The Battalion
Vol. 71 No. 127 Monday, April 3, 1978 News Dept. 845-2611
10 Pages College Station, Texas Business Dept. 845-2611
/ "
Inside Monday:
City election results, p. 3.
Everything you’ve always wanted to
know about yell leader candidates,
p. 5.
A&M takes three games from Baylor,
Every sci-fi tidbit from around the universe seemed to be on display at the
Aggiecon Friday, keeping dealers and buyers busy during the convention.
Aggiecon lures fans
of all persuasions
By CHRIS PICCIONE
The Trekkies were here, the
pider-Man fans were here, even
)eople wearing buttons saying, “I’m
Friend of Darth Vadar” were here.
Jgiecon Nine brought these and
her science fiction and fantasy fens
ogether for a convention over the
weekend, March 30-April 2.
The word “con’’ itself means a get
ogether of fens to promote science
iction, said Stephen Poe, a member
>f a Texas A&M University science
iction organization called Crab
Nebula.
The Texas A&M Science-Fiction-
Fantasy committee, Cepheid Vari
able, hosts a con every year on
campus that has become known as
the Aggiecon.
Cons are held all over the world
out the nationally known Aggiecon
is one of the biggest in the South-
Iwest, Poe said.
Dealers (shop owners, bookstore
Ijowners, or science fiction collectors)
om all over the Southwest filled
he Memorial Student Center bal-
room Thursday through Sunday to
sell their wares. Some of the more
popular items for sale were old
comic books, Spiderman and the
Fly posters, and Farrah duck prints
(pictures of ducks with Farrah Faw
cetts’ face on them), buttons pro
moting Star Wars and science fiction
fan magazines (fanzines).
“We deal to support our habits
because we are collectors primar
ily,” said Louise Seguin, science fic-
tion dealer from San Antonio. “We
collector-dealers can’t afford large
cons. As it is we spend all our profit
buying things while we re here.”
Seguin paid $27 to set up three
tables of Star Wars paraphernalia.
Other cons run by private individu
als are more expensive. D-con in
Dallas costs dealers $30 per table.
Seguin said she expected to make
about $300 at Aggiecon.
“Cons are fun, but they are an
awful lot of work,’’ Poe said.
This year Aggiecon included an
art display and contest, science fic
tion writers seminars, daytime and
nighttime films such as: “2001: A
Space Odyessey,” “Slaughterhouse-
Five,” and “Wizards in addition
to the dealers’ room. Aggiecon was
limited.to selling 2,500 tickets and
sold out both Friday and Saturday
nights. Two types of tickets were
sold. The four-day pass included
admission to everything, and a
single-day pass allowed admittance
into all the activities scheduled for
one specific day.
Although the dealers’ room was
crowded with members of the Aggie
“fandom” including fantasy buffs
dressed like knights and wizards,
one comic book dealer, Joel Simon,
said he didn’t sell as much as ex
pected because few children at
tended.
Joe Pumilia, guest author at Ag
giecon said, “I’ve come to six or
seven Aggiecons. As far as I can tell,
this is the best con for my business.”
Charges read today in
Coleman murder trial
By KAY WALLACE
Charges will be formally read today by
85th District Court Judge John M. Barron
Sr. to the five-man, seven-woman jury in
the murder trial of defendant Walter Joe
Coleman.
Coleman, 19, has pleaded “not guilty”
to charges of murder in the January 1977
shooting death of former Texas A&M Uni
versity instructor Lawrence T. Baugh.
The prosecution, represented by Dis
trict Attorney Roland M. Searcy and Assis
tant District Attorney Larry Gatlin, rested
their case for the state Friday.
A ballistics expert testified Thursday
that it was impossible to state conclusively
that the pistol recovered near Baugh’s
body fired the bullet that killed him.
Charles Kornegay, one of Coleman’s
co-workers at the International Furniture
Band selects
drum majors
for 1978-79
By MICHELLE SCUDDER
Three Texas Aggie Band juniors were
selected March 28 as drum majors for
1978-79.
Larry Haag of New Braunfels is Head
Drum Major, Mike McCartney of New
Braunfels is Artillery Drum Major, and
Connie Williford of Seagraves is Infantry
Drum Major.
The new drum majors will direct the
band for the first time during the Maroon
and White game April 22, and their first
outdoor performance will be the second
time around during Final Review, May 6.
During drum major tryouts March 27
and 28 each of the nine band members
that tried out directed the band in the
band hall, and led them through a drill on
the band drill field.
“The drum major candidates were
judged upon their physical and mechanical
abilities, character, leadership, and their
ability to give and take commands,” Lynn
Balinas, 1977-78 Artillery drum major
said.
During the ceremony March 28 when
the announcement was made, the incom
ing drum majors were presented with
their batons by the 1977-78 drum majors
and an item passed down to each new
drum major. In addition to his baton Haag
received a pair of red socks, McCartney a
pair of spurs, and Williford a belt buckle.
Drum majors’ responsibilities include
directing the band on the field, and each
week explaining the drills to the band and
seeing that it is executed, with the super
vision of the band director, said Lt. Col.
