UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Friday, March 11, 1994
5
Murder during carjacking unintentional, man testifies
Defense could rest trial could end today
By Liz Chadwick Kansan staff writer
A Topeka man charged with the murder of Edward Leses testified yesterday in Lawrence District Court that he had not meant to shootLees.
Abraham Orr, 18, is charged with felony murder and attempted aggravated robbery.
Lees was shot and killed last September in an attempted carjacking at Riverfront Park.
Orr's defense presented most of its case in the trial yesterday.
While on the stand, Orr admitted he had attempted to rob Lees of his Isuzu Trooper. Orr shot Lees when he refused to give up the vehicle.
Randy McGraff, Orr's lawyer, asked Orr if at some point after the shooting he realized he had done something wrong.
"What do you mean?" Orr answered.
"What do you mean? Orr answered. Orr testified that during the attempted carjacking, he thought he was doing the right thing. The car he and his three companions were traveling in had broken down, and he just wanted to "jack a car and get home."
Orr testified that he had not realized something was wrong until he was questioned by detectives at the Douglas County Law Enforcement Center. Courtney Crockett, who was with him during the shooting, entered the room where Orr was being held. Crockett then told Orr that he had told the police the truth.
"I said 'Courtney, don't tell me you told them I killed someone.'" Orrs said.
"He looked down and said I'm a bitch."
In cross-examination, Jerry Wells, district attorney, asked what that meant. Orr explained that it meant Crockett had told the police the truth.
Katherine Kent, Lawrence social worker, testified that Orr had been a good student before his brother Tim was murdered last summer.
"Abe attended class regularly and helped other students learn the computer," she said. "He planned to go to technical school and study computers after graduation. But after his brother died, he became very somber."
Orr testified that he had undergone a mental evaluation at age 13 and that he had been prescribed medication by a psychiatrist, but he had never taken it.
The defense should rest its case and the jury could reach a verdict today.
Program makes financial aid clearer
By Frank McCleary Kansan staff writer
Money. Students need it. The University knows how they can get it.
versity knows how they sponsored a discussion last night in the Ellsworth Hall lobby about student loans and scholarships. The program was part of its "Delta Week," in which it sponsors activities about student life such as economics and AIDS awareness.
Kim Robinson, St. Louis senior, said she organized the seminar to help others with a confusing subject.
"I know how hard it is to fill out all the forms." she said.
Robinson said that some people thought that only high school students can get scholarships.
' "Students don't know about all the resources," she said. "They don't think they can qualify for financial aid."
Toyiah Cavole, Kansas City, Mo., senior and president of the sorority, said the discussion was designed to make students more aware of what was available.
"Students can become aware of financial aid they can get, so they can go to school," she said.
Cavole said that although the aid was out there, some students didn't know about it.
"It shouldn't be that way, but it is," she said.
Rachel Rademacher, assistant director of the Office of Student Financial Aid, spoke about several suggestions for loans or scholarships at the presentation.
The parents could be millionaires and the student still could receive financial aid, she said.
"There is something for everybody, regardless of what their parents
earn," she said.
Tiffany Williams, Kansas City, Kan., freshman, said the discussion made the financial aid picture a little clearer.
"I have never heard about all of the programs that KU offers," she said.
Rademacher said that financial aid was becoming a fact of life for KU students.
"Students are borrowing more and more," she said. "Some students are leaving school having borrowed $10,000."
Rademacher said that although the priority date had passed, the office still was accepting financial aid applications.
Anyone interested in more information about loans or scholarships should go to the financial aid office, 50 Strong Hall, or call 864-4700.
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