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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TALK TO US: Contact
Kursten Phelps or Leita
Schultes at (785) 864-4810
or editor@kansan.com
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSA
WWW.KANSAN.COM
THURSDAY AUGUST 23,2001
ISSUE 2 VOLUME 112
Murder case no problem for recent KU law grad
Bob Thomas serves as defense lawyer in murder trial
By Matt Norton Kansan staff writer
Bob Thomas is preparing to take on one of the biggest cases in state history, and he is doing it after receiving his degree last year from the University of Kansas Law School.
Johnson County District Judge John Anderson III appointed two experience death penalty defense lawyers from Missouri, Patrick Berrigan and Sean O'Brien, to help Thomas in the defense of John E. Robinson. Sr.
He is also charged with the 1985 murder of a Kansas City teen and arranging the illegal adoption of her infant daughter.
Robinson is charged with capital murder in the deaths of two women found in barrels on his property in Linn County.
Robinson, who originally declared himself indigent, rejected free, state-appointed counsel and retained the services of Thomas earlier this year.
Thomas made no objection to having counsel appointed to assist him.
"I didn't object because I will use the help." he said.
Prosecuting attorneys in the case asked Judge Anderson to consider appointing assisting counsel because of the overwhelming complexity and importance of the case, and Thomas' relative lack of experience.
According to Thomas, there are more than 20,000 pages of discovery evidence to sort through, and because it is a capital murder case, there will be added litigation and punishment phases.
As a result, Thomas said he didn't expect the case to go to trial for some time.
Thomas G. Stacy, professor of law, said that there is a trend in courts around the country to try to ensure that capital cases are decided fairly and accurately.
"There is a greater concern than say, five years ago, that things will go awry," Stacv said.
Recently, the governor of Illinois placed a moratorium on the death penalty because of concerns over mishandled cases.
Stacy said the prosecution wants to make sure that the defendant receives the most competent defense that he can in order to make the public feel assured about the outcome.
The state legislature in Nebraska tried to do the same thing, but was vetoed by the governor.
Stacy said the standards for overturning a conviction for incompetent defense are very demanding, but a surprising number get overturned for one reason or another.
Thomas knows that by taking this case, he is now in the spotlight.
"It's exciting and at the same time stressful," Thomas said. "In cases of this nature, I don't care if you're F. Lee Bailey it's going to be tough."
it's going to be tough."
Tim Glassco, Wichita third-year law student, appreciates the fact that in a year he could be in the same position. He said Thomas' case gave him a degree of comfort.
"It show's that if you're confident in your abilities, it doesn't really matter how much experience you have," Glassco said.
Reach Norton at 864-4810
Caller ID now in University housing
New service now offered by the University also increases students' rent
By Laurie Harrison Kansan staff writer
Students living on campus now know who is on the other end of the phone.
After a year of work, Network and Telecommunications Services has provided caller ID in all University housing.
The University increased the rent to provide the service.
John Louis, director of Networking and Telecommunications Services, said in spite of the increase, no profits were made from it.
"We don't make money on this." Louis said. "It's just an extra service."
contract, Louis said. The monthly fee pays for wiring upgrades and installation needed for the service.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY THAD ALLENDER/KANSAN Students who live in the dorms now have the luxury of caller I.D.
Occupants of the residence halls, scholarship halls and Jayhawker Towers pay four dollars a month for caller ID, which is now part of the housing
Louis called the addition "student-driven" and said NTS started to consider adding the service only after students requested it. NTS also surveyed the students to see what kind of interest existed.
Kent Lavene, complex director for McCollum Hall, said the service will be helpful to students.
He said students and staff will now be able to address harassing telephone calls residents received last year.
"It'll be easier to track down if the call is from campus. It's not fool-proof, but it's a good plan," Lavene said.
However, despite the possible effects of the service, one resident disagrees with the rent increase.
"It's preposterous," said Ambriel Renn-Scanlan, Sellards Scholarship Hall president and Topeka senior.
"I didn't have any warning about it. I didn't have a say in it," Renn-Scanlan
She said that no one asked for her input last year and she didn't receive the NTS survey.
said.
