- Collection:
- WSB-TV Newsfilm Collection
- Title:
- Series of WSB newsfilm clips of numerous law enforcement officials being interviewed about the apprehension of Wayne Carl Coleman, Billy Isaacs, Carl Isaacs and George Elder Dungee, the suspects in the murders of the Alday family, Bluefield, West Virginia, 1973 May 18 or 19
- Creator:
- WSB-TV (Television station : Atlanta, Ga.)
- Contributor to Resource:
- Pruitt, John (Television news anchor)
Pope, Ray, 1918-1983 - Date of Original:
- 1973-05
- Subject:
- Suspects (Criminal investigation)--West Virginia--Bluefield
Bloodhound--West Virginia--Bluefield
Extradition--Georgia
Trials (Murder)--Georgia--Seminole County - People:
- Coleman, Wayne Carl
Dungee, George Elder
Isaacs, Carl, 1953-
Isaacs, William Carroll
Pruitt, John (Television news anchor)
Pope, Ray, 1918-1983
Alday family - Location:
- United States, West Virginia, Mercer County, 37.40552, -81.11144
United States, West Virginia, Mercer County, Bluefield, 37.26984, -81.22232 - Medium:
- moving images
news
unedited footage - Type:
- Moving Image
- Format:
- video/mp4
- Description:
- In this series of WSB newsfilm clips from Bluefield, West Virginia, probably on May 18 or 19, 1973, numerous law enforcement officials are interviewed about the apprehension of Wayne Carl Coleman, Billy Isaacs, Carl Isaacs and George Elder Dungee, the suspects in the murders of the Alday family.
The clips begin with a shot of a police car as it drives past the camera. Then the clips cut to a group of unidentified white males who stand on a road, with a house and mountainous terrain behind them. The clips cut to a group of unidentified white males, one of whom holds a long gun, and then to a house with a detatched garage and a red car parked in the driveway. Next, two unidentified white males are shown walking together down a path. One man is in a uniform. A police car is shown turning off of a road and stopping next to the camera. Inside are four unidentified white male police officers and Wayne Carl Coleman, who has been arrested after fleeing from Seminole County, Georgia, the scene of the murders of the Alday family. The policemen and Coleman exit the car and the camera follows Coleman as he walks.
The clips cut to a parked white vehicle and an unidentified white male police officer who stands next to the vehicle's open door. One of the Isaacs brothers, either Carl or Billy, exits the car and walks into a building. Next, the clips cut to a bloodhound wearing a leather harness. The dog stands in the middle of a group of unidentified people. The clips cut to an unidentified white male who says, "The dog just tracked them on the cliff." From off camera, reporter John Pruitt asks, "Three of them were there?" The man responds, "They were all three laying there asleep." Pruitt asks, "Did they offer any resistance at all?" The man responds, "No sir, we was too close on them." From off camera, another unidentified male asks, "You say they were asleep?" and the man responds, "Yes sir." Pruitt says, "They just surrendered peacefully." The man says, "Yes sir."
The clips cut to an airplane that waits on a runway. Unidentified white males enter the plane, some of them in police uniforms. The clips cut to one of the the Isaacs' brothers climing the stairs into the plane, and then the camera turns to the left and George Elder Dungee is seen, walking toward the plane in handcuffs. He is escorted by an unidentified white male police officer. Dungee climbs the stairs into the plane, followed by the policeman. Next, the clips cut to Wayne Carl Coleman, who is also in handcuffs, as he walks toward the plane, escorted by two unidentified white males. Coleman enters the plane, and then the camera turns to the left where one of the Isaacs brothers approaches the plane behind him. Isaacs climbs the stairs into the plane, followed by an unidentified white male.
The clips cut to a sign reading "Olga Coal Company Portal No. 2." Parked cars and trucks are visible behind the sign. Next, the clips cut to a group of four unidentified white males wearing miner's helmets. The men stand by a building, some smoking cigarettes. The clips cut to the interior of a moving car as it drives down a winding mountain road. The camera looks out of the window of the car at the surrounding mountains. The clips cut back to the shot of the bloodhound in the leather harness. From off camera, an unidentified male voice asks, "How much does he weigh?"
The clips then cut to a group of unidentified males and females standing in a parking lot next to a low building. The clips cut again, this time to Georgia Director of Public Safety Ray Pope, who is surrounded by members of the press. From off camera, reporter John Pruitt asks, "What about the states of Virginia, where a robbery was allegedly committed, and the state of Maryland, where a break out was committed?" Pope responds, "Well, of course we know that in time that they would get around to those, but you start someplace. And of course, as you are all aware, the most heinous crime so far committed, even in the history of our state, has been committed in the state of Georgia. So, I think that the other states, at least at this point, are indicating their desire to Georgia to have the trials first."
