Vol.4 No. 14

TORONTO (CUP) - The re- lease of David Hayes’ book ‘No Easy Answers’ has renewed cries for the release of Bruce Curtis, the Canadian univer- sity student who has spent the past four and a half years in a New Jersey prison.

Curtis was sentenced along with Scott Franz in connection with the killings of Franz’ mother and step-father in 1982. At the time both were eighteen years old and both received sentences of twenty years in prison.

Franz pleaded guilty to mur- der and recieved the minimum sentence because he was plea- bargained into testifying against his friend. Curtis re- cieved the maximum sentence for the death of Franz’ mother, even though he maintained that the shooting was acciden- ta l. :

Research

By Derrick Webber

CUSTOM DESIGNED BAC- TERIA that gobbles up oil spills, high energy accelerators ised in a search for the latest sub-atomic particle; that’s what the phrase research and development brings to-mind. Certainly not something to be found at UPEL. Actually, UPEI has had an office of Research and Development since 1981, and yes, there is some research to direct.

In 1986, over $1 million in funding was awarded to the university forresearch and development. The funds come mainly from various govern- ment operating or research councils, and from the Canada Council for the arts. There is also a UPEI Senate grant scheme, and one to provide some on-campus student em- ployment.

Overseeing it is John De- Grace, the University’s pres- ent R&D director, responsible for finding and managing funding for research at UPEL. He has been with us since April of last year and publishes a quarterly newsletter about pro- grams being conducted.

The Veterinary College has brought a great deal of research to UPEL, andis the most active

“jewel of the isle”’

E GEM™

The “NEW and IMPROVED” GEM

Celebrated criminal lawyer Eddie Greenspan attended a recent book-launching in a swank downtown Toronto hotel, and urged Prime Minis- ter Brian Mulroney to “find five minutes in his schedule to make a phone call to the gov- ernor of New Jersey -because a single phone call from him could have Bruce Curtis home with his parents in Nova Sco- tia tomorrow.”

“There is no case against Curtis; none at all. He should be home,” said Greenspan.

However, the Curtis family has been critical of the book’s content, claiming it presents inaccurate and sensational

’ information about Bruce.

Gerald Morris, the family’s lawyer who has been lobbying for action from Ottawa, is op-

at UPEI

area of research, but the Phys-

ics, Chemistry, Biology, social sciences, and arts departments all have programs oftheir own.

Generally, UPEI’s contribu-

‘tion to research is small-scale,

but there are some unusual and interesting projects being conducted:

VETERINARY COLLEGE: A major project to set up an animal health computer data- base. ~

PHYSICS:

Investigation of properties of electromagnetic waves and the molecular properties of solids and liquids.

PSYCHOLOGY:

Research into colour perception atthe Department’s Colour and Vision Lab. Also, a study into “Estimation of passage of time by hypnotic subjects”, among others.

MUSIC:

The computer printing of cam- era ready musical scores, using. equipment like UPEI’s VAX computer.

Grants have also been issued. for the development of publi- cations. There is a dictionary of Prince Edward Island Eng- lish nearing completion in the

Con't Page 2

Book on Curtis

timistic of Curtis’s fate.

“T estimate that Bruce will be back in Canada within six months or so, either in a cor- rectional institution here or at home with his parents,” he said.

Hayes explained the book was intended to provide objec- tive information about Curtis and Franz in order to shed some light on the events which lead to their sentencing.

“Bruce found himself in an exceptional situation and re- acted according to the only value system he knew. On July 5, 1982 a gun which Bruce was holding accidentally discharg- ed and killed his friend’s mother. That same gun later discharged by accident in the courtroom in the hands of the prosecutor,” he said.

Curtis is reported to be a “model prisoner” at the Bor- dentown N.J. state prison. He

fills his days by studying for a Queen’s University correspon- dence course, and writing let- ters for other inmates while teaching them to read and write themselves.

Hayes said when he sent the book to the Curtis Family, they sent an 18-page document out- lining corrections. He said he used some of these and ignored others.

Hayes said, “I was looking for what had prejudiced the courts against Bruce. I found some things which I believe were some rather macabre versions of schoolboy pranks, and a diary which could have belonged to any seventeen- year-old boy, which the courts used against him.

“Naturally the family would not want anything negative about Bruce to come out. I think the family understands now

what! was doing,” said Hayes.

Thursday, January 22 1987

An account of a homosexual fantasy in Bruce’s diary was considered a “turning point” in the case which may have prejudiced the court.

Ann Curtis said the book “comes across positive’ over- all, adding her family “just felt it lacked balance.”

She said while the book may help get Curtis out of the U.S., he will likely not want to read it.

“Bruce doesn’t want to read a 350-page book on why he’s in prison. He knows why he’s in prison and he doesn’t want to think about it,” she said.

The Curtis family has un- successfully appealed the case twice. A habeas corpus peti- tion was filed on April 10, 1985, but has not yet been heard. The Habeas corpus hearing could result in Curtis’ being sentence being commuted to time already served.