Joe T. Haney, Aggie band director.
Each drum major also is responsible for
charting one drill during the year, which is
subject to approval by the band director.
Bugle Rank, the 12 seniors that com
prise the lead rank in the band, for 1978-
79 will include: Doug Coats, Robert
Fields, Ron Greenwade, Dennis Hallaron,
Mike Jechow, Will McCarrell, Joe
Ramirez, Mark Rayfield, Lee Schockley,
Paul Shannon, Greg Slack, and Steve
Smith.
Company, said he testified Coleman had
approached him on Jan. 7, 1977 and asked
if Kornegay knew where he could buy a
gun. Kornegay said he told Coleman he
had one he wanted to sell. He said Cole
man said, “A guy owes me some money
and I don’t know what he’ll do.
Kornegay said on Jan. 12, 1977 at 7
p.m., Coleman called him at home and
excitedly said, “I really did it... I really did
it.’ Kornegay asked him what he did.
Coleman said, “You’ll read about it in the
papers,” and asked Kornegay to come pick
him up at a convenience store on Beck
Drive.
Kornegay said he drove to where Cole
man said he would be but did not see him.
He said he then heard Coleman call out to
him. He described Coleman as being pale,
shaking and nervous.
Kornegay said he drove Coleman to
Coleman’s girlfriend’s house between 7:30
and 7:45 p.m. He said he told Coleman he
did not ever want to hear from him again.
Kornegay s statement was presented as
state’s evidence. Defense attorneys Fred
Davis and Kent Caperton asked for a re
cess to review the statement.
The jury was dismissed and Davis called
College Station Dectective Bobby Yeager
back to the stand. Yeager testified he had
informed Davis and Caperton during their
investigation that the gun’s ownership had
been traced to a 1970 sale to a Houston
Texas Ranger. He said he did not tell
Davis or Caperton about Kornegay s
statement.
Davis argued that College Station police
had withheld evidence and that on those
grounds, a mistrial should be declared.
Judge Barron denied the motion on
grounds that “the purpose of this court is
to ascertain truth in this matter.”
The jury returned to the courtroom, and
the state rested its case.
Coleman’s former employer, former
roommate and former girlfriend were
called by Davis to testify. The three wit
nesses’ testimony coincided with Cole
man’s statement of his whereabouts before
and after Baugh’s death.
Davis called Dr. Vincent DiMaio, a
forensic pathologist from Dallas County,
to testify.
DiMaio concluded that circumstances in
Coleman’s statement about how the gun
was fired were consistent with the autopsy
report and type of pistol.
DiMaio said it was possible for a person
wielding a pistol like the one recovered to
hit someone with the barrel from behind
and have the gun fire as Coleman’s state
ment alleged.
In cross-examination, DiMaio said that
although consistent, the circumstances did
not necessarily have to happen as Cole
man’s statement described for the bullet to
have taken the path it did.
Coleman declined to take the stand as
Davis and Caperton rested the case for the
defense at 3:20 p. m.
Judge Barron ordered the jury to not
discuss the case and adjourned court until
9 a.m. today.
Student election ballot
STUDE NT Bum PHKSIDKNT
Bobljy Tiu-krr
]t*b Ufusarlinn
V.P. AUAPKMil Al- FAIRS
Mark Smith
Jim "J. C." Colton
Mike Wilson
yjp KXTFRNAI AKfrUBS
joe Beall
v. v. mnanc e:
James Law
Wayne Morrison
Paul Knudson
V. P. HU I S \M) KLCS.
Hich Bortltclson
Austin Sterling
V. P, SM PLM SI HMCKS
Judy Rippel
Kevin "Potsy” Patterson
STUDENT SLNATOHS
COLLEGE OF AGKICULTL KE (CHAD)
Candy DesRosiers
SENIOR
Johnny Lane
Leroy Startz
Terri Gorden
Jerry Risner
JUNIOR
Doug Nesmith
Sarah Lea HigHberg
Lu Harris
Candel Irigoyen
Carrell Moore
SOPHOMORE
Andy Holloway
Calvin Meyer
Ricky Fairchild
Robert (Rip) Van Winkle
Kathleen Miller
Linda Warinner
COLL. BUSINESS (GRAD)
open
SENIOR
Owen Massey
Stephen Greenwade
Michael Edwards
JUNIOR
George Black
Larry Manuel
SOPHOMORE
Sam Hawes
Brad Smith
Becky Graham
l)a\id M. Baker
Stott Giriker
' indy Harris
COL1 1 1H ( \ H<.V\ 'UHAP)
Mavis Rollins
SENIOR
Patty Johnson
(.'harles Restivo
JUNIOR
open
SOPHOMORE
open
COLL. \R< H. ■ A I-LARGE)
I «»,i\ Seardiiii>
Charles Stoviak
Roger Coonei'
COLL. ENGINE! Rl\< iCRAD)
Stc
SENIOR
Mike MeCuteheoi
Rich Westlake
Steve Hageman
JUNIOR
Joe Cano
Chris Glaeser
Frank Bovle
AT-LARGE
Jm, rlMHM.iS
LIBERAL ARTS (GRAD)
open
SENIOR
Rol) Poole
JUNIOR
Chuck Haynes
John T. Groce
SOPHOMORE
open
MOODY COLLEGE A l -LARGE
open
COLL. SCIENCE (AT-LARGE)
Darrel Westbrook
Edwin Grantham
l-i Di'li!..