The clips cut to a car as it pulls up and stops near an airplane. Three unidentified white males and one of the Isaacs brothers exit the car. The clips cut to a shot of mountainous terrain, and from off camera, reporter John Pruitt says, "And so the long exhaustive search which began in Maryland and intensified after six brutal murders in Georgia finally ended here today in the rugged coal country of West Virginia." As he speaks, the camera turns to him. He continues, "Four suspects are in custody, weary lawmen can now get some rest, and everyone else can breathe a collective sigh of relief. From near Bluefield, West Virginia, John Pruitt, WSB News."
The clips cut again to Ray Pope. From off camera, John Pruitt asks, "Pope, are you going to be taking these men back to Georgia?" Ray Pope replies, "At least three of the prisoners have indicated that they wish to waive extradition. It will be necessary that they go before a United States Commissioner in as much as there are Federal warrants charging unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. A hearing will be held before a United States Commissioner within the hour, and if they do waive extradition, then yes, we will take them back to Georgia today." From off camera, an unidentified male asks, "Will Georgia have first priority on bringing charges? Will they be taken to Georgia first?" Pope replies, "Indication at this moment is that the state of West Virginia has no desire to attempt to hold the people and if they release them to the state of Georgia, then, yes, we will have custody --" The clips appear to cut or jump a bit here, and the rest of Pope's reply is cut off by John Pruitt asking, "And what kind of a case does the state have against these men?" Pope replies, "I wouldn't want to prejudice the case by making firm statements. Let me say that we have sufficient evidence to secure good warrants. We're ready for trial. From off camera, an unidentified male asks, "How did you find the cooperation from West Virginia and Virginian authorities?" The camera turns to reporter John Pruitt as Pope replies "Couldn't ask for any better," from off camera. An voice asks an inaudible question from off camera, and Pope continues, "I have not personally had any contact with them, no. Indications are it'll probably be held right here in this building." Pruitt asks, "And you'll be taking them back if, I mean, if the hearing, the outcome is that, you'll be taking them back on your plane?" Pope says, "If the outcome, if they do legally waive extradition, then -- " The clips cut here to Pope saying, "Thinking of the possibility that Virginia authorities, last evening, that he possibly would waive." Pruitt asks, "Will you be taking off from Bluefield?" and Pope replies, "Yes." The sound drops out as Pruitt leaves the frame, but Pope and other members of the media continue speaking inaudibly. The clips cut to a shot of Pope and the crowd gathered around him from farther away.
Next, the clips cut to a shot of a man's shoes and a ribbon on the ground, then to several quick shots of a crowd gathered near some parked cars and the interior of a moving car. Then there is a shot of mountainous terrain as from off camera, John Pruitt says, ""And so the long exhaustive search which began in Maryland and intensified after six brutal murders in Georgia finally ended here today in the coal country of West Virginia." As he speaks, the camera turns to him. Pruitt laughs and says, "Do it again, I'm sorry." The clips cut to another shot of the mountains, then a shot of Pruitt, and then to a shot of a car parked on a roadside. An unidentified person walks toward the car.
The clips cut to a parking lot, and several shots of parked cars and unidentified people are shown. The camera pans up and an airplane wing is visible, then one of the Isaacs brothers walks into the frame toward the airplane. He is escorted by an unidentified white male policeman. There are several seconds of a blank screen, and then the camera is pointed down at the pavement. The next portion of the clip shows a brick building next to a road. A group of unidentified people stands outside of the building. The clips cut to the shot of the sign reading, "Olga Coal Company Portal No. 2" and then to a group of several inidentified white males wearing mining helmets. In front of the men, a police officer leans into the drivers side of a parked red car. The clips cut to a closer view of this police officer, who is speaking into a CB radio that is located in the red car. His conversation is not intelligible. The clips cut to various parked cars, and an unidentified white male in a police uniform exits a blue car and speaks to an unseen person in the parked red car. Next, an unidentified white male in a police uniform and an unidentified white male carrying a large gun walk together toward a parked police car. The clips cut to the police car pulling away with these two men inside.
Next, an unidentified white male in a police uniform enters a brick building. Then the clips cut to an unidentified white male in a police uniform opening the door of the red car and getting into the drivers seat. The red car pulls away as a group of unidentified white males in miners helmets looks on. Two unidentified white males and two unidentified African American males in miners helmets appear to be having a conversation, but their voices are not audible. The clips cut to brick storefronts next to a road, and the camera zooms in on a sign that reads "PEPSI. War hardware."
