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Editorial Kerry (iuilty At about 3 p.m. Saturday, E>onald Ray Perry, convicted in the murder, rape and kidnapping of USC education professor Mary Heimberger, faced the grim realization1 that a 12-member Richland County jury didn't buy the. fictitious tale that Perrv's friend should he nnnished for those crimes. The man who had remained silent and gentlemanly the entire trial, banged his fists on the defense table and screamed at Solicitor James C. Anders. Almost seven months after his actions, Perry finally could no longer shun responsibility. It was time that the person described as "cnild-like" pay a price for taking the life of another. 1 PERRY'S DEFENSE was shoddy to begin with. He admitted to the murder in the beginning, contracted tz.i/1 : ?*: 1.? t 1: ? amnesia, uicii tuiu an iiuagiiictu vc aiui y ui iyui(( iu puuct; from the beginning so they wouldn't hurt his wife. During those seven months of talking with attorneys, he said he remembered the true events of that night. It became clear to him after a shot of sodium amytol that a friend named Larry Deloach had forced Perry to rape the woman. Perry then lied, saying Deloach raped the woman and lrill?*ri hor kimcolf ruiIAVM IIVl IlliaiOVli. I Perry was calm and collected on the witness stand this I week. He was convincing. He told every detail with having y anything conflict and led many people to believe that it was Deloach who had committed the heinous crime. Perry's family members did the same. They tried to do everything in their power to protect Perry but after all the eviucuize was uruugru in, auer me arguments naa Deen made and the witnesses sat down, the 21-year-old stood alone. THERE HAD been those times in the past when committing robbery or stealing a purse meant Perry blaming his older brother. And this time, it was pinning the guilt on a man he met only three weeks before the murder. Donald Ray Perry never could admit to doing anything on his own. Despite his age, he wasn't really a man. The friends and family of Mary Heimberger no doubt will get little consolation from the trial. In fact, they'd probably much rather forget the whole matter. The hideous deed was done long ago. The trial just brought hurt, bad memories but fortunately, justice. Those who knew her best knew Mary Heimberger had no reason to hurt anyone. She was a shy, nervous person who was frightened easily. She did her work, went to class and was deeply devoted to teaching. When people sit down to reflect on the situation, they'll wonder why a woman who was so defenseless could be subjected to such bar baric violence. THAT'S WHY it's so important to remember Dr. Heimberger exactly as she was: a fine educator, and ideal person and a giving individual. She passes from us with the realization that she was remarkable woman. For Donald Ray Perry, memories also stick with us. His savagery has been partly rewarded. Now the jury will decide whether he will receive the death penalty. We can only hope the 9 women and 3 men who decide his fate will IMxp in niiitu evcryuiing uiey ve neara mis pasi weeK. Then maybe justice really will prevail. 1 a -n tr ti rs rM U-jft^AVlJziUUUxv University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C. Founded 1908 Newsroom: 777-7181 Advertising: 777-4249 i ?udn?M Office: 777-3S88 Production: 777-2813 Mari PUtte fditor lift Hancoci Coov DetV ChM Tracy Helm* rrfDn. OavM Cotvettc New* Editor CoibHt Aut. Spofta Editor Tom Coyne AmL New* Editor Mike Fkher Graphic* EdHor Don Weatherbee Editorial f?ge Witor kny Brewer 1.. General Manager Mfce Rttnatomfci EnterUinmcnt Editor Unda Maine* Advertoing Manager John Vaughan Am(. Ent Editor Mark Mctwan Production Manager Ma^lthrldgejr Advker { "Matchel Burnet* Manager Sole reproduction ngncs grameo <o rnr niiwuita rrni aii om?f mr.k'fMl contained herein may not be reproduced without the permission of the editor. Opinion* expressed in the Gamecock are those, H signed, o4 the writer and, H unsigned, of the editor. The Gamecock welcomes letters and columns. Al letter* and columns must be typewritten, triple-spaced on a 65 space Rne. Letters should be no longer than 300 words, and columns should be limited to on* ! newsworthy subject no longer than lour typed pages. Letter* and columns must be signed with the writer's correct name, telephone