January 31, 2002

Video prepared by University of Virginia Profs Robert F Bruner and Samuel E Bodily shows Enron Corp was still flying high in April 2000; Jeffrey K Skilling, president and chief operating officer at time, faced video camera and spoke enthusiastically about corporate culture that would, he insisted, enable Enron to go from world's largest energy-trading company to world's largest company; Bruner and Bodily say video shows business plan that reality refused to endorse; hold even when they shot their first interviews in May 2000 company was already buying time; video was part of what was supposed to be case study of phenomenal transformation; photo (M)

Viacom board members tell chairman-chief executive Sumner M Redstone and president-chief operating officer Mel Karmazin to end personal conflict between them that has emerged into public view; group of outside directors makes plea in unusual separate meeting that occurs after regularly scheduled board meeting; Redstone and Karmazin are said to have agreed to board's request that they try to resolve their differences; directors tell two executives that they fear that public disagreements between them could have serious impact on company's financial outlook; recent articles in various publications raise possibility that Redstone is preparing to try to force Karmazin out of company; Karmazin's contract ends in May 2003; it appears that directors' action is defeat for Redstone; list of members on Viacom's board (M)

Renaissance that has been slowly gathering strength in Paterson, NJ, over last few years is dealt blow by indictment of Mayor Martin G Barnes on charges of accepting cash, vacations, home renovations and paid 'female companionship' in exchange for granting city contracts; photos; map (M)

Four-pound electronic device called the 'box' can constantly calculate parolee's location using Global Positioning System; wireless bracelet locked around parolee's ankle transmits signal to box to let it know he is within 100 feet; criminologists say improved monitoring may help governments address longstanding problem of how to protect public without resorting to further incarceration of criminals; photos; drawing (M)

Arrest of Edwin Snelgrove on charge of attempted kidnapping and assault of woman in Hartford prompts law enforcement officials in New Jersey to complain that he was released from prison there, where he served 11 years for murder of his former girlfriend and stabbing of another woman, without required 30-day notice so they could challenge release in court; Snelgrove was released in 1999 and returned to his parents' home in Berlin, Conn; wrote to judge after 1988 conviction about violent sexual fantasies he started having when he was second grader; photo (M)