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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 12, 1979)
Pages THE BATTALION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1979 Pentagon to probe false alert FARMERS MARKET CATERING United Press International COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The North American Defense Command (NORAD) Saturday opened its investigation into why a computer tape simulating a hostile missile attack was disseminated, prompting 10 fighter jets to take to the air, a spokesman said. Air Force Major Robert Tracy, NORAD information officer, said the incident occurred at NORAD’s combat operations at Cheyenne Moun tain near Colorado Springs early Friday and was determined to be a false alarm six minutes later. “We re investigating to determine whether the incident was the result of human or computer error,” Tracy said. “We hope to have an answer late next week. The Pentagon announced the incident in Washington late Friday and refused to give specific details. “We do not believe we should provide potential adversaries with knowledge of our alert procedures by going into any great detail, ” the Pentagon said. Before the error was caught 10 fighter aircraft took off— two F-1062 from Kingley Field, two F-1062 from Sawyer Air Force Base, and six F-lOls from Komox, British, Columbia, Tracy said. The fighter planes were part of the nation’s response plan in case of an enemy attack, he said. Neither President Carter, Defense Secretary Harold Brown nor Gen. David Jones, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was notified of the apparent emergency. Middle-level officials determined the alert was not real. A COMPLETE CATERING SERVICE LET US CATER YOUR NEXT BAR-B-QUE FUNCTION *2 95 per plate WE CATER TO ALL CLUB FUNCTIONS — DORMS, SORORITIES, FRATERNITIES, CORPS. DANCES, PICNICS. We also cater wedding receptions up to 200 miles away. Call for more infor mation. 2700 Texas Ave. - Bryan 779-6417 MSC OPAS proudly presents “Giselle” (Houston Ballet) November 13/8:15 p.m. Rudder Auditorium/TAMU Tickets available at MSC Box Office or Telephone VISA/MASTERCHARGE orders & pickup at the door 845-2916 MSC TOWN HALL present Mon., November 26 8:15 p.m. Rudder Auditoriui l Zone I Zone II Zone III for more info, call 845-2916 Cullen Davis trial finally ends Attorneys: money was advantagtH United Press International FORT WORTH — Multimil lionaire T. Cullen Davis’ wealth gave the industrialist a courtroom advan tage that most defendants lack, both defense and prosecuting attorneys agree. Davis was found innocent Friday of charges he tried to solicit the death of his divorce judge, Joe Eid- son. The trial was the second on the murder solicitation charge; a Hous ton jury had deadlocked 8-4 in favor of conviction. Davis also was acquitted in Amar illo in 1977 of the shooting death of his 12-year-old stepdaughter, Andrea Wilborn, who was one of four persons killed at the plush Davis mansion Aug. 2, 1976. “Cullen Davis had the financial re sources,” said lead defense attorney Richard “Racehorse” Haynes. “He was able to assemble a staff of lawyers and investigators who work ed for months preparing for these trials.” But Davis’ wealth was not the only reason for the innocent verdict, Haynes said. “I believe juries would have found a poor man innocent in these cases. Prosecutors found themselves forced to depend upon such witnes ses as Priscilla Lee Davis and David McCrory, and juries did not want to convict on the basis of their testi- their services. And he had unlimited funds to pay for investigative activi ties. I doubt that we will ever have a situation again in which a man of his wealth faces charges of this type. ” Davis has declined to say how much he spent on his bitter and prot racted divorce and on his three cri minal trials on murder-related charges. After jurors announced their ver dict Friday, Davis said only the trials “Cullen Davis had the finan cial resources,’' said lead defense attorney Richard “Racehorse’’ Haynes. “He was able to assem ble a staff of lawyers and investi gators who worked for months preparing for