Page 2-Wednesday, May 23, 1979-The Michigan Daily Judge delays one (Continued from P'age 1) Court Justice William Rehnquist do nothave the courage to face not only refused to grant a stay of execution. the issue of the death penalty, but the The fullcourt had rejected Spenkelink's issue of discrimination as well," he said appeal four times. in his statement, issued before Darden Spenkelink's attorneys sought won his reprieve. Darden is black. another U.S. Supreme Court justice in Spenkelink is white. hopes of winning a stay. Spenkelink-scheduled to die at 7 Spenkelink, described by visitors as am. today-asked to see the governor "serenie," issued a statement through or the attorney general. "It seems to an attorney. me that if he is to judge me, he should "I always had a lot of faith in this know me," hesaid.s p e counry ad is corts, hesaid "I Florida State Prison Superintendent country and its courts," he said. "I David Brierton said he talked with the guess you'd have to say I've lost some two men early yesterday. He said of that now. "NOT THAT I don't love this coun- Spenkelink, who came within 36 hours try-I do. I just find it hard to believe of execution in September 1977 before that there are people who would not or appeals saved him, didn't seem ner- inmate's exeeution vous. "He's remained pretty constant." had made any special requests, Brier- ANOTHER VISITOR, the Rev. ton said. Joseph Ingle of the Southern Coalition Representatives of the major on Jails and Prisons, said the California television networkds, national news jail escapes was "probably doing better media, and many Florida based repor. in terms of composure than we are." ters have also converged here. Brierton said about 40 inmates-one Spenkelink was convicted of the Feb. third of the prison population-refused 4, 1973, shooting of a traveling con their breakfast and lunch yesterday to panion, Ohio parole violator Joseph protest the executions. Syzmankiewicz, who was killed in a Today's execution would be the first Tallahassee motel room. He was cap- in the United States since 1977, and the tured several days later in California. first of an unwilling prisoner since 1967. Darden was convicted by a Citrus Flordia's last previous execution was in County jury of the Sept. 8, 1973, shooting 1964. of Lakeland, Fla., furniture store owner NO FINAL PLANS had been made James Turman. about a last meal because neither man Small Diag group holds quiet vigil for Spenkelink By PATRICIA HAGEN Holding flickering candle stubs and sitting on benches at the edge of the Diag, four men last night kept a vigil in recognition of the scheduled execution of John Spenkelink, a convicted mur- derer, in Florida this morning. Handlettered signs reading, "Executions to begin again - San- ctioned by law" and "Save John Spenkelink from American Justice," were propped against the benches. THE VIGIL apparently was spon- sored by the National Alliance Against Racism and Political Oppression, ac- cording to John Steinbach, a senior in the school of Natural Resources. But, he said, the four men had arrived in- dependently about 8 p.m. and were not members of the organization. They said they heard about a protest through friends and radio reports. The waiting men said they expected members of the alliance to arrive and expressed disappointment that more people did not join the chilly wait. "A life is at stake and nobody comes," said Pat McCarney, a South Quad custodian. "Opposition to capital punishment" and especially the way "the death penalty is prescribed in the state of Florida" were some-reasons Steinbach listed for his own vigil. STEINBACH SAID he thinks the death penalty is applied haphazardly, and blacks and poor people in conser- vative and rural communities are more likely to receive the death penalty, than whites. "His (Spenkelink's) crime is that he is defenseless and he doesn't have any money," said Steinbach. "Spenkelink is a number now, he is dehumanized." "It's not just this guy'" Carl Levine explained to three boys who stopped to ask about the vigil. "Once this guy goes, capital punishment exists again in this country." HE EXPRESSED fear that this execution would make the death penalty more common. The quiet protesters were not sure how long they would remain at their post on the Diag. Steinbach said he had no definite plans to stay until 7 a.m., the time of the scheduled execution . With a glance at the short candle in his hand, McCarney mentioned that he might stay "until it burns my