DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | University of Iowa anti-war protests, January-April 1971 | 1971-01-03 Des Moines Register Article: ""Still Plan Mass Trial""

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University of Iowa anti-war protests, January-April 1971

1971-01-03 Des Moines Register Article: ""Still Plan Mass Trial""

(handwritten) 1/3/71

Still Plan Mass Trial 
By a Staff Writer

Iowa City, IA -- That off-again, on-again mass trial for a group of University of Iowa step-sitters appears to be on again -- at least partially.
  Approximately one-half of the 210 persons -- all charged with disorderly conduct in last May's antiwar demonstrations here -- are still scheduled to appear in police court here Monday, according to City Atty. Jay Honohan.
  Honohan said Saturday delay in the trial granted by District Court Judge Ansel Chapman Thursday applies only to the clients of defense Lawyers Joseph Johnston and Patrick Toomey.
  Chapman will preside over a Jan. 11 hearing to decide if a writ of certiorari should be issued which would authorize a review of pre-trial proceedings.
  Johnston and Toomey are challenging the legality of a mass trial and the constitutionality of the city's disorderly conduct charge under which the 210 are charged.
  Honohan said the remainder of the defendants not represented by Johnston and Roomey are scheduled for trial on Monday.
  "But if any of them request a continuance, I'm sure it could be granted," Honohan added.
  Honohan has been working on the mass trial since early October. When the Jan. 4 date was set in mid-December, defense lawyers immediately filed a series of motions to Police Judge Joseph Thornton -- who will hear the cases -- for delays in the trial. 
  Judge Chapman's stay order apparently solves a space problem faced by local officials: The courtroom in the Civic Center where the trial begins at 9 a.m. Monday seats only 130 persons.
  The 210 were arrested May 8 after refusing orders to clear the Old Capitol and Pentacrest on the U of I campus during demonstrations following the U.S. invasion of Cambodia and the Kent State University killings.
  The order to clear the area was issued after U of I President Willard Boyd was informed that Old Capitol had been occupied by protesters. Boyd, who was in Des Moines at the time, later admitted that he had received misinformation.
  Iowa Highway Patrolmen began rounding up persons although the demonstration was peaceful and no one was inside the Old Capitol.

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(handwritten) 1/3/71 Still Plan Mass Trial By a Staff Writer Iowa City, IA -- That off-again, on-again mass trial for a group of University of Iowa step-sitters appears to be on again -- at least partially. Approximately one-half of the 210 persons -- all charged with disorderly conduct in last May's antiwar demonstrations here -- are still scheduled to appear in police court here Monday, according to City Atty. Jay Honohan. Honohan said Saturday delay in the trial granted by District Court Judge Ansel Chapman Thursday applies only to the clients of defense Lawyers Joseph Johnston and Patrick Toomey. Chapman will preside over a Jan. 11 hearing to decide if a writ of certiorari should be issued which would authorize a review of pre-trial proceedings. Johnston and Toomey are challenging the legality of a mass trial and the constitutionality of the city's disorderly conduct charge under which the 210 are charged. Honohan said the remainder of the defendants not represented by Johnston and Roomey are scheduled for trial on Monday. "But if any of them request a continuance, I'm sure it could be granted," Honohan added. Honohan has been working on the mass trial since early October. When the Jan. 4 date was set in mid-December, defense lawyers immediately filed a series of motions to Police Judge Joseph Thornton -- who will hear the cases -- for delays in the trial. Judge Chapman's stay order apparently solves a space problem faced by local officials: The courtroom in the Civic Center where the trial begins at 9 a.m. Monday seats only 130 persons. The 210 were arrested May 8 after refusing orders to clear the Old Capitol and Pentacrest on the U of I campus during demonstrations following the U.S. invasion of Cambodia and the Kent State University killings. The order to clear the area was issued after U of I President Willard Boyd was informed that Old Capitol had been occupied by protesters. Boyd, who was in Des Moines at the time, later admitted that he had received misinformation. Iowa Highway Patrolmen began rounding up persons although the demonstration was peaceful and no one was inside the Old Capitol.