One hundred four years of editorialfreedom ummer Weekly Wednesday May 31, 1995 a, Judge may dismiss charges against Baker m Staff and Wire Reports nocence is "totally unrelated" to the decision to It now appears Cohn may dismiss all "So what is there in these words that would Federal Judge Avern Cohn said Friday suspend him. charges against Baker. express a threat of serious bodily harm?" Cohn 'the court is very skeptical" of the "That is for the courts to decide," Harrison During the hearing on Friday, Cohn ques- said. overnment's case against Jake Baker, a said. "We are very confident that we have acted tioned assistant U.S Attorney Christopher P. Messages Baker wrote to a correspondent Former University student suspended last responsibly." Yates repeatedly on the content of Baker's calling himself Arthur Gonda were introduced lanuary for Internet activity. Baker was held and denied bail by U.S. posted messages. by Yates to illustrate the scope of Baker's University President James J. Duderstadt Magistrate Judge Thomas A. Carlson, who felt "What if I was walking down the street and threats. ased his authority under Regents' Bylaw 2.01 he was a threat to society. I said to my law clerk, 'Stuart, I'd really like to Cohn, however, said that without knowing to suspend Baker, who was arrested later by After more than a month behind bars, Cohn 'f' that broad.' Would that be a threat?" Cohn who Gonda was or his state of mind, it would be FBI agents. released Baker on $10,000 bond based on a asked. impossible to put the conversation in context. Vice President for University Relations psychological evaluation that deemed Baker Yates admitted the statement was "prob- "Arthur Gonda could bea 12-year-old boy or an Baker alter Harrison sald Baker's legal guilt or in- harmless, ably not" a threat. SEE BAKEy, PAGE 2 _ Jur se uestering o pens rapist trial JONATHAN LURIE/daly Hot wheels Engineering junior and driver Grace Chan works on the Solar Car yesterday. The Solar Car team is getting ready to race In Sunrace '95. 'U'may win $ 9M funding increease fom Lansing By Frank C. Lee Daily Staff Reporter Jury selection neared completion yesterday in the highly publicized rape and murder trial of Ervin Dewain Mitchell Jr. Charged with three counts of first-de- - gree criminal sexual conduct and one count of attempted murder, Mitchell, 33, has main- tained that he is innocent. Opening statements are scheduled to begin this morn- ing. The trial is expected to take three weeks. The sexual assaults oc- curred during a two-year period and included an alleged attack Mitchell on a University student and the alleged murder of a University employee. First-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole. Washtenaw County Circuit Court Judge Donald Shelton announced last Tuesday that the 12 jurors and four alternates selected will be sequestered at a local hotel under the supervision of the court and the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department when the trial is not in session. Jury selection began yester- day morning when 65 possible jurors packed into a courtroom. A potential 165 witnesses could be called to take the stand including civilians, members of the Ann Arbor Police Department, Michigan State po- lice officers, DNA lab technicians, medical wit- nesses and members of the University's Depart- ment of Public Safety. Shelton, who is presiding over the trial of the accused Ann Arbor serial rapist, said he has ordered several measures to ensure a swift and orderly trial. He issued a gag order in March prohibiting police, attorneys and witnesses involved with the case from talking to the press. The judge also moved up the trial date six weeks despite the defense's pro- tests. The judge issued a decorum order Thursday setting rigid guidelines for spectators. The order subjects spectators to daily security checks before entering the courtroom. No one is allowed to enter or leave the courtroom during testimony. Still pho- tographers will be restricted to a designated area, and no photos of jurors will be allowed. Anyone SEE MITCHELL, PAGE 2 By James Nash Daily Staff Reporter The University is in line for a $9 million handout under a plan headed for the state Senate this eek, following a period of in- se lobbying. The increase, to be drawn from an $18.8 million pot desig- nated for infrastructure and tech- nology, will have little or no bear- ing on tuition, University offi- cials said. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the funds last Thursday. "If this increase were in the *se appropriation, it would be a lot easier for us to handle tuition, Extra Funding? said Vice President for Univer- taF nig sity Relations Walter Harrison. $18.8 million may be left over "On the other hand, this is begin- from thin year. A Senate plan ning to look like the best deal we would split it among the states can et."colleges thin way: - can get.''"kad Under a funding package Oakland proposed by Gov. John Engler Unirersity: and endorsed by the House, the Michigan: University would receive a 3- $9 mon percent increase in base appro- priations. That would bring the institution's total state outlay toWayE $279.7 million, or $8,132 per 7 4'tte e mEa: student. Michian $4milin ichigan: steden..$1 million A Republican senator, up- $ set over the University's policy SEE FUNDING, PAGE 2 JONATHAN BERNDT/Daily B-ball coach faced probation bation at the end of the academic year. U layers omplane a Roberson's disposition stated that Roberts Roberts' attitude toward team could have "no further problems with some of the complaints from some student athletes and from By Nicholas J. Cotsonika parents, and that those would be addressed, and that Daily Sports Editor the academic concerns of the team would be more Michigan women's basketball coach Trish Rob- closely monitored." erts was put on probation midway through the 1994- Former Wolverine Tannisha Stevens and her 95 season after repeated complaints about her con- parents filed a lawsuit against Roberts and the Uni- duct toward players and her attitude toward academ- versity in November 1994, claiming that Roberts ics, according to published reports. harrassed her and forced her to leave theteam due Testimony given by Michigan Athletic Director toa disability. Joe Roberson followed lawsuits filed against Rob- Stevens lost sight in her left eye after she was hit erts and the University. Roberts was taken off of pro- SEE ROBERM, PAGE 7 Sports: Softball eliminated from Series/ 12 Arts: Mel Gibson looks good in a kilt in 'Braveheart'/8