Banner Graphic, Volume 14, Number 276, Greencastle, Putnam County, 28 July 1984 — Page 2
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The Putnam County Banner-Graphic, July 28,1984
Medical link sought in deaths of brothers 92 minutes apart
CANANDAIGUA, NY. (AP) - Minutes after a teen-ager dropped dead while watching television, his 10-year-old brother collapsed and died as his mother returned home with the news. Neither had shown previous symptoms of illness, and a similar sudden death of a cousin seven years ago suggested that an inherited condition may have killed all three, authorities said Friday. Michael Stott, 16, and his brother, Christopher, 10, died 92 minutes apart Wednesday night and early Thursday morning in this city about 20 miles southeast of Rochester. A 14-year-old cousin died suddenly on a baseball field seven years ago. A preliminary autopsy found lung congestion in both brothers. Dr. Charles Bathrick, the Ontario County coroner, said that such congestion has been known to follow a sudden irregularity in heartbeat. “Certainly the two things happening suddenly, together with the cousin a few years ago, makes it a possibility” that a congenital heart defect was to blame, Bathrick said in a telephone interview. The cause of the boys’ deaths won’t be known for certain, however, until the middle of next week, when microscopic analyses of organ tissues and toxicology tests are completed, Bathrick said. Earlier, Monroe County Medical Examiner Dr. Nicholas Forbes, who was not involved in the autopsy,
Ready to be released, Hinckley tells U.S. judge
WASHINGTON (AP) - John W. Hinckley Jr. says he’s cured of the mental illness that caused him to shoot President Reagan in 1981, and he is asking to be released from a Washington mental hospital. “I am ready now,” Hinckley told the federal judge who committed him to St. Elizabeths Hospital after a jury found him innocent by reason of insanity in the assasination attempt. Hinckley appeared before U.S. District Judge Barrington D. Parker on Friday to say he planned to invoke his legal right for a hearing on his sanity. Under the law Hinckley intends to use, Hinckley must prove he is no longer a danger to himself or others because of mental illness. Federal law gives people committed to mental hospitals the right to petition for their release every six months. “I have refrained from asking for a hearing because I wasn’t ready,” Hinckley said Friday in his first trip outside the hospital since he was committed in 1982. “I am ready now and will file notice with the court,” Hinkley told Parker. Parker presided over Hinckley’s trial in the shooting of Reagan and three other men on March 30,1981. Hinckley was committed to St. Elizabeths in June 1982 after a federal jury returned the insanity verdict. Hinckley wrote to Parker last week asking for Friday’s hearing. He said then
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speculated that a rare heart disorder called “instantaneous physiological death” might have stricken the brothers. Michael collapsed while watching television at a friend’s house, police said Thursday. An hour and a half later, as Michael’s grieving mother returned from the hospital, Christopher ran to meet her and also collapsed and died. Forbes said his suspicion on the cause of death was strengthened by the death in 1977 of the brothers’ cousin, Daniel Stott of Rochester, who collapsed on a baseball field during an argument. All three lost their breath and died without regaining consciousness. “To get a genetic time-linked death is unusual and something that should be researched thoroughly,” Forbes said. Michael’s friends said he seemed “hyper” when he went bowling Wednesday night and later while watching television. His brother and cousin also were agitated before their deaths. “Certainly excitement can be a precipitating event” for a heart attack caused by a defect in the tissues that conduct electricity and control the heartbeat, Bathrick said. The coroner told police there was no obvious evidence of drugs, alcohol or foul play, although a final determination would have to await the results of toxicology tests. Friends said the mother, Carol Stott, who had lived alone with the boys, was too distressed to discuss their deaths.
he would dismiss his attorneys, Vincent Fuller and Judith Miller, and would represent himself when he files a petition for release. Friday’s hearing was requested by Hinckley to get Parker’s permission for Hinckley to represent himself. “The only way you can see for yourself whether or not I am competent to represent myself is through a hearing in which I could prove my abilities to you,” Hinckley said in his letter last week. “Otherwise, it would be unfair to make a ruling one way or the other.” In Friday’s court appearance, however, Hinckley said he had not yet decided whether to fire the attorneys. He insisted, though, that he intended to represent himself in the proceedings. Parker told Hinckley that he could proceed on his own, “but I can have someone sit in the wings to see that it does not get off course. I intend to do that. ” Hinckley also disputed statements made by Fuller and government prosecutors last spring that he has not been denied his right to free speech at St. Elizabeths Hospital. In an April letter to Parker, Hinckley said he had been at the mental hospital for two years under severe restrictions not imposed on any other patient. Fuller told the court at the time that he had investigated and had talked to Hinckley and learned that his client was under no restrictions that did not apply to other patients.
