Beyond the South End

By TED SYLVESTER

(This column appeared in the Bangor Daily News on April 16, 1976)

A Rockland man has returned home after spending the winter in San Francisco, where he enjoyed a couple of unusual experiences – spending a day as a spectator at the Patty Hearst trial, and a weekend trip to Las Vegas, Nev., where he watched Dean Martin being roasted in a show at the MGM Grand Hotel. While our friend declined to be identified here, his experiences and observations are well worth sharing.

At the Hearst trial, the spectator section is limited to just 60 persons. This led some to stand in line all night outside the courthouse, and then “sell” their place in line the next morning for $20. Our friend got a chance to attend the trial through the acquaintance of a N.S. marshal. The day he attended, Defense Attorney F. Lee Bailey had prosecution witness Dr. Joel Fort under cross-examination. Our friend termed Bailey’s performance very impressive as he attempted to discredit the psychiatrist’s testimony.

The San Francisco press has engaged in considerable speculation over Bailey’s fee for defending Patty Hearst. One paper quoted Bailey as saying he was being paid $100,000 plus expenses by Randolph Hearst to defend his daughter. Other reports placed the fee at $8,000 a day, plus expenses. Included in the expenses were complete accommodations at San Francisco’s finest hotel, and a Cadillac purchased for Bailey by Hearst for the lawyer’s use.

Two paragraphs in a San Francisco Chronicle article by Jerry Carroll describe Bailey:

“Patricia Hearst is on trial, but it is the magnetic Bailey who dominates the 170-seat courtroom, his powerful baritone rising and falling like a cathedral organ. He moves in a jaunty strut, perilously near a swagger, the handsome leonine head with its tuffy sideburns seeming too large for the meaty 5-foot-8 frame.

“Bailey is dressed on this day in a beautifully tailored dark blue suit with vest and a violent orange and white tie that shouts in polka dots and stripes like an anarchist in a board room.”

Our friend termed his visit to the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas as “unbelievable.” A brochure lists the hotel as “a $100 million dollar fantasy.” It features 2,100 rooms and 376 suites. There are six restaurants, swimming pools, tennis courts with all the frills. Guests have their choice of six 18-hole golf courses. Our friend went to the show as a guest and didn’t know about the costs. An indication of what it costs might be compared with the price of two drinks our friend purchased - $15.

Ever wonder what questions kids would have for a judge? The student body of Rockland District Junior High School was given this opportunity following a presentation of a mock juvenile hearing designed to give the young teenagers an insight into the workings of the court. The judge was Paul A. MacDonald of Sixth District Court.

The first question asked was how long had he been a judge, which is 11 years. He was asked what qualifications were needed to become a judge, and how were they selected. The 12, 13 and 14-year-olds were told that one must first become a lawyer and then “lucky” enough to be appointed by a governor.

The students wanted to know what the maximum sentence one could receive to boys’ training center, what was the youngest age at which a person could be sent there? The answer was that terms to the center are indeterminate with the person’s behavior dictating his release. The state has the power to keep an offender there until he reaches the age of 18. The youngest an offender can be sent there is 11. The judge was then asked what about those under age 11? What does he do with them? He said in these cases it is usually a matter of parents unable to handle the child and in such circumstances he transfers the custody of such children to the state.

During the dramatization a youthful offender was stopped for suspected probation violation and searched by an officer. A package of marijuana was found in a pocket. The students questioned the judge afterward on the legality of such a search. In this particular instance, the judge said, where an officer has probable cause to suspect an offense has taken place (probation violation) he has the right to “pat down” a suspect to check for any weapons.

The judge was asked what was the most common crime committed in the Rockland area by juveniles. Judge MacDonald said he believed it was criminal larceny, many times involving breaking and entering. Also listed was shoplifting and vandalism.

A question was asked was it a crime for someone to “give” marijuana to a friend. The answer is yes. Even to give a friend marijuana is considered a sale.

Finally a student asked what would happen if someone tried to bribe a police officer. The judge advised that this was a very serious crime and that anyone brought before him for such a crime would be “sent away.”

The judge’s appearance at the school was one in a series of projects promoted by the Chamber of Commerce – sponsored CYC committee (Community and Youth Communications) where a group of concerned people are attempting to open up the line of communication with the youth of today and to stem the tide of an increasing crime rate in the coastal area.

Did you see it last Sunday during the televised Boston at Baltimore baseball game? It was during one of those periods when the TV camera scans the crowd. The camera zoomed in on one sign that read, “I am from Rockland, Maine.” The message was read over the arena speakers by Red Sox announcer Dick Stockton.

Have no idea who the two people were holding the sign. One was a young man who appeared to be in his 29s., wearing a baseball cap and red warm-up jacket. He was also sporting a “Luis Tiant” moustache. If anyone can shed any light on the identities of the displayers, we will be happy to pass it along.