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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 6, 1994)
Arraignment Continued from Page 1 would more likely press for a trial in early spring. But either way, he said, he was prepared to go at any time. A motion to quash challenges possible defects of the indictment. Bartle dismissed the suggestion that the strong show of police sup port might make his assignment difficult, or regrettable. “I simply have a job to do,” he said. “I take no pleasure in it. I am moved by that (police support) as a .citizen of Lincoln.” But the police presence in the courtroom was not simply a show of support, said Sgt. James Spanel, Secretary/Treasurer of the Lincoln Police Union. It was also a picture of bewilderment, he said. Spanel said it was impossible to make a forceful arrest, such as that of Renteria, without taking action that could be labeled as assault. “You just as well indict all of us (police officers),” he said. “Because it’s not something we haven’t done before.” The officers were indicted on “frivolous charges that some spe cial interest groups thought had to be brought down,” he said. Spanel would not comment on what groups he was referring to. “Ever since the Rodney King incident occurred, there have been people in the city of Lincoln look ing for their own Rodney King inci dent,” Spanel said. With the indictments, he said, they have found it. ‘‘They’ve got their pound of flesh,” he said. Spanel said he was upset the city would not pay legal fees for the indicted city employees. The local union will raise money to help Casady and the officers involved, he said. Casady has requested adminis trative leave. Wilke and Schellpeper have been reassigned to adminis trative duty since the incident.. Lincoln Fire Chief Mike Merwick said after the hearings that “this is a learning experience for the whole department.” Rick Wade, Wright’s lawyer, said Endacott had given the defen dants 14 days to file any additional preliminary motions. Wade said he had filed a motion to quash the indictment but temporarily with drew it after learning of the exten sion. Wade said lawyers might also file for a demurrer, or dismissal, asserting that the evidence does not support the charges. Wright was indicted for official misconduct in failing to render im mediate aid to Renteria and for en tering false information into public record. Wade said he would file a mo tion to quash the indictments be Travis Hsying/DN the arraignment of throo A crowd gathers outside tho courtroom as people line up to see Lincoln police officers. cause the firefighter’s protocol in such situations wasn’t definite. Firefighters fill out a primary assessment of the situation based on information they receive on the scene, he said, and sometimes have to estimate the victim’s condition. Merwick said that when Wright arrived on the scene, Renteria was already in the back of a police cruiser. Officers had placed Renteria face down in a restraint position. Merwick said an officer told Wright that a physical struggle had occurred and that Renteria might be intoxicated. Because of the nature of the inci dent, Wade said, Wright did not perfonn a secondary assessment. Wright believed it was in the best interest of the firefighter crew to leave Renteria handcuffed in the back of the cruiser, Wade said. Wade said he assumed the para medics preformed the secondary assessment when they arrived five minutes later. Menawhile, a separate federal investigation, looking into possible civil rights violations, continues. New housing policy may ban smoking in rooms By Catherine Blalock Staff Reporter UNL residence halls may soon join other university buildings that have gone smoke-free. Michael Hager, assistant direc tor of university housing, said his office had recognized smoking in halls as a problem. Right now, how ever, he said he had no plans to deal with smoking. The university banned smoking in all university buildings and uni versity vehicles in August 1993. Smoking is allowed in some areas of Memorial Stadium. Other busi nesses, restaurants and apartment complexes did the same. Hager said the housing depart ment would be talking with resi dents and the Residence Hall Asso ciation to find ideas. Residents already have given housing officials suggestions for a new policy, Hager said. Options include banning smoking, placing all smokers on the same floor or placing them on the top floors of halls, installing air purifiers or keep ing the current policy. The current smoking policy in the halls is that students may only smoke in rooms where both resi dents allow it, Hager said. If students want to be able to smoke in their rooms, they can state that on their housing application. The housing department then places them in a room with another smoker or in a private room. Housing officials have dealt with complaints about cigarette smoke drifting into nonsmokers’ rooms, Hager said. Students are usually able to work the problem out, Hager said. There have been less than ten serious complaints, he said. Hager said a smoking policy would be on the top of RHA’s list for next semester. The new policy will be developed by August 1995, he said. Every Wednesday 25<t draws & , $2.00 pitchers from 9-llpm. 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