Bonding firm repays money INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - An Indianapolis bonding company has reimbursed Madison County for $33,500 in child support funds taken from the county clerk’s office, Attorney General Linley E. Pearson says. Indiana Insurance Co., which wrote the official bond for Clerk Rose Mary Lockwood, covered the loss of funds disclosed by a State Board of Accounts audit earlier this year. Pearson said Friday that although Mrs. Lockwood didn’t take the money, the state holds her liable for the actions of her employees because she is the official in charge. An employee is suspected of taking the money between August and December 1983, Pearson said.
June 26 mishap killed three teen-agers Charges filed in driver ed crash
NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (AP) - A Hamilton County grand jury indicted a truck driver involved in a crash that killed three Carmel High School driver education students. Thomas L. Hawkins, 30, of Indianapolis, was charged Friday with three counts of reckless homicide in the deaths of Christina Andis, 15; David Voelker, 15, and Luz Shiroka, 16. He also was charged with one count of criminal recklessness for seriously injuring their instructor, Douglas Collins, 35. The students were killed June 26 when their driver education car, stopped for a traffic light at the junction of U.S. 31 and Ind. 38 north of Westfield, was struck in the
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The Cimmeron Outlaws, a gang of modern-day show "gunfighters," are re-creating a chapter of Old West this month during Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wy. The men, attired in costume and carrying authentic six-shooters,
Gov. Orr supports the idea
'Career ladders' for teachers?
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - If Gov. Robert D. Orr is re-elected, a proposal to create “career ladders” for teachers could be part of his 1985 legislative agenda. Orr described himself as being “a quiet supporter of career ladders for some time. In my opinion, this is a way to provide for an opportunity for an improved career for teachers.” A career ladder is an advancement program for teachers which offers opportunities for higher pay and more responsibility without going into the administrative ranks of education. The career ladder concept is politically more palatable than teacher merit pay, which has drawn complaints from teacher organizations who say only submissive teachers will be rewarded. And Orr conceded there is a consensus that the idea of
Driver bent on revenge kills 1, injures 52 on sidewalk
LOS ANGELES (AP) A motorist who wanted “revenge against the police” mowed down screaming pedestrians “like bowling pins” on a crowded sidewalk near an Olympic Village, killing a woman and injuring at least 52 other people, authorities said. The driver, who was not injured, was arrested for investigation of murder, police said. “There is no indication there is any con-
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rear by Hawkins’ truck. Hamilton County Prosecutor Steve R. Nation said he felt the decision to indict was influenced by the fact there were good visibility and road conditions the sunny afternoon of the accident. At the scene, Hawkins told sheriff’s deputies he took his eyes off the road moments before the crash to adjust the truck’s stereo system. Police quoted witnesses as saying Hawkins was driving very fast, possibly 70 to 75 mph. There were no skid marks from sudden braking that police could measure to determine the truck’s speed. Gordon E. Tabor, one of Collins’ at-
traveled by horse and covered wagon from Denver to Cheyenne in time for the Frontier Days celebration. (AP Laserphoto)
merit pay “simply had too many negatives attached. “It tends to set up unfortunate competition,” Orr said. “It is too simplistic. It doesn’t provide an adequate degree of reward.” Speaking to reporters Friday via a telephone conference call from Nashville, Tenn., where he attended an education forum, the Republican governor was asked if he would ask the 1985 Legislature to approve a career ladder program for teachers. “I think probably so,” he replied. But he cautioned, “it isn’t something that can be done in a big, fat hurry and dumped into the laps of the Legislature. There has to be a lot of preplanning and conditioning of everybody’s thought processes.” Orr said Tennessee now has a career ladder program for teachers. But it took
nection with the Olympic Games in any way,” said Police Chief Daryl Gates. The Olympics open today. A car driven by Daniel Lee Young, 21, of Inglewood, barreled down the sidewalk for almost a block Friday night in a trendy Los Angeles neighborhood about a mile south of the entrance to the Olympic Village on the campus of the University of California at Los Angeles, police said. The car bolted onto the sidewalk, finally
torneys, earlier said he learned Hawkins complained of becoming ill the morning of the crash but was told by his superiors to make his scheduled deliveries anyway. Nation said Hawkins, who declined to testify before the grand jury, had already agreed to surrender to sheriff’s authorities. Bond was set at $7,500. Reckless homicide and criminal recklessness each carry 2-8 year prison sentences and a SIO,OOO fine. Collins filed an $8 million damage suit against Hawkins, the 7-Up Bottling Co. and its parent company, Westinghouse Beverage Group Inc. Collins suffered multiple injuries in the crash and is
two tries in the Legislature to get approval for the plan, Orr said. “There may be a need for some more testing of the waters. ’ ’ Five other states have some form of career ladder program, he said. At the Nashville education forum sponsored by Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander, Orr outlined new programs getting under way in Indiana. They include Project Primetime, a state-funded effort to reduce class sizes in early grades; student competency testing and remedial programs; stricter high school graduation requirements; and a computer education program for Hoosier teachers. A spokesman for Orr said the July 9 issue of “State Policy Reports” lists Indiana among the top 10 states in the number of educational initiatives implemented in the last year. Indiana shares ninth place with North Carolina.
