DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | University of Iowa anti-war protests, January-April 1971 | 1971-02-06 Daily Iowan Article: ""DIA Hearing Ends With Second Chaotic Day"" Page 1

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

1971-02-06 Daily Iowan Article: ""DIA Hearing Ends With Second Chaotic Day"" Page 1

2/6/71   DI  p. 1 (of 2)

DIA Hearing Ends With Second Chaotic Day
By Lynne MJoslin
Daily Iowan Reporter
Constant disorder and unprecedented informality characterized the final day of testimony in the University of Iowa administration's "DIA 11" hearing Friday.
The testimony was punctuated at times by the laughter, hissing or applause of the defendants and their supporters in the courtroom at the College of Law.
The 10 defendants (one, Bruce Ehrich, dropped registration and refused to participate in the hearings) are charged with violating sections of the administration's Code of Student Life and the Regents' Rules of Personal Conduct in connection with the Dec. 9 demonstration at the Placement Office situated in the Iowa Memorial Union.
The university chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) sponsored the demonstration against on-campus recruiting by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and has been charged with violation of administration rules for doing so.
University prosecutors Howard Sokol and John Larson continued their presentation of witnesses as court convened.
Dewey Stuit, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, described the disturbances at his office that followed the demonstration in the union.
General uproar surrounded Stuit's testimony as the various defendants and their representatives commented upon the validity of his statements to those in the courtroom.
One of the charges against the defendants is "physical abuse or threat against any person on the campus."
When asked if he felt threatened at any time, Stuit replied, "I was not afraid."
Stuit was able to identify only one of the defendants, Norton Wheeler, A4, as having participated in the disturbance at his office.
The testimony prompted a call from Wheeler that charges against the demonstrators be dropped since there was insufficient evidence to dictate the limitation of charges to only 11 persons.
The prosecution then called James P. Sandrock, professor of German, who stated that the confusion and noise created by the demonstrators at the Liberal Arts office had carried to his own office located more than 100 yards away.
Sandrock said he was attracted to the scene of the disturbance and remained there the entire length of the demonstration.
In reply to questions from the defense, Sandrock said he did not see Stuit touch anyone.
"I thought he showed remarkable restraint," he said.
Wheeler then asked Sandrock the question that would rise time and again throughout the remainder of the day, "What do you think of the DIA?"
The administration's hearing officer, retired Iowa Supreme Court Justice Theodore Garfield, interceded at this point.
"Well . . ." he drawled.
The prosecution objected that the question was irrelevant to the charges involved.
"Well . . . ." the judge drawled again.
Wheeler then whirled to address the courtroom audience on the relevance that the witness' feelings could have upon his testimony.
Garfield instructed Wheeler to refrain from addressing the audience and then turned to Sandrock and said, "Go ahead and answer the question."
Sandrock responded, as did most others confronted by the question, that he had never heard of the DIA before Dec. 9.
Campus Security Detective Kenneth Saylor was recalled as the last witness for the prosecution.
Saylor's testimony also centered upon the events at Stuit's office. Saylor indicated that he thought Wheeler; Stephen Carl, A3; and Bruce Johnson seemed to be directing the discussion between Stuit and the demonstrators.
"There was a distinct separation of distance between those three students and the others present," Saylor said.
The university prosecutors concluded their case with the submission of typographical amendments to the charges against the defendants.
Confusion once again dominated the courtroom as the numerous defendants and representatives voiced their objections to the prosecution's right to amend the charges.
Defense attorney Philip Mause, assistant professor of law, was able to introduce some semblance of order to the defense table when he arrived in the court room after teaching a 9:30 class.
Mause introduced the case for the defense by entering a motion for dismissal of the charges. He said the prosecution had failed to give evidence of physical threat or threat of force.
Garfield ruled that the motion was premature and the defense proceded with its case.
Carolyn Feuerhelm, A4, testified that she had gone to the Placement Office on Dec. 9 to interview for a job. The demonstrators allowed her to pass, she said.
Alan B. Spitzer, professor of history, stated that the Faculty Senate had passed a resolution recommending than an interviewing agent should meet with interested parties in a public hearing if so petitioned by 25 or more students.
Jane Wellborn, G, took the stand to say, "The demonstration let me know how thoroughly organized the military spying on civilians has become."
The defense called Maggie Hoover, G, who had an appointment with the DIA representative Dec. 9. She stated

