Leading cheerers
SINCE 1889
Two from KU are among nation's best cheerleaders. See page 3.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, NOV. 11, 1985, VOL. 96, NO. 56 (USPS 650-640)
Cold Details page 3.
Parole officer says McMurry must pay debt
By David Silverman Of the Kansan staff
Convicted embezzler Steve McMurry has until the end of January to begin repaying the more than $257,000 he skimmed from the KU bus system, or he may be ordered to return to prison. McMurry's parole officer said Friday.
"We'll give him enough rope to hang himself with," said Van Wistman, the parole officer. "If he has not begun to make payments by the end of January, we will initiate action to have his parole reviewed."
Under the terms of his parole, which expires in 1988, McMurry was ordered to repay $257,051.17 he embezzled from the University of Arizona and to seek psychiatric care. So far, McMurry has repaid $0 of the debt.
Mc Murry was the coordinator of the KU on Wheels bus system from 1978 to 1982. He was arrested in September 1982 and charged with five counts of felony theft of property. He was convicted in Douglas County District Court in June 1983 and sentenced to four consecutive and one concurrent two- to five-year prison terms.
McMurray was paroled Dec. 21, 1984, after serving 17 months in state prison. He moved to Colorado in 1986. He now lives in the Denver area
Wistman, who met with McMurry on Thursday, said he told McMurry to begin making monthly payments in the $200, beginning in December.
McMurry could not be reached for comment yesterday.
At that rate, it would be more than 100 years before the debt would be repaid.
Wistman said that before a detailed payment schedule would be set, McMurry had to assess his financial situation. McMurry will submit an accounting of his expenses in two weeks.
McMurray said he had never been confronted about making restitution.
"He didn't understand the consequences of not making the payments," he said.
"If his parole is dropped, all the man he's spent on the street doesn't listen to him." CHRIS
Paul Goodman/KANSAN
If his parole was revoked, McMurry would have to serve an additional 17 months in prison before an
would be eligible for another parole. Wistman said.
"If he had made some kind of payments it would have shown that he was making an effort," he said. "I don't show well on his record."
Tim Boller, chairman of the Transportation Board and Lawrence senior, said he was pleased with the new parole arrangement.
"It's only right that he repays the money." Boller said. "I'd certainly be happy with any money that is recovered."
He said McMurry's payments would be deposited in a general fund that would be used for future needs.
Wistman said, "Unless he hits the lottery, he's not going to pay this off before his parole runs out."
Mary Prewitt, University assistant general counsel, said KU knew that McMurray would not pay off the debt before his parole obligation expired. He said the university filed a civil lawsuit against McMurray to recover the stolen money
She said a Douglas County District Court judge awarded the University the same amount that McMurry was ordered to pay in the criminal case.
"The suit was filmed because it gives us tools that are not present in a criminal case," Prewitt says. "They're not going to keep him on parole." The civil case keeps the judgment alive for a longer period of time."
Prewitt said that after the McMurry's parole obligation ended, the University would seek a court order to garrison his wages until the debt was remand.
The University had sought other avenues to recover some of the equipment.
"We examined the possibility of obtaining the land," she said. "We decided that it would cost more to obtain the land, so we would have received in a judgment."
In August 1982 McMurry bought two pieces of real estate in Lawrence that were worth about $100,000, according to Douglas County records.
She also said that declaring bankruptcy would not absolve McMurry of his obligation to the University.
"Money obtained through fraud cannot be discharged by bankruptcy proceedings," she said.
Prewitt said that the University knew about the land but said that it was heavily mortgaged.
Wally Palmer, the lead singer of The Romantics, belts out "One in a Million." The band performed Saturday night in Hoch Auditorium before about 2,300 fans. See review, back page.
Romantic evening
Clouds delay view of comet
By John Williams Of the Kansan staff
The weekend's cold, cloudy weather not only put a damper on homecoming spirit, but also delayed the witnessing of an event Lawrence residents and KU students have been hearing — the return of Halley's comet.
have been at the Clyde W. Tombaugh Observatory, atop Lindley Hall, Friday and Saturday nights, if weather had permitted, Mara Whitacre, president of the Astronomy Associates of Lawrence, said yesterday.
Observation of the comet was to
late just in case the weather did not cooperate."
"Sure, I was disappointed because we could not see the comet Friday night or last night," she said. "But we planned on four nights to observe
The weather didn't cooperate as Lawrence received its first real taste of winter this weekend. Saturday's temperature plummeted almost 30 degrees in 12 hours, the National Weather Service said yesterday.
A high of 65 degrees was reported
See WEATHER, p. 6, col. 1
Planes fall on homes after crash
The Associated Press
CLIFFIS D Park, N J. — Two private planes crashed and plunged into the New York suburbs yester- decades of residential buildings and killing all inland
Authorities said the death toll might rise above 20 once the charred homes were searched.
Two people were found dead in a light propeller plane that crashed in nearby Fairview. But the greatest casualties were feared here, where a three-engine jet belonging to Nabisco Brands Inc. slammed into two two-story buildings, setting those structures and three adjacent buildings afire.
At least two people were aboard the Nabscio jet.
Witnesses said the planes "went down like falling stars."
Donna LaSalle, 19, of nearby North Bergen, said she saw the collision from a shopping center.
"A small plane was in front, going slow, then all of a sudden a very big plane going fast came up behind it. The pilot had dashed into the small one," she said.
