01 LOCAL/STATE The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, September 11, 2002 - 8 Webber refuses to adm By Steve Jackson Daily Sports Editor Although he is facing charges in a federal court for obstructing justice and giving false testimony to a grand jury in the trial of Ed Martin, former Michigan basketball star Chris Webber maintains his innocence. "I didn't lie to the grand jury," Webber said in a brief appear- ance before reporters at Arco Arena in Sacramento yesterday. Webber, who had just finished practicing at the Kings' facility, said he was speaking out because he wanted to show his supporters that he is not running away from the situation. The indictment claims that Webber, his father and his aunt deliberately misled the grand jury by conspiring to conceal the cash, checks, clothing, jewelry and other gifts that Martin allegedly gave to Webber between 1988 and 1993. Each of the three defendants could face up to 10 years in prison and $500,000 in fines. Ballot propos When Martin pleaded guilty May 28 to conspiring to laun- der money from his illegal gambling ring in Detroit, he admitted in court that he gave Webber and his family $280,000 - a statement that Webber vehemently denied. "I didn't get cars; I didn't get nothing," Webber told The New York Times Monday night. "I got $20 here and there, a lot of times. I'll be honest, it happened a lot. And that shouldn't diminish the seriousness of it. "Come on. I did not take $260,000 or $280,000. I did not take $100,000. I did not take tens of thousands of dollars." Martin's indictment also claimed that three other former Michigan basketball players were given loans: $160,000 to New Orleans Hornets forward Robert Traylor, $105,000 to Houston Rockets forward Maurice Taylor and $71,000 Louis Bullock, who is now playing professionally in Europe. Jason Rose, a teammate of Webber's at Michigan has also admitted publicly to taking "pocket money" from Martin. al eliminates it guilt "I didn't lie," Webber told USA' night. "The truth always comes out. W a 70-year-old man dressed in hip-hopc kids and said he loved kids, and I believ Fifteen people already have been guilty since the investigation of Martin The only other defendant in the Mar with lying to the grand jury, Clarence Aug.20 to two years of probation and a No arrest warrant was issued for W ties expect him to surrender within a w Gina Balaya, a spokeswoman fo Office in Detroit, could not give a beginning of Webber's trial, but she arraigned, pretrial motions couldF date in court until next year. The Sacramento Kings have not com against Webber. The National Basketba Cooling off despite charges TODAY late Monday written statement: "We will have no comment at this time, but hat this case is about is we will continue to monitor this situation throughout the clothes who befriended entire process." ved him." This is not Webber's first run-in with the law. In 2000, he charged and pleaded was charged with speeding and reckless driving on Interstate 's gambling ring began. 80. Don Heller, the attorney that successfully defended Web- tin case to be charged ber against those charges, said Webber's case could result in a Malvo, was sentenced number of different outcomes. $2,000 fine. "He could be innocent. A celebrity can be wrongly ebber because authori- accused," Heller told the Sacramento Bee. "There is a lot of eek to 10 days. exposure (to Webber) and that could be really tragic. r the U.S. Attorney's "Typically, these federal cases mean custody time. ... The specific date for the penalty time could be severe if the obstruction charges stick." said once Webber is Ed Martin, who will be sentenced Oct. 8, faces 30 to potentially delay his 37 months in prison. However, his plea agreement with tle government would allow for a reduced sentence if he amented on the charges reveals all the details of his dealing with former Michi- ill Association said in a gan basketball players. Candles scholarships if approved By Louie Meiziish Daily Staff Reporter A ballot proposal that could poten- tially endanger the $2,500 merit scholarships given to in-state stu- dents was expected to be certified for the Nov. 5 ballot yesterday after a ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court. Proposal 02-4, spearheaded by the group Citizens for a Healthy Michi- gan, would redirect 90 percent of the state's annual income from its tobac- co settlement to health care and smoking prevention efforts. Current- ly, the estimated $300 million annu- ally is spent on a variety of spending programs, among them the state's MEAP Merit Award. The scholarships are given to stu- dents who pass a series of academic assessment tests in high school. Roger Martin, a spokesman for the pro-proposal group praised the court's ruling and refuted allegations by opponents that passage of the pro- posal would mean an end to the scholarship program after this year. Opponents also say it would result in the cancellation of any scholarship monies due after Dec. 31, 2002. "The Michigan state budget is now about $9.4 billion," Martin said. "Certainly if the Legislature and gov- ernor (John Engler) want to fund it in the budget they can do it." Opponents of the proposal say pas- sage will in fact end the scholar- ships, considering that the tobacco settlement is the current source of the scholarship's funding and the state is expected to encounter a budget deficit for the next few years. Two hundred and fifty thousand "ninth, 10th and 11 th graders who now qualify for the merit scholarship won't get their scholarship" if the proposal passes, said state Sen. John Schwarz (R-Battle Creek) who chairs the opposing group, People Protect- ing Kids and the Constitution. "No doubt it's gone." Martin, however, said state law- makers could find a way to pay for it. Referring to events of early 2001, he said, "These are the same people who just gave themselves a 40 per- cent pay raise, so they can certainly find the money for the scholarships." The two sides dispute the original intent of the lawsuit. Supporters of the ballot proposal say settlement dollars were originally intended to go to smoking prevention programs and health care costs, while opponents say the money was to recoup past state spending in those areas and could go to any program. In issuing its ruling, the state's high court rejected a request for a stay and appeal of a state Court of Appeals opinion requiring the Board of State Canvassers to place it on the ballot, the Supreme Court said. The canvassers were expected to certify the proposal last night. Other proposals on the ballot include a referendum on a bill elimi- nating straight party