Lincoln crime scene seeing some action
Murder and mayhem
made the news in 1996-97,
but the city is still safe.
By Matthew Waite
Senior Reporter
Neil Young once sang “There’s still crime
in the city, but it’s good to be free.” And in the
1996-97 academic year, Daily Nebraskan read
ers got it all.
A nine-month investigation into crime in
the city found that while there is still crime, it
isn’t where people think it is. The Malone
neighborhood, contrary to popular belief, is a
low crime area.
And Riley Washington found that it is good
to be free — free from the weight of felony
charges. The former Husker was acquitted of
attempted second-degree murder.
Crime in the city of Lincoln continued at
its low and slow pace — the way its citizens
like it. Nebraska’s capital city remained one of
the lowest crime cities in the country, accord
ing to FBI statistics.
But there were times when police were busy,
and the courts were active. TTie year in crime
was marked by the arrest of a suspect in the
murder of a UNL freshman, the execution of a
child murderer and the flare-up and dying out
of a dispute in a north Lincoln neighborhood.
Lincoln police arrested Gregory Gabel on
June 25, 1996, for suspicion of the July 25,
1995, murder of Martina McMenamin.
Gabel was charged with first-degree mur
ier, and he is awaiting trial.
The arrest ended an investigation that lasted
exactly 11 months.
Another murder case that flared up was the
murder of Tamara Ligenza. Ligenza was killed
in her apartment on Sept. 7, 1993.
Prosecutors say Ligenza’s ex-boyfriend,
Clifford Davlin, got into her apartment,
strangled her, then set her apartment afire.
Davlin has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In yet another murder case, John Joubert
was executed in July for the 1983 killing of
wo boys in Sarpy County. Joubert’s execution
was the second in Nebraska in two years. Be
fore these two, Nebraska hadn’t executed any
one since 1959.
Other crimes, however, did not deal with
life-and-death matters.
. On 29th and Dudley streets, a fight between
neighbors turned into a 30-person street brawl
an March 19. Police in riot gear were called
Dut, but not used during the fight.
Three people were taken to the hospital, 11
were arrested in the whole series of events.
«
Crime in the city of Lincoln continued at its low
and slow pace — the way its citizens like it.”
Because of quick reactions by community
groups and a willingness to stop the violence
by the combatants, the tensions died down in a
matter of days.
A year-review of crime would be remiss
without mentioning the list of football players
— current and former — who wound up in the
back seat of a police cruiser at one time or an
other.
This year, Terrell Farley was arrested twice
for drunken driving, and got booted twice from
the football team and once from the NFL draft.
He is currently awaiting sentencing for failure
to comply with a lawful order and for his sec
ond DWI offense.
Lawrence Phillips was arrested for a dis
turbance at an Omaha hotel in March. That
arrest occurred days before his jailing on as
sault charges. He served 23 days and was taken
to St. Louis by his coach, Dick Vermeil.
Also serving time was Tyrone Williams, a
former Husker defensive back who went from
Super Bowl Champion with the Green Bay
Packers in January to Lancaster County Jail
inmate in February.
Also awaiting sentencing is Jon Vedral, a
former wingback, on drunken driving and as
sault charges, and Eric Alford, a former tight
end, on felony drug charges.
On a more positive note, a Daily Nebras
kan investigation into neighborhood crime rates
found that a Lincoln neighborhood long
thought to be high on crime was in fact a low
crime area.
Lincoln’s Malone neighborhood ranked no
higher than fifth when compared to eight other
core neighborhoods. All neighborhoods did not
have much crime, but Malone had even less
than areas previously perceived as being low
crime.
Depend On Us
For gifts
for the graduate.
Art department,
lower level...
Here’s Proof That A
Right Now Recent College Graduates Get $400 Off
Every New Dodge. In Addition To Most Other Current Offers *
Dodge Neon Coupe starts as low as
after $400 college grad
and $1,000 national
cash back**
Cab-forward design, dual airbags, 16-valve, 132-horsepower engine.
More standard power than Escort, Civic and Cavalier Coupe.
Dodge Dakota starts as low as
(ff f after H00
v’f f U-€\ college grad
M M j 7/ cash back**
($12,395 as shown) m \,
Sport Truck magazine’s ’97 “Sport Truck Of The Year.” More available
horsepower, torque, towing and payload than any compact pickup.
Don’t forget to ask about ’97 college graduate finance plans available
to eligible customers through Chrysler Credit. &
r he New Dodge
See The Friendly Dodge Dealer Near You
*Ask for eligibility requirements. Not available with certain other offers. **MSRPs after $400 College Graduate Cash Back
(and $1,000 national cash back on Neon). Includes destination. Excludes tax. Always wear your seat belt.
Visit our Web site at www.4adodge.com
