Although an extensive debate between Penn State Judicial Affairs and Olivia Guevara ended last week, the motives behind her prosecution are still being questioned. (more…)

A 24-year-old man cited for disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and harassment said at his hearing on Friday that he was beaten and restrained by All American Rathskeller employees in a way similar to that which led to the death of Penn State student Salvador Peter Serrano in October. (more…)

Aug. 9–BELLEFONTE — The All American Rathskeller is suing its insurance agency and insurance agent over a $2.5 million wrongful death settlement reached with the mother of Peter Serrano, a Penn State student who died during an altercation with night club bouncers in October 2003. (more…)

In a mix of education and activism, hundreds of students gathered on the Old Main lawn yesterday afternoon to wave signs and hear political speeches.

The event, called the “March for Democracy,” featured six speakers and a group of actors. The audience followed the speakers as they walked from Old Main lawn to the HUB lawn and back.

Sam Richards, a senior lecturer in sociology who helped organize the march, called the gathering a “classroom without walls,” and many of the students were there as part of an assignment in one of his classes.

But among messages about how big businesses control the government, cheering students gave the event the feel of a political rally.

“This march is about coming together and talking about ways in which we can empower ourselves,” Richards told the crowd through a bullhorn. “The system can change . . . It has changed in the past and it will change in the future.”

Speakers encouraged students to participate more in government, wrestling control away from the rich and spreading it among everyone equally.

“You may feel like the minority,” said Ken Clarke, director for the Penn State Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs. “But it has always been the creative minorities, as Martin Luther King, Jr., reminds us, who are at the vanguard of significant social and spiritual change.”

Speakers focused on progressive political ideas, including some of the same issues that led to anti-corporation protests recently in Seattle, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia.

At least one local Green Party candidate was at the march, passing out fliers.

Meanwhile, students held up cardboard signs with messages such as “Human need not corporate greed,” “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention,” and “Democracy kicks ass.”

Richards said it was the first time he’s led a march like this for a class, but said there are already plans for another one.

Students’ reactions to the event ranged from wild enthusiasm to begrudging attendance to get the grade.

“I thought it was a good idea,” said Michelle Boyd (sophomore-elementary education). “They gave a lot of information. But I wouldn’t have come if it wasn’t for my class.”

Many spoke highly of Richards and his sociology classes about racism and social injustices. Several students ran to him after the rally to give him a hug.

“Even if I didn’t have him as a teacher, I would go listen to him speak as much as possible,” said Mark Stern (junior-human development and family studies).

Although some of the speakers emphasized international issues, such as U.S. relations with China, they found plenty to get upset about at Penn State and in State College.

Andy Shubin, a local American Civil Liberties Union attorney, addressed the students about free speech. He mentioned a person who police cited last week for wearing a shirt with an expletive on it. The shirt apparently had a message critical of oil companies.

“Let’s engage in a little first amendment exercise,” Shubin suggested. “I’d like you all to repeat after me: Fuck petrol!”

The crowd did.

“Congratulations,” Shubin said. “You’ve all engaged in an act of civil disobedience.”

The rally’s final speaker was Barbara Anderson, director of the Penn State Center for Sustainability. She said people can improve society if they care strongly about a cause.

“I truly believe love is one of the most powerful motivators for change,” she said, just before leading students in a chorus of “America the Beautiful.”

PLEASANT GAP, Pa. – After four lawyers and $14,000 in legal bills, a 63-year-old Pleasant Gap man who doesn’t like it hot has been cleared on an indecent exposure conviction.

A state appeals court last week overturned the indecent exposure conviction of Charles Stitzer, who was wearing only shoes and a watch while gardening in his back yard nearly two years ago when he was arrested after a neighbor complained to police.

Is he happy?

“You’re damn right, you better believe it the strain I’ve been under,” Stitzer said Monday. “It’s been a hell of a load on my mind. It’s been a big financial drain.”

The decision was filed last week by a three-judge Superior Court panel, which directed Centre County Court to acquit Stitzer, who lives at 217 E. College Ave. in Pleasant Gap.

Stitzer was observed nude in his back yard by a neighbor, Pam Watkins, from a distance of 60 to 65 yards at sunset on June 22, 2000. Watkins could not be reached for comment Monday.

Stitzer’s case at first was dismissed at a preliminary hearing by District Justice Brad P. Lunsford, but he was rearrested and convicted at a December 2000 jury trial presided over by Centre County President Judge Charles C. Brown Jr.

After Stitzer was convicted, Brown sentenced him in January 2001 to two years probation.

The appeals court said backyard nudity observed from such a distance at sunset did not satisfy an element of the law that requires others to be present for indecent exposure to occur.

“We vacate the conviction and remand for the trial court to enter a judgment of acquittal,” the appeals court ruled last week.

State College lawyer Andrew Shubin, who represented Stitzer in the appeal, said the appellate court decision upheld a broad civil liberty, especially significant since the issue of civil liberties has come under new scrutiny since Sept. 11.

“The principle that’s important here is that a person has a right to do on his property things that he may not have a right to do in public,” Shubin said. “If you don’t like what you see, you avert your eyes.

“If he had done that at a baseball game, it would have been different,” Shubin said.

Assistant District Attorney Lance Marshall, who prosecuted Stitzer, said Monday that he does not plan to appeal the appellate court judgment.

Stitzer, a retired mechanical draftsman, said he likes to keep cool on hot summer evenings, sometimes wears a thong and often sat out nude on his side porch in the dark, though neighbors’ floodlights have lately lit up the night.

“Why sit out there with those hot shorts on?” Stitzer said. “Why shouldn’t I sit out there without anything on?”

In nine days, a trio of strangers, chosen in secrecy, will arrive at the large, white prison that sits on a hillside here. Shortly before 10 p.m., they will insert catheters into both of Keith Zettlemoyer’s arms, pump poison into his veins and kill him. (more…)

Leon Cassady remembers the day his turn came. (more…)

In nine days, a trio of strangers, chosen in secrecy, will arrive at the large, white prison that sits on a hillside here. Shortly before 10 p.m., they will insert catheters into both of Keith Zettlemoyer’s arms, pump poison into his veins and kill him. (more…)

Although an extensive debate between Pennsylvania State University Judicial Affairs and Olivia Guevara ended last week, the motives behind her prosecution are still being questioned. (more…)

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As Penn State University President Graham Spanier prepared to offer his annual State of the University address to an audience in the school’s Eisenhower Auditorium eight days ago, a line of nine students stood and turned their backs on him. (more…)