DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1970 | 1970-12-31 Des Moines Register Article: ""File Objection To Mass Trial""

Transcribe
Translate

University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1970

1970-12-31 Des Moines Register Article: ""File Objection To Mass Trial""

DMR
12/31/70

FILE OBJECTION
TO MASS TRIAL
By Larry Eckholt
(Register Staff Writer)
IOWA CITY, IA.—Defense lawyers for the so-called "Iowa City 210" have filed motions in police court here requesting that persons arrested in last May's anti-war disorders be given separate trials.
The 210 defendants–all charged with disorderly conduct after being arrested near the Old Capitol May 8—are scheduled to appear en masse Jan. 4 before Police Judge Joseph Thornton.
City Atty. Jay Honohan has stated that he will use the same evidence in prosecuting the 210 persons.
Defense attorneys Joseph Johnston and Newman Toomey, in their motions, claim that unless the defendants are tried separately, the "defendants cannot properly prepare a defense to the charges filed."
Judge Thornton took the motions under advisement, after hearing Honohan's charge that the defense is attempting to stall the mass trial by filing "delay tactics."
Johnston had requested last week that the trial be delayed at least one month in order that defense lawyers be able to prepare their cases. Thornton overruled that motion.
The trial is scheduled to be held in the Civic Center council chambers which seats 130.
Before classes at the University of Iowa recessed for Christmas vacation, students distributed leaflets urging people to congregate at the Civic Center Jan. 4 in protest of "the oppressive nature" of the scheduled trial.
The 210 persons were arrested after they ignored orders to clear the Pentacrest area. The protests followed the U.S. invasion of Cambodia and the killing of four Kent State University students by National Guardsmen.
The number of defendants has fluctuated since the city first announced that a mass trial would be held. First, 208 names were included. Then eight names were added and four others dropped from the initial list.
Thornton said Wednesday that two defendants—Bruce Clark and Jon Younger—have been removed from the list and will be tried under separate evidence.
In addition, another 13 persons are scheduled to apepar in another mass trial at an unscheduled date. Honohan said evidence in that trial will be different from the other mass trial.

Saving...

DMR 12/31/70 FILE OBJECTION TO MASS TRIAL By Larry Eckholt (Register Staff Writer) IOWA CITY, IA.—Defense lawyers for the so-called "Iowa City 210" have filed motions in police court here requesting that persons arrested in last May's anti-war disorders be given separate trials. The 210 defendants–all charged with disorderly conduct after being arrested near the Old Capitol May 8—are scheduled to appear en masse Jan. 4 before Police Judge Joseph Thornton. City Atty. Jay Honohan has stated that he will use the same evidence in prosecuting the 210 persons. Defense attorneys Joseph Johnston and Newman Toomey, in their motions, claim that unless the defendants are tried separately, the "defendants cannot properly prepare a defense to the charges filed." Judge Thornton took the motions under advisement, after hearing Honohan's charge that the defense is attempting to stall the mass trial by filing "delay tactics." Johnston had requested last week that the trial be delayed at least one month in order that defense lawyers be able to prepare their cases. Thornton overruled that motion. The trial is scheduled to be held in the Civic Center council chambers which seats 130. Before classes at the University of Iowa recessed for Christmas vacation, students distributed leaflets urging people to congregate at the Civic Center Jan. 4 in protest of "the oppressive nature" of the scheduled trial. The 210 persons were arrested after they ignored orders to clear the Pentacrest area. The protests followed the U.S. invasion of Cambodia and the killing of four Kent State University students by National Guardsmen. The number of defendants has fluctuated since the city first announced that a mass trial would be held. First, 208 names were included. Then eight names were added and four others dropped from the initial list. Thornton said Wednesday that two defendants—Bruce Clark and Jon Younger—have been removed from the list and will be tried under separate evidence. In addition, another 13 persons are scheduled to apepar in another mass trial at an unscheduled date. Honohan said evidence in that trial will be different from the other mass trial.