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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 30, 1981)
Page 10 THE BATTALION THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1981 State Investigation into judge’s assassination is resumed United Press International SAN ANTONIO — A federal grand jury Wednesday reconvened from a month layoff in the investigation of the assassination of U.S. Dis trict Judge John H. Wood Jr., and the panel appeared to continue its focus on convicted drug dealer Jimmy Chagra. Chagra’s brother-in-law, Ed Nichols of El Paso, was among six persons called to testify before the federal grand jury — the second grand jury to try to indict Wood’s killer since the judge’s death almost two years ago. Nichols, 24, walked into the secluded witness room of the grand jury along with at least six other witnesses. He later testified before the panel but refused to comment on his testimony. Chagra, along with his brother Joe Chagra, an El Paso attorney, have been identified as targets of the investigation, which federal officials have compared in its intensity to investigations of presidential assassinations. Despite the intense inquiry, authorities have yet to produce any indictments, witnesses to the shooting or the murder weapon, which is be lieved tb be a high-velocity rifle. Wood, dubbed “Maximum John” for meting out stiff sentences to convicted drug dealers, was the first federal judge slain in the line of duty. He was shot in the back outside his north San Anto nio apartment on May 29, 1979. Nichols appeared at the John H. Wood Jr. Federal Courthouse in San Antonio with his father, Leon “Red” Nichols, who previously had testified before the panel. The elder Nichols said he did not know why his son was subpoenaed. “He did go with his sister, Liz, to visit Jimmy (Chagra) in Leavenworth a couple of times, ” the elder Nichols said. Others subpoenaed Wednesday by the grand jury included Jimmy Walker, a pilot for a Las Vegas charter jet service which had been used by Jimmy Chagra, and Earl McLennan, a Florida man convicted in a Boston federal court this month for aiding then-fugitive Jimmy Chagra in his flight from federal authorities. Official comment on the case has been sparse, although Joe Chagra has said federal investiga tors told him that his family was the focus of tie probe. Jimmy Chagra, an El Paso gambler now sen- ing a 30-year federal prison term, was to have appeared in Wood’s courtroom for trial on dm charges when the judge was shot to death, j Won GOLD DINNER RING r in) 3 DAYS ONLY THURS., FRI.&SAT Gents 14K Yellow Gold Black Star Sapphire Ring SALE Reg. 725 00 ip w Ruby & Diamond Wedding Set .25 CT CNTR Engagement Ring Reg. 500 00 SALE-$375.00 Ladies Band Reg. 87.50 Matching Gents Band Also Available ALL ADVERTISED ITEMS SUBJECT TO PRIOR SELLOUT LOOSE DIAMONDS .01CT REG. 10.50 SALE 7 .05CT REG. 60.00 SALE 45.00 .10CT REG. 130.00 SALE 97.50 .15CT REG. 325.00 SALE 243.75 .20CT REG. 396.00 SALE 297.00 .25CT REG. 445.00 SALE 333.75 VsCT REG. 490.00 SALE 367.50 .52CT REG. 1029.00 SALE 771.75 415 University Dr. College STation, Texas Store Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-5:30 Sat. 9-5 YOUR je^ELRY STORE We Accept Man wins $646,000 for skin rash -x""' United Press International GALVESTON — Dow Che-, mical Co. was ordered Tuesdaylo pay $646,000 in damages tn ana afflicted with a severe skin ra| that he said was caused by expo sure to sulfuric acid at Dow's Freeport plant. Sain C. Burdick, 63, sued the company six years ago after hede- veloped contact dermatitis whit working as a subcontractor iiu chlorine drying vessel. He lata sued Dow for $1.5 million indaia- ages and moved to Seattle, Wash., where his skin condition is less likely to be aggravated. Burdick’s skin condition recurs about every 30 days when blisten break out over his body, saidattor- ney Alton Todd, representing Burdick. After five days of testimony® U.S. District Judge Hugh son’s court, a jury ruled Dowwas negligent in inspecting and pre paring the vessel for burningoper ations and in warning that danger ous chemicals were in the vessel Burdick was awarded $600,1 for loss of earnings, pain and suf fering, $6,000 for past medical care and $40,000 for future medi:- al expenses. Steve Re on the la of the Fi with a fli Cou in d Gator death charges end in acquittal United P WASHING me Court V d a chance ilp handicap id to, refusi a deaf stud liege to pay terpreter. The justic ared they c se because i it ruled on ’ y of Texas United Press International SAN ANTONIO—A San Ante terpreter tf nio teen-ager who hacked an ail pmplete his gator to death with a shovel las I Justice Po been found innocent of killing an jar the court endangered animal. |ourt must < Joe Rodriguez, 19, said heliaa killed the American alligator after it charged him and two compan ions while they were fishing on Leon Creek south of San Antonio. Justice of the Peace AdamSer- rata ruled Tuesday that Rodrigue! was not guilty of a misdemeanot with a maximum $200 fine be- lusted a sig deral regu yond the pi lich prohi [ainst handi 'ogram rece The suit w; amenisch, ; mtatthe Ai r to assist h aster’s dej cause the state had no witnesses!! the alleged April 14 crime. Heafto said Rodriguez had not been red pded the his Miranda rights when arreste | e P his job ; Scrrata also said he doubted Pts at the Rodriguez would have know :x as School whether he was killing an Amen The school ican alligator, a protected specie or a South American which is not considered en dangered. “I don’t think too manypeopl are going to distinguish between an American and South Amerit alligator when they are beinfj approached by one,” the jurist' ruled. pest on j wtthe uni\ Uncial ass: “dents. Th< pay for hi; He later fil tbilitation i ia t noothe a Pped indh 16 benefits FREE BIKE CHECK WITH THIS AD Howard Racing Inc. Specials on Spring Tune-ups on All Bikes, Street Tires no# Available Call for Quotes on your Bike 693-7604 Vi mile South Texas World Speedwa) 9-5:30 M-F 9-12 Sat. ALLEN Oldsmobile Cadillac Honda SALES - SERVICE “Where satisfaction i standard equipment' 2401 Texas Ave. 779-3516 SSttate o FARCICAL Prescriptions Filled Glasses Repaired 216 N. 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