Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

Friday Football Blitz scrutinizes g Carolina's Saturday matchup against Vanderbilt during Homecoming weekend. 1 Thompson pleads guilty to lesser charges p After 7 hours of jury deliberation, attorney for ex-Gamecock strikes deal with prosecutors from staff and uiire reports Former defensive end Moe Thompson pleaded guilty to lesser charges in his burglary trial before a jury could reach a verdict on Thursday. The ex-Gamecock pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted first-degree burglary and two counts of petit larceny. He faces up to 15 years in prison. Thompson had been charged with two counts of first-degree burglary and two counts of petit larceny stemming from a Feb. 23 incident in which Thompson and former defensive lineman Kevin Mainord broke into East Quad dorm rooms. Mainord pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of second-degree burglary and petit larceny, lesser charges. He testified against Thompson in the former defensive end’s trial. The jury had been deliberating for seven hours when Thompson’s attorney Hemphill Pride approached prosecutors about reducing the charges. After talking with the victims, 5th Circuit Deputy Solicitor John Meadors agreed to the deal. If convicted, Thompson would have faced 15 years to life in prison. Before he recorded Thompsons guilty plea, Circuit Judge Reginald Lloyd warned Thompson of what punishment future infractions could mean. “These are strikes on you, sir,” he said, adding that under the states three strike law, “more serious offenses could subject you to life in prison without the possibility of parole.” During the trial Thursday, Pride re-iterated that Thompson intended the break-ins as a prank on fellow football players. “The question is, did he cross that threshold with the specific intent to commit a crime,” Pride said. “It requires intent to commit a crime.” Pride said Thompson “felt bad” when he heard that he had stolen from women he didn’t know instead of fellow football players. The prosecution argued that Thompson’s belief he was stealing from football players who would not report him did not matter — that his intent was to steal. “This is a burglary case,” Meadors said. The prosecution also pointed out that Thompson didn’t return the stolen items before police issued a warrant for his arrest. Both Thompson and Mainord will be sentenced at a later date, Lloyd said. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocknews@gwm.sc. edu 9 WILLIAMS: ‘EASE STUDENT BURDEN’ SG president requests input on parking, credit hour limit ^ Albany Gault KOH THfi (iAMKCOCK “Practical solutions to real student problems” is Student Government President Justin Williams’s mantra concerning the problems of USC students, and he wants your help. SG is focusing on three areas — some old, some new — to improve the quality of USC student life, namely finding a resolution to parking complaints, increasing the credit hour limit from 16 to 18, Pand enforcing the policy of grade forgiveness. But needs tne reeaDacK ot students to know if they would benefit from these changes, if they were to occur. Williams’ cabinet needs student support no matter the form; comments can be in e-mails or handwritten letters. Regarding parking issues, letters can be addressed to Derrick Huggins, director of Parking Services. Letters regarding the credit hour increase or the “grade forgiveness” program can be addressed to USC President Andrew Sorensen. “It is a whole lot easier to say Bno to me than to say it to 15,000 students,” Williams said. SG has two ideas about the parking issue. Williams, a fourth-year public relations student, said he feels eliminating freshman parking will “ease the burden on students ... as well as faculty and staff.” The other idea is a seniority system, giving each S6 • 5 p INSIDE Viewpoints Chase Stoudenmire shows his softer side (again); Aaron Brazier begs for the return of blood and thunder to football 6 The Mix White noise Daemon Flushboy uses improvisation, unique sound to challenge their listeners. 7 Float on Katie Kirkland/TIIK (iAMKUUCK A sorority member decorates a float in preparation for today’s Homecoming parade. («■■■■■■■■■ -MBH Dennis Cook / The Associated Press White House Counsel Harriet Miers walks past still photographers and TV cameras on Capitol Hill on Oct. 6. Miers was on her way to a meeting with Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., to discuss her nomination to the Supreme Court. Some USCprofessors question Mien moxie Supreme Court nominee finds early criticism Gina Uasselli STAFF WRITER Harriet Miers’ nomination to the Supreme Court has been a surprise to many in Washington, and, with her conformation hearings scheduled to begin Nov. 7, questions about her views and abilities are being raised and re-raised. Some experts at USC agree she is an unusual candidate and question her loyalty toward President Bush as a slight violation of the separation of powers. “She’s missing many of the life experiences and qualities we’ve come to expect in a nominee,” said Professor Andy Siegel of USC’s School of Law. Miers is considered a “blank slate” on many issues because she has very little previous history with the top issues for the Supreme Court, such as abortion. Patrick Maney, chairman of USC’s history department, said: “Most candidates have been much more active. More is known about them and their views. They’ve been public figures. Most of her life is a closed book.” The lack of transparency on Miers’ stances on many issues is making some usual Bush administration supporters nervous. Maney said Bush badly miscalculated his nomination. “His supporters are not willing to take his word (on her conservative views).” Maney reiterated, though, that Bush is “confident that she will vote the way he would on the court.” People might be uncertain of Miers’ views on abortion, but there is no questioning her loyalty toward Bush. Siegel said: “He’s got a history of selecting people who he’s personally comfortable with. From his perspective, it’s a safe and comforting pick. Loyalty in of itself is a qualification.” Should Bush’s former counsel be confirmed to the miCRS • 5 Month-long events focus on domestic violence awareness (\ Efwpty Space I At the Table I S»«* <e to *** „ I trofc ta :»«i Vh t « B ~"’,WUt *"tnn *Hh It ..lew|B,'i B •eUiiwuSlp ■..,*»■« mwe, j fee .* I§| . «n ‘i****» Mniw'« i,.,-. ,.,#«*» B ■ *»■»«* f*» UN> (Japt, K^MtV B #>«» «**!»» ,w ***■<* Fji 'l ' ' 4*" ' W*» ■- *4.1' tflntf 11'. '-7''- fWjr Nick Esarts fl\\V. (JAMKCfXJK A table in the Russell House titled “Empty Space at the Table” tells stories of domestic violence. October ^Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Campus displays, exhibits, poetry reading, concert highlight activities Elizabeth Benfield FOR THE OAMECOCK As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, students in the Russell House can stop by the “Empty Space at the Table” to understand the far-reaching effects of domestic violence. A family-style dinner table will be set up today with stories from real-life victims of domestic violence to promote Domestic Violence Awareness Month in an effort oo curb unhealthy relationship behaviors among students. “I don’t think students are aware of how often it occurs, or how serious it can be,” said Sheila Abron, Domestic Violence Awareness Month chairwoman from the peer education group Sexual Health Awareness and Rape Education. Abron, a senior business student, helps the Office for Sexual Health and Violence Prevention with activities. Abron has been working with the sexual health office jince the summer to plan informative, touching and interactive events to reach USC students. “October is a month dedicated to creating awareness about domestic violence in South Carolina because we really do have one of the highest rates in the country,” she said. South Carolina is ranked sixth in the nation for women killed by their husbands or boyfriends. Forty-four men and uioicnce^s