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Court reverses rape conviction of 2 menLITTLE HOCK lt;AF) -The slate Supreme Court today reversed the rape conviction of two men because a judge asked a defense witness during the trial if he had been paid to provide in formation Circuit Court Richard B Adkisson asked the question of officer Gary Stracener of the Jacksonville Police Department while Stracener was testifying about attempts to locate a pickup truck which had played a part in the alleged crime Ronnie Dale West and Gary Lynn West were convicted on the charge of rape and received sentences of life imprisonment The victim, a 22-year-old woman, alleged that she and a male companion were in an automobile parked near a construction site about 11 p m. on Nov. 22. 1972 when a pickup truck containing three men pulled in front of the vehicle she and her escort were occupying She said two of the individuals got out of the truck, came to the car. knocked her companion unconscious and sexually attacked her with the aid of the third man Later, she identified the Wests as the two who attacked herIn the* trial the defense was attempting to establish thatofficers at one time thought two other men were involvedStracener testified that apickup truck fitting the description given by the victim had been reported stolen on Nov 29. 1972. but w as found in the possession of two men. one of whom was related to the ownerThe defense attorney asked Stracener if he looked further into the background of the two men who had been found to have the truck that had been reported stolen.When Stracener said that he had the defense lawyer asked for the results of the investigation, Stracener replied, “1 found that on Juuc 18. 1972 there was a warrant issuedby...Adkisson interrupted Stracener * testimony to ask whether the information had anything to do with the rape trialAfter attorneys argued about whether Stracener should be allowed to proceed with the testimony Adkisson made the remarks about receiving pay for the informationIn the Supreme Court opinion. Associate Justice John A. Fogleman said the remark “could only have the effect of intimating that the trial judge believed the witness’ testimony was of questionable value.Arkansan to be sworn inLITTLE ROCK ( AP - An Arkansan who has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate for the Federal Power Commission probably will be sworn in on Thursday.Don S Smith has said hetll'ini.' In pni'iian from ikn ••• ..I «since 19t»9. when he was ap pointed by the late former Gov Winthrop Rockefeller.Rockefeller also appointed him to serve as state security's commissioner./I i tv r
Newspaper Details
Benton Courier
Benton, Arkansas, US
Tue, Dec 11, 1973
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Stacie F.
AR, USA 29 Jul 2017
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Benton Courier
