DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Student protests, May-December 1971 | 1971-05-29 Des Moines Register Article: ""Drops Charge On Newsman""

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Student protests, May-December 1971

1971-05-29 Des Moines Register Article: ""Drops Charge On Newsman""

DMR 5/28/711

Correction

(The Register's Iowa News Service)

IOWA CITY, IA - In an article in the Thursday Register, Tom Christiansen, 22, of Coralville was incorrectly listed as having been found guilty of disobeying a police officer and fined $105. 
The error was based on information provided by the Iowa City Police Court clerk's office. The clerk's office said Thursdday that a charge of disorderly conduct filed against Christiansen after his arrest during recent disorders has been dismissed. No other charge has been filed against him, the clerk said Thursday. 
The Register regrets the error. 

DMR 5/29/71

DROPS CHARGE ON NEWSMAN
By Larry Eckholt 
(Register Staff Writer) 

IOWA CITY, IA - A charge of disorderly conduct against a Cedar Rapids photographer - arrested during student disorders here early May 6 - was dismissed in Police Court here Friday. 
Police Judge Joseph Thornton dismissed the charged against Wayne (Rick) Larson upon the recommendation of Asst. City Atty. Dennis Clark. 
Larson, a free lance photographer with Iowa Press Association credentials, was arrested with Iowa City Press-Citizen reporter Thomas Walsh, The two were standing with a group of newsmen who were observing law enforcement officers clearing local downtown streets during the recent disturbances. 
Clark said the city asked that the charge be dropped because Larson's attorney said he could produce witnesses who would testify that Larson was not with the group of reporters and photographers when a police officer ordered them to "move along."
Both Larson and Walsh were originally charged with disorderly conduct. The charge, against Walsh was dismissed but another one - failing to obey a police officer - was filed shortly before he came to trial May 17. Thornton found him guilty and fined Walsh $105 . 
In his decision, Thornton said that police officers had a duty to clear the streets during "civil uprisings" and that all persons in the area - including newsmen - must leave to avoid arrest. 
Any newsmen who elected to remain on the scene to report the news would do so "in peril" of being arrested, Thornton said. 
In other cases connected with the disorders, Thornton Friday found Robert Mall, 23, of Iowa City, guilty of disobeying a police officer. Mall was fined $105.
Also, a charge of unlawful assembly against Richard L. Fryear, 22, a University of Iowa graduate student from Iowa City, was dismissed by Thornton Friday. Some 30 persons arrested during the disorders have had cases against them dropped, so far. 
Convicted Friday on a charge of unlawful assembly was Betty Wood, a U of I junior from Barrington, Ill. She also was fined $104. At least 17 persons have been found guilty of charged filed against them in connection with the disorders, court records here show.

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DMR 5/28/711 Correction (The Register's Iowa News Service) IOWA CITY, IA - In an article in the Thursday Register, Tom Christiansen, 22, of Coralville was incorrectly listed as having been found guilty of disobeying a police officer and fined $105. The error was based on information provided by the Iowa City Police Court clerk's office. The clerk's office said Thursdday that a charge of disorderly conduct filed against Christiansen after his arrest during recent disorders has been dismissed. No other charge has been filed against him, the clerk said Thursday. The Register regrets the error. DMR 5/29/71 DROPS CHARGE ON NEWSMAN By Larry Eckholt (Register Staff Writer) IOWA CITY, IA - A charge of disorderly conduct against a Cedar Rapids photographer - arrested during student disorders here early May 6 - was dismissed in Police Court here Friday. Police Judge Joseph Thornton dismissed the charged against Wayne (Rick) Larson upon the recommendation of Asst. City Atty. Dennis Clark. Larson, a free lance photographer with Iowa Press Association credentials, was arrested with Iowa City Press-Citizen reporter Thomas Walsh, The two were standing with a group of newsmen who were observing law enforcement officers clearing local downtown streets during the recent disturbances. Clark said the city asked that the charge be dropped because Larson's attorney said he could produce witnesses who would testify that Larson was not with the group of reporters and photographers when a police officer ordered them to "move along." Both Larson and Walsh were originally charged with disorderly conduct. The charge, against Walsh was dismissed but another one - failing to obey a police officer - was filed shortly before he came to trial May 17. Thornton found him guilty and fined Walsh $105 . In his decision, Thornton said that police officers had a duty to clear the streets during "civil uprisings" and that all persons in the area - including newsmen - must leave to avoid arrest. Any newsmen who elected to remain on the scene to report the news would do so "in peril" of being arrested, Thornton said. In other cases connected with the disorders, Thornton Friday found Robert Mall, 23, of Iowa City, guilty of disobeying a police officer. Mall was fined $105. Also, a charge of unlawful assembly against Richard L. Fryear, 22, a University of Iowa graduate student from Iowa City, was dismissed by Thornton Friday. Some 30 persons arrested during the disorders have had cases against them dropped, so far. Convicted Friday on a charge of unlawful assembly was Betty Wood, a U of I junior from Barrington, Ill. She also was fined $104. At least 17 persons have been found guilty of charged filed against them in connection with the disorders, court records here show.