History professor murdered outside hotel in New Orleans, AP, The Town Talk, 14 Apr 1979

History Professor Outside Hotel in NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A history professor from Maine was murdered outside a posh New Orleans hotel when he apparently told an armed robber who demanded his money, "You've got to be kidding.' The victim was identified as Ronald Banks, 45, of the University of Maine, former chairman of the Maine American Revolution Bicentennial Commission and an adviser to the state attorney general on the Maine Indian land claims dispute. He was attending the annual meeting of the Organization of American Historians here and had just returned from a tour of the French Quarter when the shooting happened. He was accompanied by another professor from Maine, John W. Hakola, but Hakola was not hurt. Police said the two were at the door of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, next door to the Superdome, about 9 p.m. when they were approached by two men. One pulled a pistol and demanded their money. Murdered New Orleans Police said Banks apparently said, "You've got to be kidding.' "'We don't know if a scuffle ensued or not," said detective John Dillmann, "*but Banks was shot once in the face and the assailant fled without taking anything.' The coroner's office said the bullet went in the left eye. Police said there are no suspects and few leads. They are looking for two black men in their early 20s. One was described as 5 feet 9, slim build, wearing a black shirt and a white sailor cap pulled over his forehead. The other was said to be about 5- 9, 150 pounds, wearing a white shirt and blue jeans, also wearing a white sailor cap. KALLFELZ