Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 December 1979 — Page 2

ps. : mm * ■- loti

3ft. •sS.'fcr IWhmAlPl nffNielV Illi M

PAGE 2

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDED SATURMV, DfCftMtfR 22, 1979

Railroad to the gas chamber

WARRKN Sl'MLIN

Warren SumSim a black man. is now or. death row in I’enitentiary. Arkan ,a>. sentf-nceii to die for a n.ardor he aiiedejfiy did not commitSumlin > ordeal be^an in

August 1977. when he volun tarily went to Columbia ( oun ty Courthouse in Arkansas to settle some traffic tickets. There, he was trapped in a web of so called racist frame ups designed by the local judiie.

district attorney ahd sheriff, all of whom needed an exemplary case to bolster their sagging campaign^for re-election. As an outsider with a felony record, Sumlin was convenient target. First he was arbitrarily charged with assault. When that charge was dropped, local officials refused to release him, claiming he was being held for extradition to Los Angeles where he was wanted for murder. W'arren Sumlin, in act, has never been in Los Angeles. Sheriff Gordon Hunter had, been holding Sumlin in isolation for 96 days when Sumlin’s wife, Ruth, attempted to free him. The car she used in the escape attempt belonged to J.Y. Coo per. On the witness stand, Ruth Sumlin testified that the night of the escape Cooper was drunk, they quarrelled and she shot him in fright. She then proceeded to Columbia County Jail and freed Warren and three other inmates at gun point. They were all recaptured later that evening. As a result of the incident, Ruth Sumlin was sentenced to life imprisonment for the mur der of Cooper. Warren Sumlin was sentenced to death for the same murder, even though he was in jail at the time Cooper died and there was no evidence of his conspiring with Ruth Sumlin to commit murder. The media in Magnolia, Ark., featured dramatic details

SPECIALS

STORM WINDOWS/DOORS ROOFING «iKs- GUTTERING INSULATED ALUMINUM SIDING

^ Both room Remodeling m Complete Kitchens ‘ • Ceromic Wall Tile • Vinyl Floor Tite •Ceiling Tile P Aluminum Awnings • Roofing • Storm W»ndnw< • Guttering f Carpeting

• Inside House Pointing • Wall Paneling • Cement Work • Re-Wiring ; ! NO MONEYS DOWN 1ST | PAYMENT ! ! MAR., 1980 !

SPECIAL TERMS fOR SENIOR CITIZENS

MontMy Budget Terms Arranged

M.G. W0KT0N

MORTON REMODELING CO. 230 E. Ohio St. Call Day or Nite FREE ESTIMATES 632-7722 283-1317

WHEN DO YOU SAY DUD? A/ vr the work is done, or right in the middle of the fun. I*

fA

V

9USCH INC • ST *DUIS - • * AT B-F BEVERAGE CO. DISTRIBUTED BY 1102 STADIUM DU. INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA FRED H. KOCH, PRESIDENT ; v AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER **

of the C ooper murder in front page banner headlines for weeks before the trial. In a deliberate effort to legitimize the flimsy case against Sumlin. they ran hysterical stories about Cooper having been castrated. Judge John N. Graves, District Attorney Michael Kinard and Sheriff Gordon Hunter each made the Sumlin case a focal point of their election campaign rhetoric. When Warren Sumlin’s employer posted the $200,000 bond that had been set before the murder trial, the Sheriff rejected the money, officially revoked bond and stated, “You can’t have this nigger. This is our nigger and we're gonna keep him.” The only testimony to allegedly prove that Warren conspired with Ruth to murder Cooper came from two inmates who has sentences of 10 to 20 years reduced to one year in exchange for their testimony. Given the physical structure of the jail, it would have been impossible for them to have overheard the conversation they claimed to quote. Sumlin’s court-appointed defense attorney was accused of being incapable of defending him. This was the first time he had defended a client on any kind of criminal charge. After a four day trial, a jury of II whites and one black Iw'ho was related to the victim) convicted Sumlin on July 14, 1978. He was sentenced to die, F ebruarv 2. 1979. Since that date, Sumlin has faced eight postponements to die. Sumlin’s family in Oak land, California have spear headed the organization of the Warren Sumlin Defense Com mittee. Mrs. Vashtie Sumlin, a spokesperson for the Commit tee. explained the importance of building support for her son: "You know the U.S. govern ment reports that one out of every four black men in the C.S.gets sentenced to prison at one time or another in their lives. This is not only an attack on the men. It tears at the heart of all black families. When they sentenced Warren to death, it was also a sentence agamst our family. His sister suffered a heart attack and my blood pressure went critically high. "You wouldn't want to know how it fe« ls to have a son on death row," Mrs. Sumlin con tinued. It's a constant pain. It's a constant pain. It’s some thing that never ceases. I go to b**d with it and wake up with :t: thinking of what they want to do to my son. And Warren yould be any black man and any Mark mother could be me. " The Defense Committee is asking for donations as well as political support. Committee Workers are needed. Petitions and letters will demonstrate to the Attorney General and the Governor of Arkansas that masses of people will no longer tolerate the lynching of Black people. A petition campaign has already begun in California and has the support of the Aincan National Prisoner Or ganization (ANPOl. A spokes p -rson for ANPD’s Western Region explained why they support the campaign to free Warren Sumlin: “From the outset it must be clearly understood that the death penalty and prisons with in the U.S. function primarily as genocidal attacks against African (blackI people. Accord inng to official' U.S. govern ment statistics, over half of all those currently on death row are African people. The pecu liar case of Warren Sumlin must not be viewed in isolation from the increasing number of African people who are awaiting execution in prisons within current U.S. borders. Warren Sumlin. like thousands of other African people locked down, is an innocent victim of Yankeestyle lynch law to which all colonized people are daily subject. To fight for the immediate and unconditional release of Warren Sumlin is to seriously challenge U.S. domestic colonialism and its strangle hold on our whole people." For petitions, more information or to send donations, write to Warren • Sumlin Defense Committee, 678 Aileen Street, Oakland, California 94609.

