10A
Wednesday, August 23, 1995
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Phelps says daughter's house bombed
The Associated Press
TOPEKA — Claiming an explosion at his daughter's home is the type of violence a federal civil rights law was enacted to address, The Rev. Fred Phelps Sr. asked Attorney General Janet Reno on Tuesday for a federal investigation of the incident.
Phelps, pastor of Westboro Baptist Church, said in an interview that pieces of orange plastic, apparently from some kind of bomb, were found in the yard of Shirley Phelps-Roper's home in the Phelps family church-residential complex in west-central Topeka on Sunday night.
However, a Topeka Fire Department arson investigator said he knew nothing about
pieces of plastic being found, adding, "Right now, we have no indication anyone is pouncing on the Phelps."
The investigator, Jim Campbell, said the arson unit had just started its probe and would continue until it determined what happened. He said the unit has had several instances of firecrackers being exploded in mail boxes, but no other bomb reports.
Phelps, known for his strident anti-gay message and picketing activities in Topeka and other cities, said he believed the bombing was spawned by a "lynch-mob mentality" against him and his family. He accused law officials of looking the other way because of the unpopularity of his methods.
Church members conduct daily picketing against homosexuals and are known for using strong language on picket signs and in fax messages.
A published report said there were other random, unconfirmed explosions on Topeka's west side Sunday night, but Campbell said his office had no bomb reports to check out other than the one at the Phelps home.
Phelps disclosed that he wrote Reno asking for a federal investigation under a 30-year-old federal civil rights law passed as a result of church bombings in Birmingham, Ala., in the 1960s."
But Shawnee County District Attorney Joan Hamilton said Phelps receives daily police protection at his picketing sites, something no other Topekan
gets even if threatened. And she said she will prosecute anyone an investigation shows is responsible for the explosion at the Phelps-Roper residence.
"I've never ignored criminal activity, even when it involves him. He knows that," Hamilton said.
Hamilton recently won convictions on two misdemeanor disorderly conduct counts she filed against Phelps growing out of his picketing activities, but he has appealed.
No injuries were reported in the explosion that rocked the home of Phelps-Roper. A fence and a van sustained minor damage when struck by fragments from what Phelps said appeared to be a plastic bomb tossed onto the property.
CHICAGO — U.S. Rep. Mel Reynolds, D-Ill., was convicted yesterday of having sex with a former campaign worker who was underage, then trying to thwart the investigation.
The Associated Press
He testified that he had never had sex with campaign volunteer Beverly Heard and only fantasized about it over the phone. The African-American congressman said he was the target of a racially biased, politically motivated prosecution.
The most serious charge, criminal sexual assault, carries a mandatory minimum penalty of four years in prison. Prosecutors built their case on graphic, tape-recorded telephone calls in which Reynolds discusses sex acts with his accuser. But the trial ultimately focused on the conflicting testimony of Reynolds, 43, and
Prosecutor Andrea Zopp denied that race and politics played a role.
Heard,19.
Reynolds testified that he succumbed to his weakness and had phone sex with Heard but never had had physical contact with her. He accused Heard of trying to extort him and said prosecutors used "Gestapo tactics" in an out-of-control effort to convict him.
Heard started the case in June 1994 by contacting police, but then stunned prosecutors by recanting within weeks of telling her story.
In May, Reynolds was indicted again on witness tampering and obstruction of justice charges for trying to influence witnesses in the case.
For at least a year, federal authorities have been investigating possible misuse of Reynold's personal and campaign finances, including whether he converted campaign or office funds to personal use.
Barb's Vintage Rose
927 MASS.
841-2451
MON-SAT.
10am-5:30 pm
● Costumes for rent and sale
● Vintage Clothes From 1900-1970
● Formals, Tuxes and Accessories
● New, Contemporary Clothes
LOWEST PRICES AND THE BEST SELECTION
BEAU'S
33 Years Experience FULL SERVICE SHOP
YOUR PARTY HEADQUARTERS
IMPORT AUTO SERVICE
CERTIFIED MECHANICS
SPECIALISTS INVOLVO, SAAB,
GERMAN AND JAPANESE AUTOS
PROMPT QUALITY SERVICE
545 MINNESOTA ST.
(East of the Yacht Club)
842-4320
VISA
928 Mass. 843-0611
WELCOME BACK
Hours:
M-W-F 9-5:30
T-Th 9-6:30
Sat. Closed
EARN CASH
$15 Today
$30 This Week
Lawrence Donor Center
816 W.24th
Behind Elkhorn Nolan Ford
749-5750
eureur.carrier.com
See our ad in the classified section
Frito Lay Baked Ruffles 2/$400 14 oz Bag
GOT
Ragu
Spaghetti Sauces
88¢
27-30 oz Jars
Fresh Baked French Bread 2/$100
Blue Bunny Ol' Fashion Ice Cream
2/$500
1/2 gal.
DON'T
USE IT or LOSE IT
2 FREE TANS
w purchase
23rd & Ousdahl
(Behind Perkins)
841-6232
10 Tans - $25
15 Tans - $35
20 Tans - $45
LET IT FADE
AWAY
Wearing nothing but a smile...
$2 admission with student ID
Flag Football
◆ MEN-WOMEN
◆ GREEK
◆ OPEN
◆ RES.HALL
◆ RBC
◆ CO-RBC
DIVISIONS OFFERED
Managers Meeting
Sunday, Aug. 27
@7:00p.m. in 115
Robinson
Information on Intramural Bowling League will be available at the Flag Football League Meetings.
Import Bottles
For more information contact Recreation Services 208 Robinson 864-3546
Up&Under Pitchers
$1.50
Domestic
Bottles
Thursday Specials
$1.75
$1.25
401 N.2nd·Lawrence,KS·842-0377
Nautilus
Student Special
- Nautilus Weight Equipment
- Alvamar Nautilus Features
- Exercise Cycles
- Treadmill
- Aerobic Classes
842-7766
$80
Fall 1995 semester membership
1995-1996 academic year $147
4120 Clinton Parkway
Bring in this ad and you can take $10 off fall price or $15 off academic year price.
Tae Kwon Do
Our Instructing Staff
One Week Intro
$19.95
W/KUID
(Includes Uniform)
Join Now!
749-4400
Benefits you can enjoy:
★Relieve Stress
★Lose Weight
★Develop Concentration Skills
★Develop Flexibility
★Gain Confidence
★Gain Leadership Skills
★Develop Self-Discipline
★Develop Balance & Coordination
★Learn Self Defense
★Make New Friends
Holiday Plaza Shopping Center 25th & Iowa
---