Joe commented on the KVIA Pro Newscasters Stop ‘Happy Talk’ During Break story:
i remember those days! see if if you can dig up when the kelp (pre kvia) news director was arrested at a denny's for carrying a concealed weapon. probably somewhere around 73 or 74. his name was wally pierre (not sure of the last name spelling)
Joe you have a very good memory. It was Wally Pierre and he was arrested in 1974. I found the following article mentioning the upcoming trial but didn't find any articles after the trial.
November 13, 1974
Wally Ransford Pierre, former news director of KELP-TV in El Paso, faces trial in County Court at Law on a charge of unlawfully carrying a prohibited weapon.
Pierre, 41, of the 400 block of Somerset, was arrested Nov. 1 in Denny's Restaurant, 4001 N. Mesa.
Police said they found him slumped asleep on the restaurant counter. Awakening him, they asked that he leave the premises.
At this, police said, Pierre became angered and turned to look at one of the officers, whereupon his coat was pushed back, slightly exposing the butt of a pistol tucked into his slacks.
The firearm and six rounds of ammunition were taken by police. He was charged in warrants issued by Peace Justice Al Mestan, who set bond at $300. Pierre posted bond and was released.
Pierre could receive a maximum penalty on the misdemeanor charge of one year in the County Jail and a $2,000 fine.
wow, good work. i worked there at the time, so it was easy to remember the incident.
Posted by: joe | April 27, 2009 at 02:33 PM