crashing into a bus kiosk, shattering glass and crushing its own front end, authorities said. Young walked out of his car and was taken into custody on the scene, police Sgt. Karl Moody said “He has said he wanted to get even against the police, but there is no indication of why. The Olympics were not mentioned by him,” Gates said. Young was on probation after a burglary
Venice Thomas convicted on child neglect charge
DANVILLE, Ind. (AP) A former Stilesville woman has been found guilty of neglecting her 17-month-old son but innocent in his death. Venice E. Thomas, 22, faces a maximum 20 years in jail and a SIO,OOO fine for neglect of a dependent after being convicted Friday in Hendricks Circuit Court. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 24. The jury deliberated for 11 hours until 1:30 a m. Friday, before announcing that Ms. Thomas was acquitted of an involuntary manslaughter charge, but guilty of the neglect charge.
recuperating in Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Police said their records show Hawkins was ticketed for 10 moving violations in the last nine years. Two were for violating an automatic traffic signal and another for violating a stop sign, they added. His driver’s license has been suspended three times in the last six years, records show. At the time of the fatal accident, Hawkins had six violation points on his driving record. A recent Bureau of Motor Vehicles policy allows drivers to accumulate 11 points without being placed on probation or being called in for an administrative hearing.
New Castle strikers may lose jobs NEW CASTLE, Ind. (AP) - New Castle Mayor Bud Ayers said Friday he “more than likely” will seek a court order forcing striking city employees back to work and added they “probably” would be “resigned” if they disobey it. The strike by city workers, which excludes police and firefighters, began July 18. Ayres maintained that the strike is illegal because the workers’ contract doesn’t expire until September. If employees fail to return to work, Ayers said a statement “probably” will be issued which assumes that those 112 striking members of local 1478 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees who do not return to work have resigned. “I’ll be forced to give them some type of ultimatum,” Ayres said. Within the next few days, Ayres said he will try to convince workers to end their strike because the situation is near critical. He said more than 100 complaints have been received from residents about the lack of trash pickups. The strikers on Friday obeyed a court injunction, which was issued Thursday ordering them to keep access open to city facilities, Ayres said. The 10-day injunction was granted because strikers were preventing personnel from entering and leaving the sewage plant and waterworks. Workers had increased efforts to block city facilities after the city council voted 43 Thursday night to freeze the strikers’ wages at current levels, denying the pay raises they had requested. “They honored the injunction as far as I’m aware of today,” Ayres said. “It was very peaceful. It had the nonviolent atmosphere. Most of the strikers were enjoying the day. A lot were under shade trees, picknicking.” Union president Dorothy Byers said Wednesday, “We plan to close down everything.” Ms. Byers said city workers might force the water and sewage treatment plants and the municipal pool at Baker Park to close. Before the injunction was issued, she had said earlier Thursday that strikers would obey it. Ayres said the problem of trash pickup will have to be addressed by early next week. “The citizens have been very cooperative from the standpoint that we ask them to keep trash and garbage in their garage or in closed areas,” Ayres said. “That’s certainly been helpful.”
conviction, Gates said, adding there was no evidence of drug or alcohol use. A computer check, Gates said, showed that no Olympic athletes or officials were among the victims. However, a member of the Olympic All-American Marching Band due to perform in today’s opening ceremonies was in surgery early today. The dead woman was not immediately identified.
Her son, Harley J. Branam, bled to death Nov. 25 from a blow to the abdomen. Hendricks County Prosecutor David H. Coleman charged during the two<lay trial that Ms. Thomas abused the child, who had multiple bruises on his face and stomach and a large amount of Valium in his bloodstream the morning of his death. Defense attorneys tried to link their client’s boyfriend to the baby’s death. Ms Thomas testified Thursday that her boyfriend and his parents tried to convince her to say the child’s injuries were caused by a fall down stairs.