Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 29, 1969)
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1969 PAGE 4 THE DAILY NEBRASKAN 1 . 1 .1 -I if t .1 5 Former Nebraskan Abbott convicted on draft charge by Jim Pedersen Staff Writer Stephen Abbott, former University of Nebraska student, was convicted Jan. 10 on the federal felony of refusing to step forward for induction into the U.S. Army. In a separate ruling based on Abbott's defense, U.S. District Judge Robert Van Pelt ruled that there was basis in fact for the decision of Selective Service Board No. 58 which denied Abbott classification as conscientious objector. ABBOTT HAS since filed a motion in U.S. Steve Abbott District Court requesting a new trial. If his motion Is denied, Judge Van Pelt will pass sentence. Abbott has said he then will appeal the decision of the court to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals "in St. Louis, Mo. and to the Supreme Court if necessary. ' '" Abbott has returned to Atlanta, Ga., where " he is a graduate student in English at Emory University. He remains free on $500 bond posted ""'after he was indicted for failure to step forward . in October of 1967. "I refused induction because it is against my conscience to serve in the military service," Abbott testified, "and because I feel that my induction was illegal since the local draft board refused "" to classify me 1-0 (conscientious objector)." THE CONVICTION was a special dissap- pointment to Abbott's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Abbitt of 2625 Scott Ave. 1 "He had such a good defense and so much sup- ; port," she added, "that we expected him to be - acquitted even though there was the possibility Z of conviction." In the trial Abott's attorney, Peter Rindskopf : of Atlanta, Ga., hinted that both the local board and the Nebraska Selective Service Appeal Board were prejudiced against Abbott because he was Roman Catholic, not one of the traditional "peace " churches" which sponsor many conscientious ob- lectors. "THE STATE appeal board first contended that Steve could not be granted a 1-0 classification "Z because he was not a member of one of the 'peace " churches,"' Mrs. Abbott said. "It was not until "Jitney had been approached by ministers from several different churches that they changed their tactics and declared he was insincere." JLX.. In testimony before the court, Nate Holman, """Chairman of the state appeal board, said that "there couldn't be fewer than 100 Catholics who have appealed for 1-0 classification and in more cases TTlhan not they were granted such classification." Abbott appealed his classification to the state aboard twice. On both occasions he sought -classification as conscientious objector. ZT On the first occasion the state board overruled rthe local board which had given him a I-A classification, and, since he was teaching high . . school, awarded Abbott a II-A deferment. "T Abbott maintained that deferment until June, -w-I967, when he was reclassified I-A. He again ap pealed to the state board, but this time the board confirmed the I-A classification. HE WAS preparing to appeal for an FBI hear ing to prove his sincerity in seeking 1-0 classifica tion when Congress passed a new Selective Service law barring such hearings for conscientious objector applicants. Rindskopf, in filing for a new trial, said that Abbott was denied due process and equal protection by not being given a hearing before impartial of ficials on his claim to be a conscientious objector. According to Mr. Abbott, his son learned of the Presidential Appeals Board in Washington, D C. only after it was too late to appeal there on his own. THE STATE board in denying Abbott his appeal for a 1-0 classification for the second time, did so by a vote of 4-0. An individual cannot appeal to the Presidential Board if the state board's action is unanimous. However, the state Selective Service director can make the appeal directly to the Presidential Board for the individual. "Although we asked General Henniger, the state director, to make the appeal," Mr. Abbott said, "no action was taken. JUDGE VAN PELT admitted to both the defense and the prosecution that the testimony by members of the local board was so befuddled that he didn't know what the local board was driving at, Mr. Abbott added. "It was only after he recalled John L. Beau, a member of the board who testified that Steve was not sincere, that Judge Van Pelt handed down his ruling," he said. It took the judge over 45 minutes to read the Abbott file, according to Mr. Abbott. Yet the local board often handles 100 cases in a two hour period. "I think because Steve was a leader both at. the University of Nebraska and at Emory University and because he might influence other young men," Mr. Abbott added, "the authorities wanted to make an example of him." 19 NU tankers come from state Nebraska's swimming team appears to be definitely home-grown with 19 of 27 swimmers graduates of Ne braska high schools. Lincoln Southeast, where John Reta woa eight straight high school state champion ships, has provided four men, while Creighton Prep, Hast ings, Omaha Westside, Oma ha Benson and Lincoln High have sent two graduates each to NU. tminr&i mm wm (mm mffiiitb mm WSMMIMBaMHMMMHIHBaHHSiW "I IllfHllllISi lIllllMIIIIWllllll II Willi MlllHimil III HWIIi ill I llniiimWlTinfWI fffifi FlBIl I hWW 111 1 1 SMIM Ml 1111111111 4 ,JF . i low smau I f -" -'A sasimrnTMrBwii Tt1r X.aJLmy-'''--' r '.lrw$ifalffo 'jsgySLm. n n OVER 100 LATEST STYLES FOR THE FAMILY AS LOW AS CONVENIENT CREDIT TERMS Includes First-Quality Green Single-Vision Lenses and your choice from many frame styles. Doctor's Prescriptions Promptly Filled Qp&cal LINCOLN: ymZST UOTiere does a engineer intern ? 0 Before you decide on the job that's 'o start you on your professional career, it's good to ask a few point blank questions . . . like Will this job let me rub shoulders with engineers doing things that haven't been done before, in all phases of engineering? Will I be working for an engineering oriented management whose only standard Is excellence? Will I have access to experts in fields other than my own to help me solve problems and stimulate professional growth? Will I be working with the widest range of professional competence and technological facilities in the U. S.? Are engineering careers with this company stable ... or do they depend upon proposals and market fluctuations? Why not ask these questions about Bendix Kansas City when Mr. R. E. Cox visits the UBiversity of Ncbroska Feb. 5,6, 1969 Or you may write Mr. Cox at: Box 303-AE, Kansas City, Mo. 64131 PRIME CONTRACTOR FOR THE ATOMfC ENERGY COMMISSION AND AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Kansas City Division gaLma Vms unjvb; vitt ittF I Li Li SAV1 We Invite You To Visit Our mew Store TIME WW- We still have the books and supplies that you will nee br study and study aids. Check our wide selection. Cl-iOOl UNTIL 8 PJW. UN V SUNi TV r3 mon University Hfjercliaiulise dt cnicr : !