University of Virginia Library

Letters To The Editor

Undue Harassment And Elastic Truth

We were interested to see that
neither The Cavalier Daily nor the
Virginia Weekly see fit to print the
results of the first trial of the four
students arrested earlier this year
on drug charges. Apparently they do
not think that the outcome is
relevant of the University
community. We think it is very
important since a good portion of
you folks could be faced with a
similar situation at any given time.

Charlie's and Clyde's case came
up first; both were charged with
possession of marijuana, a
misdemeanor. Their lawyer, Mr.
Neal, was continually cut off and
harassed by Judge Spitzer during
his questioning of Carl Devers, the
head narc. The judge found Mr.
Neal guilty of contempt of court.

He also found Charlie and Clyde
guilty, and sentenced them to a
year in jail and a $500 fine. Several
weeks ago, another student was
given three years suspended
sentence on the same charge. The
only difference was that he had
thousands of dollars worth of grass;
Charlie and Clyde were charged
with the possession of less than an
ounce each.

Bill's hearing came up next. He
was charged with the sale of LSD, a
felony. The prosecution did not
satisfy the judge of probable cause
and Spitzer did not send the case to
the Grand Jury. Last week,
however, Jack Camblos, the head
D.A. (sic), went straight to the Jury
over the lower courts ruling and got
the indictment returned. Now Bill
will have to face a jury trial in the
Corporate (sic) Court later on this
year.

Undue harassment?

Pat's case was the last one. He
was also charged with the sale of
LSD, and the prosecution satisfied
the judge of probable cause, even
though no evidence connecting him
with any sale was presented. Spitzer
sent the case to the Grand Jury for
an indictment.

After the trial, Pat, Charlie, and
Clyde were served with new
warrants. Clyde was charged with
the possession of Darvon, a
misdemeanor, and Pat was charged
with possession of marijuana (a
small vial of seeds) and possession
of sodium phenobarbital, both
misdemeanors.

Charlie was charged with
possession of hashish (less than 1/8
gram) and possession of LSD (one
tab), both felonies. Total bail for
everyone has been $11,000 so far.

You might be interested to
know that during Dever's testimony
the truth was mighty elastic. Do
not expect the courts to protect
your rights, folks——they are out to
get rid of us. Be cool, but don't
sacrifice your life style. There are
more of us everyday; and if we
continue, some day free people will
again be free.

We wish to thank everyone who
has contributed to our defense. We
don't know what we'd do without
your help. Contributions may be
sent to Defense Fund, 2100
Jefferson Park Ave.

* * *

The letter by Mr. Bill Huyett,
President of Theta Tau in the Engineering
School, deserves some
response.

I agree with all the points made
by Mr. Huyett except for one:
ballots cast in locations other than
Thomton-A&M would have, and
could have been counted. However,
they should not have been put out
at these other locations.

The Student Council Elections
Committee obviously mishandled
the College and Engineering
elections. I apologize for the
inefficiency of these elections. A
new Elections Committee Chairman
will be selected, the committee will
be completely re-organized, and I
will present twelve proposals for
re-organizing elections to the
Student Council.

I understand that Bill Fox,
Student Council Representative
from the E-School, also has a
number of proposals. Hopefully,
the new provisions will establish
efficient procedures (which must be
followed by the Elections
Committee) designed to prevent
foul-ups in the future and to insure
cooperation with the school
councils involved.

To those students who will be
checking out apartments for rent
for the upcoming year, I would like
to relate last year's experience in
hopes that other people will be
reminded of certain pitfalls.

Last year, my wife and I rented
an apartment from Mr. Aubrey
Strode, Jr. of University Property
Management. We ran into several
service and maintenance difficulties
during the year. For example, Mr.
Strode did not feel we should have
heat until November. Four times
during the winter months the heat
went completely off. Consistent
with his excellent service. Mr.
Strode was more than three months
late in returning partial payment of
our security deposit. This, despite-several
letters and phone calls, to
bring this problem to his attention.

* * *

Be it known to all and
sundry——the French Department is
scheduling classes for the reading
days! Yes, comrades, this most
illustrious department, living
parasitically as it does by virtue of
the antiquated language
requirement, is again flaunting
itself, and this time in direct
contradiction to the edict ex
cathedra. Fie on thee, vile monster!

French Department: Justify
yourself!

Students Boycott!

Be it further known——H. B.
Johnson, Jr. history teacher
exemplar, has also scheduled class
for Tuesday, January 12, cancelling
that class that was righteously to be
held today, Thursday, January 7.

Action further despicable in that
he holds the threat of an
unexplained final exam, like the
Sword of Damocles, over out
innocent heads.

Students——rise against these
inhuman forces that would deprive
you of five days sleep. YOU HAVE
NOTHING TO LOSE BUT YOUR
CHAINS.