University of Virginia Library

Court Convicts Squire On Appeal,
Imposes $600 Fine, Prison Sentence

By RICK KNIESLER
and STEVE WELLS

Steve Squire was convicted
Friday night for the second
time of disorderly conduct
stemming from an anti-war
demonstration at Scott
Stadium last April 29.

The five person Corporation
Court jury imposed a 600 fine
and 4-month jail sentence on
the 31 year-old defendant.

John A.C. Lowe, Mr.
Squire's attorney, asked Judge
George M. Coles to suspend the
sentence pending further
appeal. Judge Coles, however,
reserved his final decision until
today at 10 a.m

Mr. Squire was originally
convicted in Municipal Court
May and sentenced by Judge
E. C. Wingfield to six months
in jail (suspended on condition
of 12 months good behavior),
fined and released on
$250 property bond.

Commonwealth's Attorney
John T. Camblos, who had told
the court in May that because
the came was not one "of
terrible moment, no terrible
punishment was needed,"
Friday told the jury that this
was a serious case and that the
punishment should be
"severe."

The defense's motion to
dismiss the case on the grounds
that the Virginia disorderly
conduct statute was
unconstitutional was denied
prior to the beginning of
Friday's proceedings. The
defense had maintained that
the statute was
unconstitutional because it
proscribes protected conduct.

The defense's motion to
limit the evidence concerning
disorderly conduct to what
Judge Wingfield had ruled as
such at the first trial in
Municipal Court was also
denied by Judge Coles. Mr.
Lowe argued that to try Mr.
Squire on evidence for which
he was not convicted in May
would constitute double
jeopardy.

Mr. Squire was convicted
for refusing to move from a
reserved section of seats in
Scott Stadium during the
annual ROTC review.
Vice-President for Student
Affairs D. Alan Williams had
told him to move because the
anti-war sign which he was
holding was obstructing the
view of the audience.

According to testimony Mr.
Williams then took Mr. Squire's
sign. When he advanced to
retrieve it, Mr. Williams
grabbed him by either the
lapels of his coat or by his
neck. Testimony varied on this
point.

At this point, Dean of
Students Robert T. Canevar
arrived and signaled to
University police to come to
the area. He subsequently told
University security officer
Richard L. Albert to "get him
(Mr. Squire) out of here."

When Mr. Squire asked if he
was under arrest, Mr. Albert
replied affirmatively. The
second time Mr. Squire asked
what the charge was, Mr.
Albert replied, "disorderly

conduct." The defendant was
then taken downtown to be
booked.

Mr. Camblos argued that the
case had to do with the larger
question of whether
"University officials have the
right to run University
functions in an orderly
manner."

In charging the jury, Judge
Coles stated that "Dean
Williams had the authority and
the right to reasonably require