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Show 8 Mountain West Minority Reporter & Sentinel, October 5, 1990 © divestiture policy is OKed Jury acquits GI of executing *Elesable Richmond (AP) — Virginia’s retirement system and college boards may as long as they wish to sell South African-linked holdings and they may Panamanian during invasion take keep the stocks if selling would cost them money, according to a state policy Fort Brasg.) NC. (AP) — A veteran paratrooper was acquitted summary execution.’ Asked if he would rethink his ac- Friday of charges that he executed an unarmed man at a roadblock during last vear’s U.S. invasion of Panama. ‘*[ knew I was innocent from the beginning.’’ Sgt. Roberto Bryan said atter the verdict. “*I just had to wait tion in shooting the man, Bryan said, ’*If you feel that your life is threatened, take immediate action.”’ Government lawyers had no comment. Bryan carried the rank of first for that day to come.” Bryan said he never should have sergeant during the invasion and was been charged, but that he had no hard feelings toward Ist Lt. Brandon Thomas. the chief prosecution witness. or the Army. He plans to return to active duty Tues- day. Bryan, a 19-year Army veteran and member of Fort Bragg’s 82nd Airborne Division, had been charged with unpremeditated murder. A conviction would have carried a life sentence. The court-martial started Monday. In the Dec. 23, 1989 episode, Bryan’s unit stopped a carload of five Panamanians at a roadblock. A grenade was tossed and the soldiers opened fire, killing four of the men; 10 American soldiers were injured by the grenade. The fifth Panamanian man was injured. Bryan shot and killed him a short time later; the circumstances were what was at issue in the trial. The eight-member military jury deliberated an hour and 55 minutes before returning the verdict, which was greeted applause from other soldiers in the tiny courtroom. The defense maintained Bryan shot the man because he was moving in a way that indicated he was a threat to Bryan’s men. Two soldiers testified Thursday they also drew their guns on the Panamanian. A prosecutor, Capt. Charlie Lucky, said in closing arguments Fri- day the shooting was ‘‘a battlefield on divestiture. Controversial N.Y. cop transfers Peekskill, N.Y. (AP) — A police officer involved in a controversial assault because of my color,’’ said Pollard, case with alleged racial overtones has transferred to another police department . 29, who works in Fort Worth. “Tl One black leader said last Wednesday that threats of protests against the thought it was a joke at first. This is department may have had something to do with the move. like something that would have hapDarrell Davis, head of the Committee for Justice, said members of the pened to my grandmother maybe, but committee had threatened to demonstrate until officers Carl Calabrese and not in 1990. It was very hurtful.’’ Frank Lilos were out of Peekskill. When she again asked to be admitCalabrese began working in Putnam Valley last. week. : ted; Hendrick grew more adamant, But according to Putnam Valley Police Chief William Carlos, Calabrese Pollard said, ‘‘She was pointing a applied for a Putnam Valley job i in February 1989, long before the incident finger in’ my face, ‘telling me no. I involving Ronnie Davis. thought it was a joke at first.”’ ‘“These things take a long time,’ he said. ‘You need an opening and then: | ~ Hendrick declined direct comment have to get a series of approvals, hot just locally, but from the state. He on the incident. applied way before the controversy.”’ ‘“Who said she came? The nigger Carlos speculated that Calabrese, who lives in Dutchess County, chafiged girl?’’ Hendrick asked.. departments because ed Walley pays about $1,000 more a year than | Assistant. U.S. “Attorney. Floyd Peekskill. ‘Clardy of Dallas said the FBI will be Lilos and Calviress were”e both involved | in the arrest and alleged. aseaiill asked to investigate the club’s admisagainst Davis’ nephew, Ronnie, 21. an July 1989 after a fracas outside a sion policies to determine whether Peekskill bar. they violate the Civil Rights Act of Davis spent four days in the pact after his arrest and police, who ad- 1964, which prohibits racial mitted hitting him, said he ‘‘went berserk’ ’ after his arrest and had to be. discrimination. He said he will call subdued. for the investigation whether or not Police were cleared by a grand jury, j but Davis was charged with assaulting Pollard files a complaint, which she the officers after his arrest. He was convicted of the charges in May. has indicated she will do. The prosecutor also said the jurors had ‘‘seen a remarkable display of loyalty in this courtroom from witnesses who want to tell the truth but who also love that man.’’ Thomas testified Tuesday that he was stationed elsewhere when the gun battle broke out and drove to the area in time to see Bryan shoot the injured Panamanian. He said he approached Bryan, and Hendrick, 68, of Venus, said the ‘*We have to give them flexibility,’ Schutze said. ‘“The experts did con- nightclub she runs in a converted vince us that the costs could be substantial if we did not do this right.”’ roller skating rink is a private club, One financial expert told the committee the Virginia Retirement System although she ran out of membership could lose $12.9 million a year from its $3 billion stock fund while a second cards ‘‘a long time ago.’’ There are said the loss would be about $7.5 annually. no black members, she says, because ‘‘The committee believes that the prospective costs of divestiture will be ‘*T don’t really have room for them.’’ significant unless a balance is struck between the social objectives of divestiture. Lisa Pollard, a young black woman and the state’s fiduciary responsibilities,’’ the report said. from Grand Prairie, said Hendrick turned her away from the club Sept. 1 when she tried to attend a birthday party with three white friends. ‘‘T’ve never been denied anywhere no longer a combatant,’’ Lucky said. his M-16 rifle, Mansfield, Texas (AP) — A rural -nightclub that refuses to serve black announced last Wednesday. - patrons because ‘*it would cause trouThe policy was developed by a committee appointed by Gov. L. Douglas ble’’ will be investigated by the FBI Wilder four months ago to set guidelines for divestiture. Wilder ordered the for possible civil rights violations, a policy to protest South Africa’s racial segregation. federal prosecutor says. If the policy is followed, state boards would have to sell about $357 million ‘I ain’t gonna have no trouble,’ worth of holdings. The greatest amount, $317.6 million, would come from “says ‘‘Mama’’ Hendrick, owner of the state’s $11 billion employee pension fund. the Western Kountry Klub in Ellis Robert P. Schultze, Wilder’s deputy chief of staff and the committee’s chair- County about 15 miles southeast of man, said the policy was designed to prevent state boards from losing money Fort Worth. a master sergeant during the trial. He said he was promoted to sergeant major on Friday;-the promotion had been stalled by the charges against him. Lucky said the defense wanted jurors to believe that Thomas, the government’s chief witness, was a liar. Several soldiers testified that Bryan didn’t along with Thomas. He said the defense witnesses who testified they saw the Panamanian make a threatening motion ‘‘all missed something.”’ ‘‘We’re all soldiers and we all know we kill the enemy (but) we’re all soldiers and we all know when the enemy is shot up and wounded and no longer a threat, we all know he’s grabbed "Texas ae won 't admit blacks said, ‘‘What the hell are you doing? He was almost dead anyway. You didn’t have to empty a magazine into him.’’ Bryan stepped back with a startled look on his face and said, ‘‘He in- jured my people,’’ Thomas testified. 3. C. 0. NG R — S$ S M A N WAYNE OWENS You already have a friend i in Congress... Wayne was the only member on Utah’s congressional e delegation to vote in favor of the 1990 Civil Rights Act. ¢ Wayne cosponsored the Act for Better Child Care and voted to override the President’s veto. e Wayne cosponsored the Hate Crime Statistics Act, which requires ihe Justice Dept. to collect statistics on crimes motivated by prejudice based on race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. ¢ Wayne voted in favor of the Equity & Excellence in Education Act providing funding for Head Start, WIC and Even Start. e Wayne opposes any proposed cuts in Medicare for 1991 and supports legislation which would improve and expand coverage for Medicaid recipients. Election day is November 6th. Make sure that you are registered to vote at your current address by October 16. For registration information or assistance, please call 487-9090. Keep Wayne Owens Working for Tou. To Volunteer Call RTT or Contribute: or Write to: 472 West Bearcat Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84115 Authorized and Paid for by the Committee to Re-elect Wayne Owens. ¥ |
