Daily Photo by DEBORAH LEWIS
Sally Liuzzo Lawers, Sue Liuzzo, Tony Liuzzo and attorney Dean Robb answer questions at a press conference following the announcement of Judge Charles
Joiner's decision.
Liuzzos lose lawsuit, will
By GEORGEA KOVANIS
Almost two months of waiting ended
' last Friday when a U.S. federal judge in
Ann Arbor ruled against the family of a
civil rights worker slain 18 years ago.
Judge Charles Joiner ruled that the
U.S. government was not, in any way
responsible for the death of Viola Liuz-
zo, a 39-year-old woman who drove her
family's car from Detroit to Alabama
to participate in the 1965 Selma to Mon-
tgomery Voting Rights March.
SHE WAS gunned down on deserted
U.S. Highway 80 near Selma, Ala.
transporting a black worker back to
Selma after the march.
The fatal shots were fired from a car
carrying three KuKlux Klansmen and
FBI informant Gary Thomas Rowe,
'We're shocked by this opinion ... it's an in-
credible lack of facing the truth in this
case!' -Dean Robb
Chief counsel for
the Liuzzo family
who had been hired by the government FBI was ultimately responsible for
to monitor Klan activities by in- their mother's death.
filtrating the organization. Joiner's decision in favor -_of the
Liuzzo's five children contended in a government came as a bitter surprise
$2 million lawsuit that the FBI was to the Liuzzos and their attorneys, who
negligent in hiring Rowe as an infor- had even gone as far as to prepare a
mant when they knew he possessed a victory statement. "It's terrible," said
violent temper. Dean Robb, chief counsel for the Liuz-
LIUZZO'S FIVE children believe the zos immediately after skimming the 16-
NCAA STILL PUSHING FOR CONTROL
appeal
page ruling.
". The plaintiffs have failed to
prove by a preponderance of evidence
that the United States is liable ..."
Joiner's decision said.
"ANN ROBERTSON (chief counsel
for the government) and the gover-
nment attorneys couldn't have written
the decision better," Robb said at a
press conference.
"We're shocked by this opinion. We
think it's an incredible lack of facing
the truth in this case," Robb commen-
ted.
However, Robertson, now retired
from government services and in
private practice in Birmingham, Ala.
See JUDGE, Page 16
'U' awaits TV contract ruling
By CHERYL BAACKE
A legal challenge to the National Collegiate Athletic
Association's right to control television contracts could
double the Univeristy's revenues from televised football
games, athletic director Don Canham said this week.
The Universities of Georgia and Oklahoma sued the NCAA
in 1981 on grounds that its strict control over the signing of
television contracts violates anti-trust laws.
THE NCAA has negotiated television contracts for all of
its members for 32 years. The organization places strict
limits on how many times a team can appear on television
and on how much money each member can earn for each ap-
pearance.
The restrictions are designed to raise revenues for smaller
members which do not have the marketing power of schools
like the University. But many major colleges say the rest-
rictions illegally cut into revenues which are rightfully
etheirs.
A judge recently ruled against the NCAA in the court battle
between the two large schools and the association.
THE NCAA appealed the decision, but the U.S. Court of
Appeals in Denver upheld the original ruling. The case,
however, was sent back to the original judge for clarification
of some points.
If the ruling is upheld and the NCAA does not regain the
total control over negotiations it previously had, many
colleges will probably join other bargaining units, Canham
said.
One such unit would be the 61-member College Football
Association which was formed by schools with powerful
football programs. The association, which both Georgia and
Oklahoma belong to has frequently disputed the NCAA's
right to control contract negotiations.
DEPENDING ON the judge's final decision, however, the
NCAA could remain a bargaining unit for some schools, he
said.
Should the NCAA be found in violation of anti-trust laws,
the University would probably bargain with the other Big 10
conference schools.
This arrangement could prove quite profitable to the
University, but not so advantageous for college football,
Canham said. "It would be good for Michigan, but not for
college sports," he said.
LAST YEAR, said Canham, the Big 10 received $7 million
from television contracts, which was divided equally among
member schools. That figure could vault to $14 million in a
few years if the conference is able to negotiate independently
See 'U', Page 11
Canham
. .supports NCAA control