Dismissal of Chicago sentences sought

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32568, 30 March 1971, Page 19

Dismissal of Chicago sentences sought

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) CHICAGO, March 28. The Government on Friday asked for the dismissal of the contempt sentences imposed on the seven Chicago “conspiracy” defendants, and for new hearings of the charges by a judge not connected with the famous 100-day trial. Sentences ranging from two months to 29 months were imposed by Judge Julius Hoffman for contempt of court on the seven defendants David Dellinger, Rennie Davis, Thomas Hayden, Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, John Froines and Lee Weiner at the end of their turbulent trial in February, 1970. Each of the defendants, except Froines and Weiner, who were found not guilty, was sentenced by Judge Hoffman to five years prison and was fined SUSSOOO for crossing State borders to incite rioting during the Democratic convention in Chicago in August, 1968. The move by the Government was made before the court by Mr . William Bauer, a Federal attorney, who said the action stemmed from a decision by the United States Supreme Court in January that a judge who is the victim of a personal attack by a defendant during a trial should not himself impose a contempt sentence after the trial. The Government’s request for a new hearing does not apply to Bobby Seale, thei

eighth defendant, who was ordered to be tried separately by Judge Hoffman or to the two defence lawyers in the trial, William Kunstler and Leonard Weinglass, sentenced to prison for four years and 14 days, and for 20 months and 10 days, respectively for contempt. Both have entered appeals.