Louis said the monthly fee for caller ID is much less than the $10 to $11 students living off campus pay for caller ID.
Southwestern Bell," Louis said.
"That compares very favorably to
Reach Harrison at 864-4810
Chancellor challenges students at convocation
Mills asks freshmen to try something new, step out of 'comfort zone'
Jeremy Clarkson Kansan staff writer
Students should be proud to have chosen a University recognized as one of the top 25 schools in the nation, Chancellor Robert Hemenway told students last night during the University of Kansas Convocation.
Hemenway used the 136th annual ceremony, held at the Lied Center, as an opportunity to tell freshmen how important they were at the University. He gave them encouragement during the official opening of the academic year.
"A KU degree is not for everyone," Hemenway said at the Lied Center. Not all will measure up. We believe you will."
The chancellor challenged everyone to be honest with themselves, to be honest with their beliefs and to stand up for their religious faiths. He told them not to fear change, but to embrace it.
Justin Mills, student body president, advised students to make the next four years as memorable as possible. He urged freshmen to get involved in a
"A KU degree is not for everyone. Not all will measure up. We believe you will." Robert Hemenway Chancellor
community, whether at a residence hall or scholarship hall, in a fraternity or sorority or in sports.
"I want to challenge you to step out of your comfort zone," Mills said.
For some people, the ceremony was part of a continuing tradition of beginning the school year.
Brian Powell, Barnhart, Mo. senior, said he had attended convocation four times.
"It's good to see everybody together in one place to kick off the school year," Powell said.
Reach Clarkson at 864-4810
Chancellor Robert Hemenway addresses the students at the 136th KU Convocation ceremony. Hemenway spoke at the Lied Center last night. Photo by En-Kae Chang/KANSAN
School approves removal of historic houses
Neighborhood group raises concerns about Oread demolition project
By Courtney Kansan staff writer
The Campus Historic Preservation Board unanimously approved a plan to demolish three houses on the 1300 block of Ohio Street to make way for two scholarship halls.
Changes may be nearing for the Oread neighborhood, as the University of Kansas approved the demolition of three houses Tuesday night.
But members of the Oread Neighborhood Association are concerned with the possible demolition.
"I don't think they should tear down houses to make a parking garage," said Terry Riordan, president of the organization, referring to the size and appearance of the scholarship halls if they were built.
John Gaunt, dean of architecture and urban design and board member, said "Clearly the issue for the neighborhood is that there is a scale and character to the neighborhood to which they are a part. The concern is that whatever goes there is compatible in a sense."
Ultimately, the construction would take place in one of Lawrence's historic neighborhoods.
"It was a somewhat difficult decision in the sense that we had to sort out what
INSIDETODAY
the historic implications were," Gaunt said. "Our responsibility is following state guidelines for state historic preservation."
The buildings earmarked for demolition are between Spooner Hall and the Usher house, which is home to the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Both buildings are registered on the National Register for Historic Preservation, and they are within 500 feet of the buildings to be demolished. That means the area in question falls under the joint jurisdiction of the city and the University. When that situation takes place, an environs review is necessary before the project can progress.
SEE OREAD PAGE 5A
Break box
What happened: The Campus Preservation Historic Board, a review board set up by the University of Kansas, unanimously approved a plan to demolish three houses in Oread neighborhood to make room for two scholarship halls
room for two scholarship halls
What it means: The University is one step closer to building two scholarship halls in the historic Oread neighborhood, despite the objections of neighborhood organizations.
neighborhood of organizations.
**What's next:** The Historic Resources Commission, set up by the city, has 30 days to review the proposed demolition and come to an agreement.
COMING IN TOMORROW'S KANSAN
WORLD NEWS ...2A
HILLTOPICS ...8A
WEATHER ...4B
CROSSWORD ...4B
NEWEST MEMBER: The Office of Multicultural Affairs adds a new staff member.
QUARTERBACK COMPARISON: Profiles of two University of Kansas quarterbacks.
The University Daily Kansan is the student newspaper of the University of Kansas. The first copy is paid through the student activity fee. Additional copies of the Kansan are 25 cents. Subscriptions can be purchased at 119 Stauffer-Flint Hall.