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2/6/71 DI p. 1 (of 2) DIA Hearing Ends With Second Chaotic Day By Lynne MJoslin Daily Iowan Reporter Constant disorder and unprecedented informality characterized the final day of testimony in the University of Iowa administration's "DIA 11" hearing Friday. The testimony was punctuated at times by the laughter, hissing or applause of the defendants and their supporters in the courtroom at the College of Law. The 10 defendants (one, Bruce Ehrich, dropped registration and refused to participate in the hearings) are charged with violating sections of the administration's Code of Student Life and the Regents' Rules of Personal Conduct in connection with the Dec. 9 demonstration at the Placement Office situated in the Iowa Memorial Union. The university chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) sponsored the demonstration against on-campus recruiting by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and has been charged with violation of administration rules for doing so. University prosecutors Howard Sokol and John Larson continued their presentation of witnesses as court convened. Dewey Stuit, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, described the disturbances at his office that followed the demonstration in the union. General uproar surrounded Stuit's testimony as the various defendants and their representatives commented upon the validity of his statements to those in the courtroom. One of the charges against the defendants is "physical abuse or threat against any person on the campus." When asked if he felt threatened at any time, Stuit replied, "I was not afraid." Stuit was able to identify only one of the defendants, Norton Wheeler, A4, as having participated in the disturbance at his office. The testimony prompted a call from Wheeler that charges against the demonstrators be dropped since there was insufficient evidence to dictate the limitation of charges to only 11 persons. The prosecution then called James P. Sandrock, professor of German, who stated that the confusion and noise created by the demonstrators at the Liberal Arts office had carried to his own office located more than 100 yards away. Sandrock said he was attracted to the scene of the disturbance and remained there the entire length of the demonstration. In reply to questions from the defense, Sandrock said he did not see Stuit touch anyone. "I thought he showed remarkable restraint," he said. Wheeler then asked Sandrock the question that would rise time and again throughout the remainder of the day, "What do you think of the DIA?" The administration's hearing officer, retired Iowa Supreme Court Justice Theodore Garfield, interceded at this point. "Well . . ." he drawled. The prosecution objected that the question was irrelevant to the charges involved. "Well . . . ." the judge drawled again. Wheeler then whirled to address the courtroom audience on the relevance that the witness' feelings could have upon his testimony. Garfield instructed Wheeler to refrain from addressing the audience and then turned to Sandrock and said, "Go ahead and answer the question." Sandrock responded, as did most others confronted by the question, that he had never heard of the DIA before Dec. 9. Campus Security Detective Kenneth Saylor was recalled as the last witness for the prosecution. Saylor's testimony also centered upon the events at Stuit's office. Saylor indicated that he thought Wheeler; Stephen Carl, A3; and Bruce Johnson seemed to be directing the discussion between Stuit and the demonstrators. "There was a distinct separation of distance between those three students and the others present," Saylor said. The university prosecutors concluded their case with the submission of typographical amendments to the charges against the defendants. Confusion once again dominated the courtroom as the numerous defendants and representatives voiced their objections to the prosecution's right to amend the charges. Defense attorney Philip Mause, assistant professor of law, was able to introduce some semblance of order to the defense table when he arrived in the court room after teaching a 9:30 class. Mause introduced the case for the defense by entering a motion for dismissal of the charges. He said the prosecution had failed to give evidence of physical threat or threat of force. Garfield ruled that the motion was premature and the defense proceded with its case. Carolyn Feuerhelm, A4, testified that she had gone to the Placement Office on Dec. 9 to interview for a job. The demonstrators allowed her to pass, she said. Alan B. Spitzer, professor of history, stated that the Faculty Senate had passed a resolution recommending than an interviewing agent should meet with interested parties in a public hearing if so petitioned by 25 or more students. Jane Wellborn, G, took the stand to say, "The demonstration let me know how thoroughly organized the military spying on civilians has become." The defense called Maggie Hoover, G, who had an appointment with the DIA representative Dec. 9. She stated