these trials. ’’ had cost him "a hell of a lot of mony. District Attorney Tim Curry said Davis’ wealth gave him a definite advantage. “He was in a position to pay lawyers who charge high fees for money. A Dallas newspaper Sunday re ported Davis, the wealthiest man tried on a murder charge in a Texas court, spent more than $5 million in legal and investigative fees. The re port was based on court records in troduced during Davis’ divorce. Although all pending state crimin al charges against Davis have been dropped, he still faces civil damage suits filed by the survivors of the mansion shooting spree. He also could face a criminal charge in a fed eral court. Federal officials had said they would consider charging Davis with possession of an illegal silencer if he ware acquitted of plotting Eidson’s death. The silencer was found in Davis’ car when he was arrested. A. TUib^umtaet*' by Mil'** Move m be *• ~TT'Vie; 8:ooem, Rudder Thintv* Tickets i MSC Box Office f WHAT IS A PARALEGAL CAREER? T i A paralegal career is one of the most exciting new careers for college graduates. A paralegal is a lawyer’s assistant who is able to do many tasks traditionally done by attorneys. Not a clerical or a secre tarial role, the paralegal is a new legal specialty with excellent job opportunities in law firms, corporate legal departments and banks. 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United Press International Chronology of events in the criminal cases against T. CullenDa^ en 1968 tra\ Aug. 31 — Millionaire industrialist T. Cullen Davis of Fort Worts! marries Priscilla Wilborn. It is his second marriage, her third. | United Pi AUSTIN — 1974 Iting to ma 'exas supporte July 30 — Mrs. Davis sues for divorce. wspresider Aug. 1 — Davis moves out of the couple’s $6 million, 19,000-squartfair througho foot mansion. Hsachusrtts Aug. 23 — Davis agrees to orders of Domestic Relations CoiieBMoS sup Judge Joe H. Eidson that he not come on or around the mansionorfcl c ' 181-acre grounds. i'lBturdays i _ 300 ent 1975 September — Davis moves into suburban home of Karen Master! divorced mother of two sons. 1976 Aug. 2 — Eidson orders Davis to pay $25,000 in legal feesto.\lri| Davis’ attorneys; awards Mrs. Davis $27,0(X) cash pending divisioni community property, and raises her temporary alimony to $5, month, a $1,500 increase. io are convn it President xas delega lonal Coi ted at a s and Don makes p dally erne he organii Sen. K said Mai; Aug. 3— Davis’ stepdaughter, Andrea Wilborn, 12, shot and killeW > s way ah at mansion while Mrs. Davis and her boyfriend, Stan Farr, 31, dineoti with friends. Upon their return, Mrs. Davis shot and wounded. Fan killed by four bullets when he responds to her screams. Mrs. Daiiil hides outside in shrubbery, hears more shots and flees barefootdj across estate to a neighbor’s. Gus Gavrel Jr., 21, and Beverly Bass, attacked as they arrive by auto at mansion. Gavrel paralyzed h gunfire. Bass flees unharmed. Mrs. Davis and Bass identify Daviss| their assailant. Aug. 3 — Davis arrested at home of Master and charged murder and attempted murder. Posts $80,000 bond and is released Aug. 20 — Charges against Davis upgraded to capital murder. Hed re-arrested while hoarding a private jet and jailed without bond. Aug. 23 — Mrs. Davis testifies at bond hearing her husband wastlie “man in black ” who wounded her and killed Farr. Aug. 27 — State District Judge Tom Cave denies bond. Sept. 30 — Opening of trial delayed from Oct. 11, 1976, until Fel 22, 1977, at request of defense attorneys. Oct. 20 — Texas Court of Criminal Appeals upholds bond denial Dec. 20— U.S. District Judge Eldon Mahon dismisses Davis'W appeal State D Manned for in Texas ne barty does binding OUS United Pri )RT WO chief II ‘day his c dismal rec nes to offi 1977 Jan. 4 — 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals refuses to grant tempo: ary order freeing Davis. Feb. 3 — Defense attorneys ask Supreme Court Justice Lew 5 (of police Powell to release Davis on bond, offering to pay salaries of fedenl marshals who could accompany him 24 hours a day. Davis offersli return to jail each night if he