voting, approval of a $1 billion sewer bond and a con- stitutional amendment to allow state of Michigan employees to collective- ly bargain. for vigil funded by MSA' U New MSA committee will advise on campus parking issues a By Carmen Johnson For the Daily 4-' FRAN K PAYNE/Daily LSA sophomore Rachel Lovis relaxes next to the Cooley Fountain between the Burton Tower and Michigan League yesterday. STUDENTS LAY DOWN FOR BED-IN Pro-choice group promotes safe sex tactics and usage By Jennifer Misthal Daily Staff Reporter "Chocolate, condoms. If you're not prepared you might get caught with your pants down," Elizabeth Mahaffy, an RC senior and co-chair of Students for Choice Vox, yelled across the Diag over loud music yes- terday afternoon. Three beds and fliers covered the Diag as Mahaffy screamed and dis- tributed condoms as part of the Stu- dents for Choice Vox's first Celebrating Responsible Sexuality: Bed-In on the Diag. The beds were meant to encourage people to bring their private, "bed- room" issues into the public, co- chair Clair Morrissey, LSA junior said. The Diag is the most public place on campus,,she added. The beds also served as an allusion to John Lennon and Yoko Ono's famous bed-ins more than 30 years ago. "The beds are really important to the notion of speaking about private life in public," Morrissey said. "It needs to be done. "A lot of times sexuality or repro- ductive health issues aren't talked about. It's OK to enjoy being a sexu- al person. We want to encourage people to take control of their sex life and empower them." One of the event's goals was to empower students and inform them about their contraceptive options and sexual health, she added. Students could participate in two sexually educational games sexu- al trivia and dildo dressing. The games educated students about infor- mation regarding the historic lawsuit Roe v. Wade, which legalized abor- tion, as well as the names of impor- tant women's rights activists and how to properly put on a condom. Prizes included water bottles filled with condoms. "It's about feeling comfortable," Morrissey said. "We're advertising responsible, safe sex." LSA sophomore Mark Wadley said he agreed with the group's over- all messages but their tactics, includ- ing the condom race, were too much for his taste. "It was a bit too much for the typi- cal Michigan student," Wadley said. "It's a bit disturbing. It's not informa- tive on what they're trying to convey." Mahaffy said, "We're passing out information about our group and try- ing to register voters. ... We wanted it at the beginning of the year because this is when a lot of people get involved." Some students, including LSA sophomore John Burke said he sup- ported the group's approach to safe sex. "It's their right to hand out in the Diag" Burke said. "If it's something (Students for Choice) believe in, it's a good way to do it." The group also wants students to start off their year with a healthy start, LSA senior Vera Slywynsky said. To commemorate the anniversary of the terrorist attacks, MSA passed a proposal last night to provide $1,000 for the funding of can- dles to be distrib- uted at tonight's vigil. MSA President Sarah Boot, who ~> expects about 5,000 students to attend the vigil, wants it to be a p o w e r f l Boot reminder of the tragedy. "The candles will create a solemn and respectful atmosphere at thi vigil and make a powerful moment of silence. We want to bring the campus together," Boot said. Offering a voice to the student body, MSA recruited several student organizations and volunteers to par- ticipate in tonight's event. "While the can- dles will represent something differ- ent for everyone, every one will leave with a good feeling. We are hoping for a good Glassel turn out," MSA Treasurer Liz Mul- lane said. Boot said, "The role of MSA is to be the moderator for the event with the help of many volunteers." Also passed at last night's meet- ing was a proposal to create the transportation taskforce. The com- mittee will deal with campus park- ing issues, push for increased transportation availability around the Rock, located on the corner of Hill Street and Washtenaw Avenue, advertise the Bursley Late Night Ride and work to provide an airport shuttle to Detroit Metro Airport at zero or low cost. North Campus Affairs Chair Elliot Wells-Reid expects the airport shuttle to be permanent by Thanks- giving. "The problem before was no- shows. With students registering online and putting down a deposit to reserve their seat on the airbus, this won't be a problem anymore," Wells-Reid said. At next week's meeting the pro- posed tobacco settlement ballot and ways to encourage students to regis- ter will be discussed. a0 TOM FELDKAMP/Daily Ann Arbor resident Kevin Kandrick passes out condoms from a bed on the Diag yesterday during the first ever Celebrating Responsible Sexuality bed-in. Coleman begins interaction with students oleil 1l lli By Tyler Boersen and Megan Hayes Daily Staff Reporters One year ago, terrorist attacks brought together the University community in an unprecedented gathering of students with one voice, asking the questions that needed to be asked and offering answers when some- one knew how. " ... We are again staggered by the shock and the grief of losing so many, including 18 Michigan alum- ni," President Mary Sue Coleman wrote in an e-mail sent early this morning to the University community. want to meet her before getting into politics," said Law student Pierce Beckham. "It is important that adminis- trators have a face." Members of student groups attended the reception in hopes of opening a dialogue. "I didn't come here with the idea that I'd have any meaningful time with her," LSA senior Veved Jona said. "Just to say the words to her gives her the idea that we're here and we're part of the campus." As a member of the Michigan Student Assembly women's issues commission, Jona spoke to Coleman about her status as the first female president of the Uni- versity, and the hope that brings to women's rights groups on campus to get her voice out." Mayer is the executive director of Dance Marathon. q Members of The Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action and Integration and Fight for Equality By Any Means Necessary capitalized on this first opportunity to speak with Coleman about the admissions lawsuits currently under consideration for argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. "Playing an out-front and political role defending affirmative action is extremely important," BAMN organizer Luke Massey said. When asked what impact he believes Coleman will have in regards to the cases, he said, "we'll see."