tangents

news & views

by dal mcintire

Phoenix, Ariz., cops recently raided party at a divorcee's home, arresting 11 (of 27 men and 4 women including 2 juveniles), some admitted homosexuals. Police Lt. Hodges, who Mayor Jack Williams had asked to keep watch on reported influx of homosexuals into Phoenix area," had watched 4 parties at house in 2 weeks-and Hodges' vicers, with state liquor officers and U. S. Customs gestapo, moved in at 5 A.M. Lt. Hodges said, "Something should be done about such orgies-laws should be enacted to deal with such homosexuals." A neighbor said such "twisted personalities . . . were a menace to children" and threatened to organize "vigilante group... to deal with these persons our own way." Walter Bassett of 4029 E. Catalina and 7 other neighbors appealed to city council for action against "deviates"-but were turned down. City Atty., Wm. Eliot said, "Trying to jail persons suspected of being deviates would be like imprisoning somebody suspected only of having tendencies toward burglary." Mayor Williams congratulated vigilante Bassett and his "delegation" anyhow for bringing matter to public attention, urged other citizens to keep alert for such activity, and said, weepfully, that meanwhile, cops were confined to harassing tactics.

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Few weeks earlier, pretty, 21-yrold specialist-third-class Bennie. Luna, in a Yuma, Ariz., court, admitted kicking, beating and stabbing 38-yr-old Yuma teacher Frank Cowles, who died next day. Luna, after drinking heavily, accepted ride from teacher Cowles, who, he said, tried to kiss him. He first denied the stabbing, also denied he'd gone further than Cowles' car parked outside house. Cowles was found, almost dead, outside house, by officer and given first aid. Later, Luna admitted he'd not only entered house with Cowles, who'd had to help the drunken M.P. upstairs, but had slept awhile in Cowles' bedwith his clothes on, of course, he said. It was then Cowles allegedly made advances, which the youth resisted. He described beating Cowles unconscious in bathroom, changed testimony again to account for Cowles being found outside house. Phoenix Judge Yale McFate then ruled out possibility of 1st degree murder conviction "for lack of evidence." An airman testified he saw Cowles embrace Luna before they got in car. Two witnesses (one in jail for bad checks) said Cowles made advances to them, but they'd easily maintained their virginity, of course. Several witnesses testified to Cowles' good repute. OUTCOME: Acquittal. Jurymen had tears in eyes while congratulating Luna,

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