Harrison's trial begins
By RICK PENDERGRASS Kansan Staff Writer
WICHITA - The Wichita trial for nine men charged with extortion and robbery gathered momentum yesterday as Keith Sanborn, county attorney, and Chester Lewis, attorney for the defense, made their opening statements.
The trial began Monday in Sedgwick County District Court with selection of a jury. The selection was completed Tuesday afternoon when Lewis and Sanborn agreed on a jury of
Vacation trips are not popular; SUA plans 'flop'
"And what are you doing over spring break?" asks the jovial face on a sunny, fresh air day.
"Sleeping," answer half-shut eyes peeking over dark circles.
"Studying," reply the determined lips.
It seems that an unusual number of KU students are heading for home this spring break instead of the usual vacation spots.
The Student Union Activities (SUA) Office reports that their several attempts to organize a trip this spring failed.
The flight to the Bahamas, had to be cancelled because of the small number interested.
Appealing to the seeker of adventure, the canoe trip to the Ozarks also failed.
The Ski Club tried to gather enough enthusiasts to sponsor a week on the slopes of Winter Park, Colo., but again without success.
A flight to New York met no greater success.
Perhaps the KU travelers really were left penniless after extravagant trips to Miami for the Orange Bowl.
Of course, a great number of students have organized small-group trips.
Jayhawks will invade all sections of the country as they fly, drive, hitchhike or bicycle to Colorado, Texas, Florida California, New York, or Wisconsin.
Others will frolic in Acapuleo,
Honolulu, or the Bahamas.
But it still seems the majority will be traveling wearily home to motherhood,apple pie,and a long night's sleep.
Official Bulletin
Todav
Geological Society of America Conference, South-Central Section. All Day, Kansas Union.
Writers Talk About the Art of
Writing p.m. Ed Dorn, Pine Ri oom.
Kansas University
nine men and three women.
Sigma Xi Lecture. 7:30 p.m.
"Pre-Columbian Metals and
Metalwork in Peru." Prof. Kenneth
E. Rose, Dyche Auditorium.
Faculty Recital. 8 p.m. Frank N.
Brown, trombone. Swarthout Recital H
Leonard Harrison, director of the Lawrence Ballard Community Center, is one of the nine men charged with extortion and robbery of several officials of the Model Cities program in Wichita, and members of Joint Action in Community Service (JACS).
Experimental Theatre. 8:20 p.m.
Two Japanese Folk Dramas.
All nine of the men are Negroes involved in poverty programs and community service centers in Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka and Lawrence.
Opening statements
Sanborn made his opening statement at 10:00 a.m. yesterday. His remarks were primarily an explanation of the case he plans to present.
Foreign Graduate Students,
Monday, March 31, is the final day
for applying for participation in the
summer International Assembly at
Williamsburg. See March Newsletter
for details.
He presented detailed description of the physical evidence he said he will present in the trial.
High School Art Day. All Day.
Strong Hall.
"Usually the defense waits to give its opening statement after the state rests its case," he said, "but because of the nature of this case, I feel it will be necessary to make my statement at this time."
Asked what he meant by the 'nature' of the case, he said, "I will present evidence and testimony to show that these charges are the result of pre-election hysteria."
At one point, he referred to the men as the "Black Power Council of Kansas" and described the garb some of the men wore at the time the crimes allegedly took place as "uniforms like those worn by the Viet Cong."
KU Moslem Society, Noon, Kansas Union.
Lewis began his opening statement at noon. He addressed the jury saying, "I beg and pray
During the recess, Lewis was asked his reaction to Sanborn's statement. He replied: "The charges of extortion are pure garbage. I have evidence and witnesses that will show that the man for whom the job was allegedly being extorted had already turned down the job, and didn't want it.
"Furthermore, the man who allegedly was the victim of this extortion didn't even have the authority to give anyone the job," he said.
Lewis explained the 'uniforms' mentioned by Sanborn, saying: "It is an insult to these men to refer to their garb as 'Viet Cong uniforms.' The uniforms Sanborn spoke of are traditional African dress. This uniform consists of a type of loose hanging blouse called a dashiki. It symbolizes the black man's pride in his heritage."
He defined 'pre-election hysteria' as a last minute try by the public officials involved to make a large issue put them in the public eye.
International Club Dancing Lesson 6.30, p. 211. Robinson
Martin's Auto Painting 792 N. 2nd—N. Lawrence
7 Day Special Cars Painted $27.50
that you will keep your minds open until after all the evidence is presented—all the believable evidence."
Court was to reconvene at 10:00 a.m. today to hear the state's case.
Both remarks brought subdued laughter from the defendants, one of whom was
Folk Dance Club. 7:30 p.m. 173 Robinson.
Lewis also disclosed he woug give his opening statement when recess was over.
Saturdav
Charges "garbage"
4-H Judging School. All Day Kansas Union.
Sanborn concluded his statement at 11:30 a.m., and the court went into a 20-minute recess.
International Film Series. 7:30 p.m.
"Black Orpheus." Hoch Auditorium.
Experimental Theatre. 8:20 p.m.
Two Japanese Folk Dramas
wearing the 'uniform' in question.
Spring Recess Begins. 12:30 p.m.
Mar. 27
1969 KANSAN 13