The clips cut to two unidentified white males walking together down a path, and then to two unidentified white males who stand in front of a house, holding long guns. The next shot is of cars parked along a road and a group of unidentified people around the cars. One of the unidentified persons holds a gun and waves a truck past. There is another shot of a house located at the bottom of a mountain, and then a shot of mountains and buildings. The white house with the detatched garage and the red car parked in the driveway is shown again. Next, there is a shot of a plane flying overhead, and then the clips cut to a police vehicle as it drives toward and past the camera. The clips cut to a police vehicle as it drives along a winding mountain road. Next, the clips cut to a house in a wooded area. The camera pans up to show the mountainous terrain. The clips cut again to a house on a redisential street lined with parked cars. A group of unidentified white males is seen gathered on the right side of the street. There are several shots of the mountains and buildings taken from a moving car.
Next the clips cut to Ray Pope and two unidentified white male policemen who enter a building marked "Department of Public Safety, State Police." The clips cut to a blue car that drives away from the camera. An unidentified white male policeman exits the car. The clips cut to the unidentified white man who earlier in the clips answered reporters questions about the bloodhound. He says, "H.R. Hall, trainer, handler and R.B. [unintelligible]." From off camera, John Pruitt asks, "Did you make the capture, sir?" The man responds, "There's three - there's four of us." Pruitt asks, "Can you tell us what the circumstances were? How did it come about?" The clips cut here, and John Pruitt is heard from off camera asking, "Just the one dog?" The man says, "Just the one dog." An unidentified male voice asks from off camera, "Were they armed?" The man replies, "Yes sir, they were." The same voice asks, "What kind of weapons?" The man says, "One thirty eight, one rifle." John Pruitt asks, "How far from the initial roadblock had they gone?" The man says, "I guess it was in a half a mile of the initial roadblock." Pruitt says, "Couldn't get very far." The man says, "I'd say not." The camera turns to the right as the man says, "Well, gentlemen, I'm dead on my feet." Many cameramen and members of the press are visible in the shot.
The clips cut to two unidentified white females who walk toward the camera, then to a police car as it travels down a road toward the camera. The clips then cut again to Wayne Carl Coleman as he walks into the Department of Public Safety building with his hands cuffed behind his back. The clips cut to the interior of a building where numerous unidentified white men in police uniforms move around a room. On a counter in the room are two guns, a hand gun and a long gun, and a pile of ammunition. The clips cut to a shot from the exterior of the building. The camera looks at two unidentified white policemen through a window. One of the men is seated, counting a handful of bills. The clips cut to a shot of a group of two unidentified African American males, two unidentified white males and an unidentified African American female standing in a parking lot. Next the clips cut to a sign reading, "Welch Detachment. West Virginia State Police." The clips cut again, this time to a group of four unidentified white males, three of whom wear police uniforms, in front of the Department of Public Safety building. The man on the left says, "Trooper F.D. Thompson." The clips cut, and Thompson says, "And the apprehension was made at approximately eight thirty." From off camera, John Pruitt says, "Two hours... How many, how much distance did you cover in that time?" Thompson replies, "Five to six miles." Pruitt asks, "Uphill? Downhill?" Thompson replies, "Both, uphill, downhill and to the hollers." Off camera, an unidentified male asks, "Did they put up a struggle?" Thompson replies, "No, no struggle, no resistance whatsoever." The same unidentified male asks, "Did they seem to be worn out the whole time?" Thompson says, "Right, they were worn out, apparently..." At this point in the clip, the audio becomes unintelligible but the trooper and others off camera appear to continue speaking. The shots cut back to the four men who stand in front of the Department of Public safety building, and then to the group of media and reporters assembled in front of them. The clips cut back to a shot of Trooper Thompson, who says, "No, not considering the use of the dog. The dog was trained by these two people here and handled by him, and it's nothing unusual to apprehend someone [unintelligible]." From off camera, an unidentified man asks, "Are all of you expert trackers? Have you done this before?"
Reporter: Pruitt, John (Television news anchor)
Title supplied by cataloger.
Supporting information was taken from the following source: The Atlanta Constitution, 19 May 1973:1A. Web. 28 April 2020. - Local Identifier:
- Clip number: wsbn38268
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/news/id:wsbn38268
- Digital Object URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/news/id:wsbn38268
- IIIF manifest:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/ugabma_wsbn_wsbn38268/presentation/manifest.json
- Language:
- eng
- Bibliographic Citation (Cite As):
- Cite as: wsbn38268, Series of WSB newsfilm clips of numerous law enforcement officials being interviewed about the apprehension of Wayne Carl Coleman, Billy Isaacs, Carl Isaacs and George Elder Dungee, the suspects in the murders of the Alday family, Bluefield, West Virginia, 1973 May 18 or 19, WSB-TV newsfilm collection, reel 0050, 15:30/34:40, Walter J. Brown Media Archives and Peabody Awards Collection, The University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia
- Extent:
- 1 clip (about 19 mins., 10 secs.): color, sound ; 16 mm.
- Original Collection:
- Original found in the WSB-TV newsfilm collection.
- Holding Institution:
- Walter J. Brown Media Archives and Peabody Awards Collection
- Rights:
-