can he free to attend to business interest during the day. Feb. 7 — Powell refuses to hear the case. Feb. 9 — Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall refuses to hen the case. pa against su o one in t rl record ol Houston j veil said. se it make xas law is r because ii re force b aents mu; lies of their aldwell join L Feb. 22 — Jury selection begins in Cave’s State District Courto«B^ u b en Si charges Davis kills Wilborn child. Hphy, an offi April 13 — With eight jurors seated. Cave declares mistmlV hiternat announcing one juror participated in clandestine telephone calls andi 1 ^ ^olie expressed a prejudicial opinion about Davis. Bsive force April 21 — Cave cites defense lawyers Phil Burleson and RichariljE 0 " c ' e ' comi1 “Racehorse Haynes for contempt of court for filing unsubstantiated r e tw o-day “affidavits” alleging drug use at mansion after Davis’ departure. Cave files his own motion to move the trial. I. May 9 — Cave transfers trial to the Amarillo District Court of Judge feolOFftCl George Dowlen. June 27 — Jury selection begins in Dowlen’s court. Aug. 16 — Jury seated. Aug. 20 — Dowlen releases Davis on $1 million bond; opening arguments in the trial. Aug. 22 — Testimony begins. In Fort Worth, Cave revokes bond; Davis re-arrested in Amarillo. Nov. 14 — State and defense rest. Nov. 16 — Final arguments; jury receives case. Nov. 17 — Jury finds Davis innocent. Davis released on $650,00(1 bond (reduced in 1978 to $325,000) on remaining charges; celebrates acquittal at restaurant party attended by Dowlen, several jurors, ;aks 1978 Aug. 10 — Eidson, now a district judge retaining jurisdiction in die divorce, delays divorce trial until Sept. 18, allowing Mrs. Davis attorneys time to study details of Ken and Cullen Davis’ settlementin $1 million federal suit filed by younger brother Bill. Aug. 20 — Cullen Davis arrested for plotting murder of Eidson FBI, Texas Rangers and police arrest participate in arrest. Silencer- equipped automatic pistol seized from trunk of his car. Aug. 22-Sept. 1 — During bond hearing FBI informant David McCrory testifies Davis gave him $25,000 for Eidson’s murder. Pro secution evidence includes FBI audio and video tapes of McCron- Davis meetings Aug. 18 and 20. Bond denied. Aug. 29 — Eidson disqualifies himself from divorce case. Retired Civil Appeals Court Justice John M. Barron of Bryan appointed asa replacement. Sept. 7 — Grand jury indicts Davis for soliciting, conspiring and attempting to have Eidson killed; possession of illegal weapon. Sept. 21 — Visiting Judge Arthur Tipps transfers trial to Houston District Court of Judge Wallace “Pete” Moore. Sept. 27 — Moore refuses to release Davis on bond. Nov. 3 — Jury selected. Nov. 6 — Testimony begins. Dec. 13 — Texas Court of Criminal Appeals upholds bond denial. Dec. 27 — Davis testifies he was “playing along” with McCroryand never intended anyone be harmed. United Pr |!EBLO, C Air Patrol search fi two peopl a flight fre lock, Texa “Afresh lead Jrs indicatin Colorado f riorating w Colorado m search una< Capt. Ken le pilot ha rid A. Jones passenger a merton, W O’Keefe £ Oct. 30. : said in the FAA le flew fror ico during ^ on Oct. 3i HAP would litial searc ipered by tl ?ht plan wit Washingt< ped in Gra id but faik e said thi dd search day. 1979 Jan. 12 — Testimony concluded. Jan. 22 — Davis jury reports it cannot reach a verdict; mistrial declared and the Texas millionaire released on bond. Feb. 20 — Cullen-Priscilla Davis divorce trial begins. March 26 — Divorce Court Judge Barron withdraws from case after news reports he met privately in his hotel room with Davis and declares a mistrial in the divorce case. March 30 — Tarrant County Administrative Judge Charles Murray appoints District Judge Clyde Ashworth. April 11 — Trial resumes. April 20 — Decision in divorce reached. August — Retrial begins. Nov. 6 (15 weeks later) —- Closing arguments finished. Nov. 7 — Jury begins deliberating. Nov. 9 — Davis found innocent of murder solicitation. District Attorney Tim Curry dismisses all pending charges against Davis. Witt Mo^ The band gets its news from the Batt. 11U UUIMMII——