number, maOmg address, da it standing or faculty position and major. Pseudonym* are unacceptable, but the writer's um?r may be wMtiheM on letter, upon reqitwi, * me circum* tances wtrrjnt n. We reserve the right to e<Jk column* and letter* for space and stytc, and we reserve the kfcht to rejeel any column (or any reason. Addre?? letter* and column* to: Editorial Page Editor, Gamecock, Drawer A, U5C, Columbia, S.C. 29200. j imgoin^to j i see toft that thepoorare Reared for,.. J Editorki TO THE EDITOR: Your editorial of October 1 (4'Stop Sol Blatt"), only confirms my suspicions about the irrationality of the Gamecock policy. The "essay" was irresponsible and the charges unfounded. I u/nnlH lilrp tn nnint nut a few r""" ? of the more relevant facts surrounding the case. First and foremost, Soloman Blatt was the defense attorney and not the judge who passed sentence. Under our current system of justice, the defense attorney is charged with the resDonsiblitv of provision of Clarios ivi nit, KunuK: On September 15, I attended a poetry reading sponsored by the Clariosophic Society. Like the other guests, I anticipated a stimulating, yet soher nresentation of our I students' poetic efforts. Inasmuch as the actual reading is concerned, I was not disappointed. I However, the membership of the Clariosophic Sceiety, u,, '"U^w / 1 r that toy clot ArA ularm flr I M> ^ ill vii land secure,] She ? Letters To il's Accusc the best defense available to him. The light sentence is an idictment of the justice who passed judgement and, more broadly, the judicial system itself. Unless the Gamecock is privy to information of which I am unaware, Mr. Blatt was well within his 4 ethical bounds to deliver an "empassioned plea for a lighter sentence." It appears that the Gamecock editorial staff has established itself as judge and jury over the actions of Mr. Blatt without ever attending the trial. Who thinks they are "just a step under God, Gentlemen? ophic Clov as if unaware ot the audience, engaged in a seemingly endless display ot parliamentary ritualism. This procedure, or lack of Droorietv therein, was characterized by giggling, wise-cracking, and countless insufferable "witticisms." Unfortunately, it set the tone for the whole evening, and the poetry was reduced to a ~:a: : puBiuuii ui stt'unuuiy importance. Had these members been alone, their L.J a o11 ?1 pIrsu i aiuquun id , 1 news ao iterea I ttKeti car I of... The Editor itions Urn AS TO THE allegations that Mr. Blatt is some sort of mentally incompetent anachronism who has nothing further to offer the state or society, I would suggest that the successful defense of Stewart and Hair only demonstrates the legal capabilities of this man. Mr. Blatt has served the state well for fifty years. As Soeaker of the Hoiisp nf Representatives, he guided South Carolina through difficult transition periods without incident, a feat with which few Southern politicians are credited. He vns Ruin I conduct would have been merely idiotic. As it was, however, innocent persons were subjected to it, thus malrincf it fantlncc on/I AlltUlltlllg It l4?ViiW0 OllU VI fensive, as well as idiotic. POETRY IS a sublime and delicate literary form to be nurtured respectfully, and not to be dragged through the chaos of a sophomoric peanut-gallery. If such selfindulgent behavior is typical of the Clariosophic Society, then those who wish to participate in readings I Sfiiiri! *! S MORE I | - & Founded has demonstrated a genuine concern for the well-being of uiv uiii * i/i oivjr aim uic emu c state educational system. As an alumnus, Mr. Blatt has used the means available to him to further the aims of his alma mater; Carolina should feel honored to count him among its ranks. It is a shame that a man who has so unstintlingly demonstrated his concerns for the state and universitv should h?v<? to endure the slings aand arrows of irresponsible and unknowledgeable youth. CARL YOUNG Ph.D. Candidate GINT Department leadina -J ,JP should seek some otner means of sponsoring their activities. Perhaps a more reputable organization on our campus could sponsor an occasional poetry evening, or an interested faculty member could obtain a large classroom or a room in the Russell House once a month. An ad in the Gamecock could be used as the invitation to mpmhprshin LARRY BAGWELI Graduate Student Comparative Literature