Th»> Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center in New York City is the world's largest opera house. It has a 3,800-seat capacity and a stage 234 feet wide by

146 feet deep.

mndiaVaT<KK fiEccioad wt- \4USfc 2ir<r60l. * ^38*1

SHARE: Thanks to generous donations by the Past Masters, officers and members of Trinity Lodge 18, 20 needy families were donated Thanksgiving baskets with each amply filled with a large turkey, sweet and Irish potatoes, green beans, flour, corn meal, sugar, cake mix, onions, fresh vegetables and fruits, cranberry sauce and assorted can goods to help make their boLJay an enjoyable one. Lodge members present to help fill and distribute the baskets were (front, left to right] William Smith, Senior Warden and chairman of the project: Simpson Holifield, IUPUI registration dates

MARCUS C. STEWART.

Mtor aad hMakor

i PoMihiiW-Myty ' V Goarfo 9. Stovart NMa| C*. «•» **01 N. Tacaaw, MhEpHfc,

Final exams ended Monday (Dec. 17) at Indiana Univer sity Purdue University at Indi anapolis and the Christmas holidays began for the more than 21,000 students. But it is not long until spring semester classes they start Jan. 14, and walk in registration is scheduled for Jan. 10 11 at Cavanaugh Hall, 925 West Michigan Street. IUPUI continues to develop new programs and courses to meet the students’ needs. The IUPUI Honors Program, to be introduced next semester, is designed for academically tab ented and motivated students. To be admitted, students cur rently enrolled at IUPUI must have 12 hours of credit with a < 3 grade point average. In •oming freshmen must have graduated in the top 10 percent oi their high school class or nave a minimum 1200 score on tht-ir Scholastic Aptitude Test. Interested students should con tact the program director. Donna K. Dial. Cavanaugh Hall. Room 303, Indianapolis 46202. or call 264 2660. More than 40 new courses will bo offered during the spring semester. Fashion iilu st rat ion, grievance representa lion and arbitration, tennis, life and theology of St. Paul, tele vision directing and business German are a few of the new courses. lUPIT's innovative Week end College and Learn & Shop programs again will provide convenient and energy-saving classes. In the Weekend College, students can attend class* from Saturday at 8 a.m. to Sunday at 7 p.m. Students can stay closer to home and still take credit classes in the Learn & Shop program, about to ejnbark on its third successful semester. Nine department stores in five shopping centers will pro 250 courses offered at Free University Indianapolis Free University is now taking registration for more than 250 courses listed in its January February Catalog, available free at public libraries and most bookstores. New courses scheduled to start the 80s decade include downhill and cross-country skiing, career planning. Civil War re-enacting, color me positive while single, shedding the male myth, where the fish are, stop smoking clinics, solar power, so you have to make a speech, flower arranging, aero bic dance, 1980 elections, advertising, modeling, weaving, body building, wood stripping, understanding fitness and many others. Early registration is advised to avoid a $2 late-registration fee. Free University open registration is scheduled for Satur- * days, Dec. 29 and Jan. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 52nd and Central Avenue. Interested persons should call 283-1976 for •information.

