then potholes. What can you do if your car is damaged by a pothole?
Consumer Team 8's Anna Sava has some tips.
Is there a Nicotine Gene?
(WTNH) _ Could your addiction to nicotine be in your genes?
Two new studies say that could be the case. But a Yale geneticist has a different opinion.
Health Team 8's Kristen Cusato has the story.
State Sex Offender Website Online
(Hartford-WTNH) _ The State of Connecticut's Sex Offender Registry went online at the first of the year. Residents can look to see if a convicted sex offender is living in their neighborhood by accessing the information through the Department of Public Safety's website at www.state.ct.us/dps/
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