fingers." Sufficientgs for weekend (ConnuedfromPage 1) everybody's cutting back," said Dave Carlton, owner of Carlton Oil Co. at 2115 S. State St. "But it all depends on how you manage it - everybody knows what their monthly allotments are, so if they run out, ' it's just bad management." NEW SOLOISTS TORONTO (AP)-Thee National Ballet of Canada dancers have been promoted to first soloists with the ballet. They are Esther Murillo, Constantin Patsalas and Raymond Smith. A2 faces lawsiit in former city clerk's dismissal case (Contisued fromPagewI g review of his case from City Council the city administrator to put in writing the reasons for suspending a city officer from the city's personnel grievan within 24 hours after the action occurs. board. The charter also requires City Coun- Laidlaw also argued that the city d cil to either fire or reinstate the officer not deny Weiss of his basic proper within 30 days. right under the Fourteenth Ame By not putting his reasons in writing dment, because his job could not 1 within 24 hours, Weiss maintains, considered a basic property right. Murray denied him due process of the FEIKENS, HOWEVER, agreed wi law to which he is entitled under the Weiss' attorney, Jay Siefman, thb Fourteenth Amendment. Weiss'-job could be considered a pie WEISS CLAIMS Belcher and City of property. Council also violated the city charter The matter will be decided by ju because they did nothing about trial in District Court. No trial date h reviewing his case, although they knew been set. Murray intended to fire him. Feikens also asked Siefman to subm He claims City Council denied him a brief supporting Weiss' claim that tI due process of the law in not taking ac- public statement made by Murray ha Lion to either fire or reinstate him denied Weiss of his basic right of liber within 30 days guaranteed under the Fourteent Weiss also alleges that Murray Amendment, by making it difficult f damaged his reputation by issuing a him to finda job. statement to the press after his Feikens will rule next week o dismissal, whether there is enough evidencet THE STATEMENT read, "This support Weiss' claim. change is being made because, in my opinion, Weiss has not sufficiently Director to be delegate developed the command and executive capacity to effectively manage the Dr. Linz Brown, Dearborn region Department." director for the University Extensi Weiss said he had received only good Service, has been elected one of 11 Is reviews on his job record, and had no delegates from Michigan to th reason to suspect he would be removed National White House Conferenceo from his position. Libraries and Information Services. According to one City Council mem- The event is scheduled Nov. 15-19i ber, Murray received "hundreds of Washington, D.C., with delegate complaints" concerning Weiss' representing every state and territory inability to perform well as city clerk. Issues to be considered at th WEISS PRESIDED over the mayoral national conference include rightst 'election in April 1977, in which former individual access to information, stat Mayor Albert Wheeler defeated and national information services ne Belcher by one vote. It was found after works, specialized library service the election that 20 township residents rights of authors and publisher: had voted illegally in the election, and library staffing and funding, and fo some city officials blamed Weiss for the mation of community advisory groups error. Brown's election as a nationE Chief City Attorney Bruce Laidlaw delegate occurred at the Michigan pr( filed a motion in the city's defense, conference to the White House Co asking Feikens to dismiss the case. ference, held recently in Lansing. Laidlaw argued that Weiss was not denied due process of the law when he was fired, because he failed to seek a THE MICHIGAN DAILY or ice id ty m- be th at ice ry as it he ad ty th or on to 1130F USA al on ay he on in es T. he of ite t- s, s, r- s. gal -e- in- DETROIT 313-477-2181 GRAND RAPIDS 016-940-9861 CLASSES BEGIN JUNE 4 CPA REVIEuW tState St. SIMON Computer game now available WHILE SUPPLIES LAST$ (UISPS 344-900) Volume LXXXIX, No. 16-S Wednesday. May 23, 1979 is edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan. Published daily Tuesday through Sunday morn- ings during the University year at 420 Maynard Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109. Subscription rates: $12 Se tem- ber throug ril (2 semesters) ;$13 by mailoutsidennArbor. 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