University of Virginia Library

Arrest Stimulates
Bail Fund Drive

A fund raising program was
announced yesterday by an ad hoc
committee of citizens and students
concerned over the recent jailing of
former University student Tom Doran.

The group was set up last week to
investigate Mr. Doran's plight and the role
of the University in his arrest. Mr. Doran was
arrested several weeks ago for alleged perjury, a
felony, for his testimony in his own
misdemeanor trial for destroying University
property during the student strike last May. His
ball was set at $5,000 cash or $10,000 property
bond.

A hastily-organized fund drive raised $500 —
10 per cent of the bail — which is the amount
charged by a ball bondsman for posting bond.
However, due to what the group called "an
unusual amount of red tape," Charlottesville
officials have yet to certify a bail bondsman for
Mr. Doran's release, and he remains in jail.

A spokesman for the ad hoc group, Steve
Squire, noted that community donors had
pledged over half the actual cash bail and the
Prism Coffee House turned half its last
weekend's receipts over to the fund. As a result,
the group aims at raising the remainder — about
$2,000.

A meeting will be held tonight at 7 p.m. in
Newcomb Hall, Room 4-B, at which time the
drive will be mapped out. Mr. Squire added that
beginning tomorrow, tables for money
collection will be set up at various places on the
Grounds.

"Students should realize that what is
happening to Doran is important," Mr. Squire
said. "What has happened to him could easily
happen to others. We should not forget the
lessons of last May's strike."