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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (June 30, 1993)
State & Local Page 2 The Battalion Wednesday, June 30,1 Wednes< Execution brings surprise confession Duff-Smith confesses to paying man for killing family to inherit fortune THE ASSOCIATED PRESS HUNTSVILLE — Convicted murderer Markham Duff-Smith, in a surprising disclosure seconds before his death Tuesday, confessed to the 1975 plot that killed his mother and a similar scheme four years later that left three members of his adoptive family dead. Duff-Smith, 46, previously denied any role in the death of Gertrude Duff-Smith Zabolio, 57, who was strangled with a pair of panty hose at her home in the exclusive River Oaks neighborhood of Houston. He also had denied any part in the shooting deaths of his adoptive sister, Diana Wanstrath, 36; her husband, John; and their 14-month-old son, Kevin, in 1979. But early Tuesday, with needles inserted into his arm and strapped to the Texas death chamber gurney, Duff-Smith smiled and ac knowledged at the start of a rambling final state ment that he was the mastermind of the scheme investigators insisted were two murder-for-in- heritance plots. "I am the low sinner of sinners,” Duff- Smith said. "I am responsible for the '75 and '79 cases.” Duff-Smith was convicted of paying $10,000 to Allen Wayne Janecka to kill his mother and make her death look like a suicide. After squandering a $90,000 inheritance, po lice said in 1979 he sought out Janecka again to kill the Wanstrath family so he could collect up to $500,000 of their inheritance. "If someone confesses, it confirms the sys tem worked,” Patricia Guillermo, a spokes woman for the Texas attorney general's of fice, said. Duff-Smith's confession nearly went unre ported because a new intercom speaker system and plastic glass shield installed in the death chamber by prison officials distorted the sound, making the inmate's words inaudible at times. Previously, only steel jail bars separated the con demned man from witnesses. Prison officials defended the death chamber renovations as security measures and said they would work to correct the problems. The Harris County medical examiner's of fice originally ruled Mrs. Zabolio committed suicide and that the Wanstrath shootings were murder-suicide. But a Houston police detective, Johnny Bonds, was credited with breaking the case af ter working hundreds of hours poring over bank and telephone records to show Duff- Smith used a middleman to pay Janecka for the four slayings. Janecka also wound up on death row but his conviction was reversed by an appeals court. His retrial is scheduled for next month. A conviction could return him to death row. Duff-Smith's execution came after last-day appeals failed to get him a reprieve. A unani mous ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court about two hours before his 12:16 a.m. CDT ex ecution cleared the way for the punishment in what was one of Houston's most publicized murder cases. mm sySXr Jj s™ Crime Stoppers On April 27 between 3:45 and 5:00 a.m. the Bryan Police De partment was the victim of two arsons. Two Chevrolet Caprice pa trol cars were set on fire, one in North Bryan and one in South Bryan. Both cars were set on fire by an unknown substance being thrown onto the cars. Bryan Police report that one car was a total loss and the other sustained damage to the right rear. A witness reported seeing a dark-colored newer model Chevrolet pickup in the area of North Bryan approximately 10 min utes before. The police do not know if the pickup was involved. Police have no suspects or other witnesses for this crime. This week the Bryan Police Department and Brazos County Crime Stoppers need your help to identify the person(s) responsible for this arson. If you have any information call Crime Stoppers at 775-TIPS. When you call you will be given a special coded number to protect your identity. If your information leads to an arrest and grand jury indictment. Crime Stoppers will pay you up to $1000 in cash. Crime Stoppers also pays cash for information on any felony crime or the location of any wanted fugitive. The TAG Heuer 4000 Series. Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Water-resistant to 200 meters (660 feet). TAGHeuer SWISS MADE SINCE 1860 LUinDorkr Jeuuetery 3841 Bellaire Blvd. • Houston, Texas 77025 • 713 668-5000 An authorized TAG Heuer dealer RESEARCH Panic Do you experience brief, unexpected periods of intense fear or discomfort? Have you visited your doctor or the hospital emergency room because of chest pains, shortness of breath, numbness or tingling sensations and find out that you have no physical problems? These occurrences may have been panic attacks. VIP Research is conducting a study on Panic Disorder. Individuals with symptoms of panic attacks are being recruited to participate in a three month study of an investigational medication for the treatment of panic disorder. If you would like more information, call VIP Research. $200.00 will be paid to those individuals who qualify and complete the study. Urinary Tract Infection Study • Lower Back Pain • Painful Urination • Frequent Urination •Fever VIP Research is seeking individuals 12 years of age or older with complicated urinary tract infections. If you have a urinary tract infection, you may qualify for an eight week research study using a currently available antibiotic medication. Participants who qualify and complete the study will be paid $200. L Volunteers in Pharmaceutical Research, Inc. 776-1417 'Condom rapist' seeks re-trial because of jury misconduct THE ASSOCIATED PRESS AUSTIN — The jury delibera tions in the case of a man convict ed of raping a woman who asked him to wear a condom will likely be exposed on the witness stand as the defendant seeks a new trial, lawyers said Tuesday. Joel Valdez, 28, was expected to be back in state district court Wednesday in hopes of winning a new trial on allegations of jury misconduct. Two members of the jury that sentenced Valdez to 40 years in prison have since come forward, saying they initially wanted to give him a lighter sentence but were manipulated by the jury foreman. "What we are trying to show is that the jury's foreman was