Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 6, 1981)
page 2 daily nebraskan friday, march 6, 1981 Attorney: Scientific cases need new approach By D. Eric Kirchcr An explosion of science and technology-related in formation created a need for change in the law profes sion and courtroom practices, a New York attorney said. Milton Wessel, an author who also teaches at Columbia and Duke universities, told students at the UNL College of Law's Cline-Williams Lectureship he was here to re cruit them into a new branch of law. Technological cases requires a new approach to law, Wessel said. In complex technological cases after World War II, juries haven't understood the evidence, he said. They tend to reach verdicts using collateral evidence damaging evi dence that isn't related to the case. "I'm convinced that this is the next generation's opportunity to debate the issues," Wessel said. "There are some exciting, rewarding and important tilings to be done." "We need to avoid the production of collateral evi dence," Wessel said, lie cited the Ford Pinto trial, the Kodak-Berkcy trial and the Corvair-Nader case as times when outside evidence swayed people's opinion. In some cases, lawyers perjured themselves, and the jury seized the perjury as evidence of guilt, he said. (ieneral Motors stopped producing the Corvair because of adverse public opinion "when it was the safest compact ivi-nth m lvkv German SbLtcnoN Sdccbon 'Selection PicspoiicrCiohltrojifcbcn ine Lesson-of-the-Week Qi What ;s the :t:er ;e Lb wee.-. ?iesp.::trsV 7s J.i. Fiespcite: ". j t r c p f cher. is the top of the lire cf I-: exporters and is considered the very best of the creat wines of i :e. . : Gernany. is r.e p:te: 1 .-.'.if ser vec what fc.-j :t ccr pi er.t V t.sh, white r eat or hy itselt "Sr Print '.td of Gt "'.'.i'.'l j "?. -"J .'.. : ' ' r , .1'.'f,v 'M . iEUSS MS V N jj no r ; 5 Call for a free quote. It's protection you need. RESS INSURANCE 600 SOUTH 12th STREET LINCOLN. NEBRASKA 68508 Phone: 477-3936 Also: All-risk auto, mobile home; home owners & renters. ft? 13230!!!: car," Wessel said. The "sporting or game" approach to law encourages lawyers to use any method to win cases, including using or producing unrelated but damaging evidence, he said. Large firms employ outside lawyers to defend them, he said, and although many aren't familiar with the business' technology, they are expected to win the case. "We need a change in the techniques employed by law yers on behalf of clients," Wessel said. Wessel, who has been involved in the Agent Orange case involving deadly deFolaint used in Vietnam, and sev eral nuclear power trials, said law must be developed to allow safe use of new technologies. "It is a simplistic approach to just say 'stop it' or argue for no growth," Wessel said. Cases arc beginning to be argued on a risk-benefit basis, which will allow society to weigh safety against risks of new technology, he said. "It seems to me it's the only sensible way to solve the problems," Wessel said. Legislatures should decide the amount of risk to accept, he said, but the courts now decide. Until legis lators act, courts must, he said. Wessel was the fifth lecturer sponsored by a Lincoln law firm to speak at the UNL College of Law. Chemical fire forces evacuation A small chemical fire that created toxic fumes and forced the temporary closing of Manter Mall Life Sciences building and Hamilton Hall was apparently a freak acci dent, according to a UNL chemistry professor. Henry Baumgarten said a piece of equipment broke, allowing two toxic chemicals to come in contact with either the air outside the container, or the heating, ele ment under the glass vessel, causing the fire. Students in the room put the fire out immediately Hamilton and Manter Halls, forcing an evacuation. Interim Chancellor Robert Rutford said he had not seen official reports of the fire, but would investigate. Baumgarten said authorities were notified promptly, but acknowledged that some students didn't evacuate with a fire extinguisher. gZjitettainment ! G.E. 12" Diagonal Black & White TV i Hujlastmq 1 00ut. solid stato Sanrl " ( ahinet & easy car ry handle ffl ill (2 CHARGE IT Goodyear Car Card Installment Pay Plan Visa American Express Carte Blanche MasterCard Diners Club Model 0111 " SQUROESIGN 5" Diagonal RlarU ft Ulttlts Til . E2S AMFfil Radio i both mclu ) optional battery pack & 9 D batteries SALE ENDS SATURDAY GOODpYEAR SERVICE STORES ED BENSON MGR. 1918 "0" 476-6521 OPEN WEEKDAYS 7:30-6:00 SAT. 7:30-5:00 DOUG CONDON MGR. 6800 "0" 476-2555 Now Accepting Applications for the Position of 1981-1982 Advertising Director. It's not easy, but you'll gain rewarding experience in organizing and leading a department of over 15 persons. This is an eleven month position commensurate with University holidays and with one month off during the summer. Ad vertising and Marketing majors are esp ecially encouraged to apply. Applicants should be familiar with the Guidelines for the Student Press adopted by the Board of Regents, and copies will be made available at the Daily Nebras kan. Applications should be returned to the Daily Nebraskan, Room 34, Nebras ka Union. Application deadline is Mon day, March 9, at noon. "Some had experiments going and didn't even hear the fire alarm," he said. However, Lt. Joe Wehner of the UNL police depart ment said some students were reluctant to evacuate when fire and police officials searched the building. "We have a difficult time getting people to leave," he said. However, he added that it was "not a majority, but a minority" that were uncooperative. Two students in the room when the fire broke out, Janishid Mohebalian, 2222 Vine St., and Ren J. Ko, 923 S. 12th St., were sent to the student health center for ob servation, but Baumgarten said they were uninjured. KRNU may expand transmission power Because of a Federal Communications Commission consideration to make maximum use of all frequency, UNL's student radio station has made a proposal to ex pand its signal. KRNU, which currently operates out of Avery Hall with 10 watts, may expand to a 3,000 wat service, similar to KVNO at UNO. Larry Walklin, chairman of broadcasting for the UNL School of Journalism, said the change will not affect any part of the existing station, but it will involve replacing parts in the transmitter. "As long as I have been involved in radio," Walklin said, "there has always been talk of expanding or improv ing transmission. But tliis situation has never been discuss ed for KRNU before." The 3,000 watt change will allow the station to be heard throughout Lincoln. As it is now, the station can be picked up only on the City Campus. "The height of the tower and the line of sight will be a factor in exactly how far it will go," Walklin said. "But what we are trying for is a strong signal in the city." In a comparison of watt frequency, Walklin said the 3,000 watt signal is not to be considered a change to high power when other stations have 100,000 watt frequency. No one is certain when the change will occur, Walklin said. "The FCC is very understaffed, and this would have to meet their approval," Walklin said. "Once we had a trans mission replacement through them that should have taken a short time to start, but we waited a year for them to get back to us. It would take a series of decisions by several people to come out with a final ruling." fc- - m iiimi. mi -iini 'T ii "III Kimr fe CAESAR'S PIZZA i ? Now has 3 locations to serve you! i) a B. 17th & South 474-3355 5, g 48th & Van Dorn 483-7686 S tr in ui uui i ii ludiscri tu 'sj-t i u i rree, fast, hot deli verv m opgm wmen NEW EARLY HOURS 1 ! Open Harvest is a not-for-profit whole foods cooperative open to all Hours Sat gr - c; 3" v 1 t