Henry County investigators are awaiting an autopsy report from Roanoke tomorrow, but anyone with information about Stephanie Parler should call the Martinsville office. Though authorities may never know exactly what started the fire, they say it appears to have been an accident. The medical examiner's office told investigators that he was apparently overcome by smoke, and his death has been ruled an accident. It is a marijuana crop that would have been worth more than a million dollars. But the drugs will never make it to the streets following a major bust yesterday in Nelson County.
Charges are pending.
In Washington, a Senate Judiciary Committee has opened hearings that will examine the historic tobacco settlement. Congress must ratify the deal, which seeks to settle 40 state lawsuits against the industry by setting national tobacco policy. But many Virginia farmers fear it will mean the end of their livelihood. Ellen Qualls reports. Qualls, News 7, Richmond.