Hi;, I ) ,,l
.this M MOL.
Ste,
Itmloll
lit,Ml
Mark
JUNIOR
Pete Greaves
Carlos Ortiz
Jetf Mason
Dan Layton
David Hagan
Paul A. Gulig
H..I. [mli nr
SOPHOMORE
Billy Jordan
George (Kish) Giles
Charlie Jumper
Danny WeinUtum
Da\id Mason Roger.
Steve Ward law
LaNelle Cross
Rov L. Wood
Eddie Cano
Kenneth F. McGuire
Mike Sullivan
Chris N. Hinds
kill EGER MOSHER
COLL. ENGINEERING
Kh/:ihoth ' Hartman
SOPHOMORE
Gail Jollv
Rob Lanham
Dara Flinn
Ted Etchison
AS 1 OV Dl VN l 1 AY
Jerry Glasow
Scan Riiilulpli
fa mi Steen
Eric Languid
AT-LARGE
Paul Bettencourt
Bruce (Fish) Hook
FOWLER
Jimmy Willett
Kathv Elder
Matt Henderson
Cheryl Kueherk.t
COLL. GEOSCIENCE
HAITI I.I.CEI 1 PI RYEAR
Paul lliggim
Bruce Russell
Billy And
WALTON/Mt UN MS; SGI l < AtN/HOTAHD
I'd Ramos
MOSES/MOORE/GROGK1.H DAVIS-CAK!
Jim Higgins
Scott Farthing
Boh McCradv
UN IN . APARTME N TS
open
OEK CAMPUS ((.HAD)
Inhn R. Kenneth
Lei sa Clinnh.
(See Students, page 3)
adets raise
$11,500 in March to
the Brazos
By MICHELLE SCUDDER
One thousand nine hundred pair of combat boots
marched west to the Brazos River Saturday as the Texas
\&M University Corps of Cadets participated in their sec-
and annual March to the Brazos to raise money for the
March of Dimes.
Their destination, a large open grassy field 6.3 miles west
pf campus seemed literally covered with cadets in their
green fatigue pants, dotted only by various bright colored
outfit T-shirts, as the cadets participated in competitive
events beneath sunshining skys.
The Corps gathered $11,500 in pledges which will be
presented to the March of Dimes April 13.
The 13-mile round trip walk began at 7:30 a.m. at the
Corps Quadrangle and ended where FM 60 crosses the
river at a large open field.
After reaching their destination at 9:30 a.m. the com
panies competed in three events: tug-of-war, three-legged
race, and army-stretcher race. Lunch was provided by
Duncan Dining Hall.
The corps will present first, second, and third place
guidoii streamers to companies that excelled in fund raising,
competitive events, and number of members who collected
pledges. The presentation will be made on Parents’ Day,
April 16.
Also on Parents’ Day, the Brazos Valley March of Dimes
will present the Battered Boot Award, a bronzed boot, to
the company that raised the most money.
Saturday’s March to the Brazos was nothing new for the Corps of Cadets, as this 1914 picture
shows. Back then, the Corps would spend the night on the banks of the river so that no one would
play April Fool’s Day pranks on campus. The present-day march, however, has another purpose:
“Three or four outfits collected over $500,” said Andy
Duffie, chairman of the March to the Brazos said. One
freshman in Company P-2 gathered $394 in pledges, Duffie
said.
The national March of Dimes officer in New York sent a
film crew to cover the event. The film will be to promote
fund raising through walkathons and other sponsored
events, said Ken Mallard, March of Dimes Chairman.
Duffie said the publicity Texas A&M and the Corps re
ceived was extensive. “We even made the front of the
Houston Post,” he said.
The exposure will help the Corps in recruiting freshmen
and reaching former students, Duffie said.
“During the spring we don’t have many Corps activities.
March to the Brazos is the major Corps event of the
Spring,” Duffie said.
The March to the Brazos to raise money for the March of
Dimes is reminiscent of something that was done in the
early days of the Corps.
“In the early days of the Corps the March to the Brazos
was done every April 1 no matter what day it fell on to keep
students from playing pranks on campus,” Duffie said. They
actually went out and spent the night at the River, he con
tinued.
“The only difference between the 1914 march and now is
that we are taking pledges. They used the march then as a
preventitive measure, but we are using it as a means of
raising money and gaining positive exposure for the Corps
of Cadets, Duffie said.
to raise money for the March of Dimes. Cadets raised $11,500 this year from the 6.3-mile
march. Battalion photo (right) hy Susan YVohh.
Ix-ft, courtesy Corps of Cadets.