basi cally giving incorrect legal advice on how the probation was going to work and how Joel was going to get out for good time,” said Darryl Konopka, an assistant to defense attorney Malcolm Nettles. Valdez in May was sentenced to 40 years after the victim, Elizabeth "Xan” Wilson, tearfully detailed how the man repeatedly raped her at knifepoint in 1992 after she asked him to wear a condom. The case gained national atten tion after a grand jury declined to indict Valdez. That sparked out rage and protests from women's groups. The following incidents were re ported to University Police De partment between June 18-22. Disorderly Conducl/Public Intoxication Driving While Intoxicated Wellborn Road- An officer ob served a motorist lose control of his vehicle and strike the guardrail on the overpass. The subject was found to be intoxi cated and was taken to jail. Texas Avenue- A group of indi viduals reported to the traffic offi cer that a fight was in progress in the parking lot. The officer sepa rated the intoxicated individuals and escorted them to jail. Assault South College Avenue- A subject detected operating a vehicle at a high speed and erratic manner was found to be intoxicated and was taken to jail. Indecent Exposure Joe Routt Blvd. and Parking Area 49- A Parking Services Offi cer was struck on the left thigh by a motorist who was fleeing from another officer who had in formed the individual his vehi cle was to be towed for excessive unpaid parking citations. Ba McFadden Hall- One of seven individuals who had been throwing rocks at a second floor window exposed his genitals when the four female occupants looked outside. Misdemeanor Theft Commons- A black and blue Schwinn High Plain 21-speed bi cycle was stolen from the north west side. Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon Wellborn Road- A motorist who failed to heed a red light was stopped. The subject did not have a driver's license. A small wooden handle hatchet was found on the floorboard between the seat and door. The subject was then taken to jail. Parking Area 50- A blue and yel low Murray 12-speed bicycle was stolen from the bed of a truck. Dormitory 5- A yellow Yamaha 10-speed bicycle was stolen from a bicycle rack. Parking Area 30- Following a traffic accident, one of the par ties involved indicated that she had a gun. When this was said the other individual stated she was going to get her .38. During the subsequent investigation a loaded Standard, 2" barrel, .22 magnum revolver was found in its case under the passenger's seat. Forestry Laboratory- A dark green and blue Jaguar single speed bicycle was stolen. Criminal Trespass Easterwood Airport- Three indi viduals were found inside a se cured area without authorization. Burglary of Habitation Wells Hall- The victim reported $200 in cash was stolen from her room. SCOTT & WHITE CLINIC, COLLEGE STATION Announcing Weekend Clinic Hours for Urgent Care 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Scott & White Clinic, College Station, is now offering weekend Clinic hours for urgent care by appointment\ only! The Weekend Clinic is conducted from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Clinic Annex building located across the street (Glenhaven Dr.) from the main clinic. By Appointment Only (409) 268-3663 A Scott & White Annex S&W Clinic UNIVERSITY DRIVE EAST Scott & White Clinic, College Station 1600 University Drive East The Battalion JASON LOUGHMAN, Editor in chief MARK EVANS, Managing editor DAVE THOMAS, Night News editor MACK HARRISON, Morning News editor BILLY MORAN, Photo editor STEPHANIE PATTILLO, City editor ANAS BEN-MtJSA, Aggielife editor KYLE BURNETT, Sports editor SUSAN OWEN, Sports editor Staff Members City desk - Jennifer Smitfi, James Bemsen, Michele Brinlcmann, Reagan Clamon, Jason Cox, Lisa Elliott, Laura Haley, Janet Holder, Carrie Miura, and Geneen Pipher News desk - Lisa Borrego, Joe Holan, and Denise Wick Photographers — Richard Dixon, Mary Macmanus, Nick Pena and Stacy Ryan Aggielife — Jacqueline Ayotte, John Bayless, Margaret Claughton and Jennifer Sake Sports writers - Roy Clay, Matt Rush, Mark Smith and Tom Sullivan Opinion desk - Shashi Nanjundaiah, Matt Dickerson, Tracey Jones, Frank Stanford and Robert Vasquez Cartoonists — Boomer Cardinale, George Nasr, Joe Reyes, Sergio Rosas and Paul Stroud Graphic Artist - Angel Kan Clerks- Grant Austgen, Alishia Holtam and Lisa White The Battalion (USPS 045-360) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Monday through Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods), at Texos A&M University. Second class postage paid at College Station, TX 77840. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, 230 Reed McDonald Building, Texas A&M Universily, College Station, TX 77843. I sa and T again. Major Baseba follow steps profe sports confoi new pi tem. I thi would that ba: been factor lives of centur} er fathc countr) life's e baseba througl ry. Thr tions, tl basebal joyous i Whe numbe was sul League appear tough s has nov barring system The i would leaders divisio record Origi call foi league's two cui total of have crt teams v would third di’ The have dr and a v next bes News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in the Division of Student Publications, a unit of the Department of Journalism. Editorial offices are in 013 Reed McDonald Building. Newsroom phone number is 845-3313. Fax: 845-2647. Advertising: For campus, local and national display advertising, call 845-2696. For classified advertising, cdl 845-0569. Advertising offices are in 015 Reed McDonald and office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday tfirougli Friday. Fax: 845-5408. Subscriptions: Mail subscriptions are $20 per semester, $40 per school year and $50 per full year To charge by VISA or MasterCard, call 845-2611. House Of Tires BUY • TRADE • SELL 4th OF JULY SALE ONE WEEK ONLY JUNE 28 - JULY 3 OPEN FROM 8am - 8pm for week of sale •ALL TIRES & WHEELS ON SALE* •WE'LL BEAT ANY PRICE PERIOD* • PRIME•PROGRESSIVE•ULTRA‘AMERICAN EAGLE* • BOYDS • ELITE‘MOMO* BBS •FITTIPALDI* AND MANY MORE MOHAWK»MICHELIN«GOODYEAR»DUNLOP*PIRELLI»YOKAHAM«TOYO 1401 S. TEXAS AVE., BRYAN • 779-2458 1 (Acros i Medi Pepp ha 1 Not val I custom Oi i 1 with I Not val ^custom