vide classroom space for the at least 1,300 students expected to enroll. The classes will be held in Ayres at Glendale, Greenwood Park and La fayette Square; Lazarus in Castleton Square; Penney’s at Castleton Square. Lafayette Square and Washington Square, and Sears at Greenwood Park and Castleton Square. Learn & Shop classes are offered seven days a week with a minimum of four classes each day. Most classes begin at 10:15 a.m.;others start at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. The subjects range from social problems to oceano graphy, from algebra to women in politics, from crime and society to English grammar. On site registration for Learn & Shop will be Jan. 2 6 at the different shopping centers, as follows: Jan. 2 - Ayres Glendale, 10:15 a.m. to noon, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 3 Ayres Lafayette Square, 10:15 a.m. to noon. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. -1 Ayres Greenwood Park, 10:15 a.m. to noon, 6 p.m. to h p.m; Jan. 5 Penney s Washing ton Square, 1 p.m. to3:30"p.m. Jan. 6 Lazarus Castleton Square, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Persons may also register foi Learn X Shop classes during the Jan. 10 11 walk in registra tion at Cavanaugh Hall. For details and a class schedule, call 264 7711. The sping semester at 11 PIT ends May 4. $15,000 needed for new Tech band uniforms The Arsenal Technical High School Marching Band is currently in the midst of a fund drive to raise $145,000 for 100 new uniforms. The campaign is directed at both alumni and friends of the eastside school, and it should be notel all contributions are tax deductible. They can be sent to Tech Marching Band, Tech Music Department, 1500 E. Michigan, Indianapolis, 46?01. Complete uniforms cost $150 each, and persons or companies giving $100 or $50 can have their names placed in the coat or pants, respectively.

Lewis Scott, Charles B. Wilburn. Past Master: Miles T orain, Andrew Murray, Worshipful Master; Hannis W illiams, James Gray, Charles Pernell, Cleveland Quarles, trustee: Robert Watts. John G. Powers, Stanley Roberts! Orlando Banks, Clarence Barnett, Junior Warden, and W illie J. Forty, On the back row are (from left] Wille Young, James W. Terry, Past Master; Gulliver Darden, R.B. Martindale and Rev. Alonzo Gardner, chaplain. [Recorder photo by Leonard T. Clark] Butler introduces new * / degree in law studies

Butler University has an nouneed it will introduce a two year associate degree pro gram in legal assistant studies beginning next semester. T he new program has been designed in accordance with recommendations of the Amen can Bar Association. It com bines traditional liberal arts Courses, law related work and legal specialty courses. Candidates must meet But Ter admission requirements for entry into the program. The degree w ill require 65. credit hours, according to Dr. Paul R. Stewart, vice president for academic affairs. Students seeking or already possessing a baccalaure;- e de gree may fie admitted as eandi dates for certification as legal assistance if they have met requirements for the associate degree, he said. "Our feasibility studies and other studies indicate a strong interest in legal assistant train

ing and increasing intentions by the leeal orofesfcion to expand use of paralegals,” he added. For additional information, interested persons are requested to contact the Admissions Office. 283 9255, or the University College, 2839308, at Butler. Registration for the next semester will he Jan. 9-18. (' lasses begin Jan. 14. GERTRUDE PAYNE Mrs. Gertrude Trabue Payne, 84-year old Indianapolis resident, died December 12th at Winona Memorial Hospital. Rites were concucted December 15th in Craig Funeral Home, with burial in New Crown Cemetery. Mrs. Payne, 3459 Calhoun, was a member of Stewart’s Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and the Golden Age Club. Survivors include a son, Charles Pavne. Jacksonville. Fla.

OUTSTANDING pi FOOD BARGAINS'

PRICES AVAILABLE THRU" DEC. 22-.H79

LOOK

In most years one of every five hogs in the U.S. is raised in Iowa.

OOlHCf insukankeageSF AUTO* riliE* LIFE ACCIDENT & HEALTH 3026 CENTRAL AVE. ! 923-9237 1

Ajcf of March 7, il70. faMi AtartMag AMaftaMatatf ft^aa# 45fh'$traat, i R.Y. 100)4. vy. CTj •f Aa*

Junk Car Is Wortli Cash! We Haul Away For Pay

We pay the HIGHEST PRICES if you mention THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

BiHi

FRESH-BAKING HENS

hO CD

TURKEY WINGS-IEGS-TAILS-NECKS

• 59'

SMOKED PICNICS

, 79‘

(neck bones 311

HOG MAULS

2 LB. | PKG. *

BANQUET-FROZEN PIESHELLSj

^ 2CT. AA4 £pkgs.^^

WELLESLEY FARMS ICE CREAM

$■ 19 ONE-HALF I GAL.

SUGARY SAMS . YAMS

89*

U.S. NO. ONE ONIONS

» 40* •“Ow

(oranges T’ l

■ FRESH WESTERN-TURNIP-MUSTARD ' I GREENS

m- 49 i

|‘ FRANKOVITZ t §. IS LOC ATED J

> MSlPwl OjMTTiyjREE^jJ^