At least eight people injured on the ground were treated at hospitals after the accident, which occurred in clear weather shortly after 5 p.m. in northern New Jersey across the Hudson River from Manhattan.
Authorities said transcripts of radio conversations showed the pilots were aware of each other.
"As soon as the (jet) hit, two buildings almost immediately and simultaneously were demolished and burned, and the fire immediately began," said Capt. Tom Tipper of the nearby Fort Lee police department.
"As far as victims go, there is no one alive in any of those buildings," said Pierson. He estimated the five buildings housed as many as 90 families, but said it was not known how many people were in the homes.
The planes knocked down power lines, leaving more than 1,400 homes without power in the two communities.
The pilots of the Nabisco jet, capable of carrying 12 passengers, were presumed dead, although their bodies had not been found, said State Police Sgt. Tom Dombroski.
New York City police sent helicopters to illuminate the crash area, and hundreds of onlookers crowded streets in the two densely populated suburbs. Police cordoned
See PLANES, p. 5, col. 6
Professor of business dead at 68
By Gary Duda Of the Kansan staff
Harold Krogh, professor of business for 31 years, died Saturday evening at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, a hospital spokesman said yesterday.
Mr. Krogh, 68, suffered an apparent heart attack Saturday evening while attending a performance of "Twelfth Night" at the Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murphy Hall with his wife, Bess, and several friends.
Mr. Krogh is survived by his wife, Bess, of the home; and three children, Richard, 2405 Sequila Lamar, Linda, Nev.; and Laurie, San Francisco.
His son said that of his father's many qualities, he best remembered the fact that
"He could remember things like the score of a football game from 1929," Krogh said. "He could tell you who scored what and how they did."
Friends and family remember Mr. Krogh as a caring, dedicated and sincere person.
Services for Mr. Krogh are pending with Rumsey Funeral Home, 601 Indie Dr.
David Shulenburger, associate dean of business, said Mr. Krogh was a sincere and dedicated person with experience moved around insurance and finance.
Shulenburger characterized Saturday as "one of the best worst days."
See KROGH, p. 6, col. 3
Helping hand Group caring for AIDS patients
This is the first in a two-part series dealing with AIDS in northeastern Kansas. The series coincides with the showing at 8 tonight of "An Early Frost," an NBC made-for-television movie portraying the effects of the deadly disease on a man and his family.
By Stefani Day Of the Kansan staff
"I have AIDS."
Three simple words. One com
plicated, staggering thought.
pincated, staggering though
A fatal fact
That fact has stricken more than 14,000 people nationwide, and more than half have died.
AIDS, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, shatters lives, alienating many of its victims from jobs, family and friends. When they most need support, many of these people are affected by the illness too busy or too frightened to help.
A group in Topeka is trying to offer that support by finding lifelong buddies for people who may not have a lot of life left.
The Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, has reported 12 AIDS cases in Kansas. The Kansas Department has put the number closer to 40.
Although the numbers haven't climbed to the heights reached in many states, they are rising rapidly. Why? Because it is easier for what they think is the inevitable.
The Topeka AIDS Project is one such group. It has established the "Buddy" system, modeled after the Shanti program in San Francisco.
which matches people with AIDS or AIDS-related complex with a network of supporters.
People with ARC, which has also been called "pre-AIDS," test positive for the AIDS virus and exhibit the same symptoms as AIDS victims — night sweats, fatigue, chronic diarrhea, weight loss and swollen lymph nodes. But they do not get the infections or cancers that accompany AIDS.
Estimates on how many people with ARC eventually develop AIDS range from 10 percent to 25 percent.
A co-founder of TAP recently said the Buddy program was established as a system to provide emotional and support to people who have AIDS or ARC
"We have now trained 23 volunteers who will serve not only as Buddies, but also as cleaning teams, clerical workers, administrative helpers and in other capacities," said Max, the co-founder, who asked that his last name not be used.
The definition may sound simple; the project is not.
The services range from grocery shopping to providing an outlet for new and sometimes frightening emotions.
Jeff said he had received excellent support from his friends and family. But he said they often didn't have the
J. Hillard, the other founder of TAP, said, "As an ex-social worker, I like to say we're providing direct services to people who need them."
One man with AIDS, who asked to be identified as Jeff, said, "The Buddy system is, more than anything, emotional support."
"I'm so limited in what I can do that I don't really have too much to enjoy," he said. "It makes a big difference being with people, but sometimes I have all day and all night to take care of.
time to spend with him.
"Sometimes there isn't anybody around."
Joe, a volunteer for TAP, who asked that his real name not be used, that's what we there for, and then know that what's we there for.
To provide the best service, TAP required all volunteers to complete a 24-hour training course. More than 20 volunteers participated in the training, which was divided into four Saturday sessions.
"We're there to offer support — emotional support, mental support."
This week, Buddies will begin 10-hour course in home health care, taught by the Shawnee County American Red Cross.
But no amount of training can prepare a volunteer completely
AIDS has an overall mortality rate of about 40 percent, and the rate increases with time.
"We're looking at a disease with a 100-percent mortality rate at about five years," said Suzanne Shaffer, a nurse specialist in the hematology clinic at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan. "The patient knows the diagnosis is a death sentence."
The Buddy knows, too, and that knowledge can be a heavy burden.
"You try to intellectualize it, but of
See BUDDIES, p. 5, col. 1