The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 1

ft weekend High, 71; low, 55 Yesterday High, 70: low. 55 The Chuc kle Hollood bedtime story. "Once upon a there were three bears Mama Bear. Pspa Bear and Baby Bear, by a previous marriage" ffte 0 Lord is, rHw LbertyU Cor 117 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1S84 it it it it VOLUME 82, No, 123 Copyright 19S4 Tl Indianapolis Star fiec.t a Df iivf of 0 JO MGJC DUEtO 2c 1971 murders of 3 businessmen 1 HE Star Ex-resident tied to brutal slayings ings "LaSalle Street Murders' have baffled police for 13 years, Page 16 lr I I rr i 1 Gierse Willi Ml I I Hinson By KYLE NIEDERPRUEM David A. LaFever.

a 48 year old Utah resident with alleged connections to organized crime, is a suspect in the 1971 execution style slaying of three Indianapolis businessmen. Investigators say statements LaFever reportedly has made to relatives, along with other evidence, lead them to believe the former Indianapolis resident may be tied to three of the most publicized murders in this city's history. Suspicion has centered on La-Fever in those slayings and two other homicides since an investigation into the alleged sexual mistreatment of his 12 year-old "adopted-daughter in Flagstaff, Ariz. Coconino County (Ariz.) authorities learned that LaFever "constantly talked of being--a hit man and involved with organized crime," said Terry C. Hance, Coconino County's chief deputy attorney.

On the night the so-called "La-Salle Street Murders" were discovered in Indianapolis, LaFever reportedly told several relatives, "I did a job; I have to get out of town," Hance said. La FEVER AND his wife of 17 Still kept close at hand in Strode's desk drawer are two thick notebooks filled with information on the slayings, along with vivid photographs of the victims' wounds. Much of the work on the case dealt in shadowy leads that were never resolved: an anonymous call to police headquarters by a man claiming to be the killer, three suspicious men who were seen in a car outside the victims' home shortly before the murder, connections to stolen equipment and indications of an organized crime "contract" In July, Strode began hearing of other criminal investigations that focused on LaFever, a man who has followed an "inconspicuous" lifestyle, working under federal programs for the blind in cafeterias and gift shops, traveling with roadside carnivals and receiving welfare assistance. "1 don't think we've come close to everything (the LaFevers have been involved with)," Hance said in telephone interview with The Indianapolis Star. OTHER investigators agree.

In Sacramento, Sgt Gary A. Beckman is looking into the 1965 disappearance of LaFever's half-brother, 19 year-old Ronald J. Cole. "The reason we think Ronnie Cole has been murdered is because David has bragged to other family members that he killed him," Beck-man said. "All we have right now is the case of a missing person," the investigator said.

He added he will meet with members of the state's justice department to coordinate all information being gathered on LaFever's activities and acquaintances. Stvtfiont tnfermatiwt David A. LaFever Suspect in 1971 triple murder years, Margarett Nadine Skaggs LaFever, are awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to charges of sexual exploitation. LaFever and his wife have maintained their innocence on the sex charges, saying they pleaded guilty to spare their four other children the trauma of a jury trial. Months after the couple's arrest on Oct 12.

1983, LaFever came under suspicion in several murders, including the brutal LaSalle Street slayings of Robert W. Hinson 27; Robert A. Gierse, 35; and James Barker, 26. The bodies of the three businessmen, two of whom were part owners of a microfilm service company, were found Dec. 1, 1971, in a modest home at 1318 LaSalle Street with their hands and feet bound, gags over their mouths and their throats slashed.

After 13 years of dealing with inconclusive leads in the case, Lt James M. Strode of the Indianapolis Police Department's homicide division is cautiously considering the new information. "I'M IN contact with the investigators there. It will go slowly," the 20-year police veteran said. Strode said he may question LaFever in the case, depending on how the information develops.

junior high Parade will high school p.m. today a Astronauts fix, release satellite on 4th attempt i mi Tig -v' 1 Flower children Marching children fill U.S. 40 in Greenfield with a parade of flowers. The Courthouse Square became a huge flowerbed Friday as they carried bouquets to the James Whitcomb Riley statue. The annual parade is part of Riley Days Festival, which continues this weekend.

Running events are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. today at the Barker "We know he has been all over the United States, from Alaska to Florida." Beckman said. In Indianapolis, the couple had at least four different addresses. In the primary election of 1971, Mrs. LaFever ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for City-County Council.

In an article in The Indianapolis News, she described herself as a "21 year old housewife and former meatcutter and wrap-per. SHE WAS listed as the mother of three sons and a member of the See SLAYING Page 16 year-long Earth observation mission. The craft cannot function properly in space without its electricity producing solar panels fully extended. Crippen, making his fourth shuttle flight was joined by pilot Jon McBride and crew members Ride, Kathryn Sullivan. David Leestma.

Paul Scully Power and Marc Gar-neau. who became the first Canadian to get a shuttle ride. "THE CONSENSUS of the rookies on board is that that ride's worth at least three 'E' tickets (at Disneyland)," said Sullivan of the crew's flaming ascent. Crippen said a 3 foot strip of insulation peeled away from Challenger's right-side rocket pod during the climb into space and a tile appeared chipped on the leftside pod. Otherwise, the shuttle appeared shipshape for its eight-day mission.

NASA officials said that area of the pod will be subjected to temperatures of about 600 degrees during descent, which should not cause any significant damage when the shuttle makes its searing glide home. THE Earth Radiation Budget Satellite ERBS is a $40 million science station designed to determine how solar energy influences the planet's climate. The interplay of solar energy and its absorption and reflection by Earth make up the planet's "radiation budget" and powers Earth's climate. Subtle energy "deficits" or surpluses can have wide-ranging ef- See SHUTTLE Page 7 Baseball Playoffs AMERICAN LEAGUE Detroit Tigers 1 Kansas City Royals 0 Detroit wins series in three straight games. Details in Sports Section serve GM The consequences of allowing GM to choose its electricity supplier also would be an invitation to other customers throughout the state to shift from one utility to another as rates fluctuate, creating "havoc" for the utilities, United warned.

A statewide association of REMCs has been allowed to intervene in United's behalf. State Rep. Jeffrey K. Espich, R-Uniondale, in a letter to the PSC, cautioned against breaching United's territory. Unless United is clearly not capable of serving GM adequately, the REMCs territory should not be tampered with, said Espich.

His district encompasses numerous REMCs, but not the GM site. PUBLIC SERVICE Commission See UTILITY Page 7 Congress fails to pass money bill By WILLIAM HARWOOD UPI Science Writer Cape Canaveral, Fla. A record crew of seven flew the shuttle Challenger on a blazing predawn into orbit Friday and later salvaged the mission of a $40 million climate-watching satellite by freeing its frozen solar wings. But the shuttle fliers wound up their busy first day in space without knowing the fate of a high-tech radio antenna that apparently failed late in the day. The antenna is used to beam television and experiment data to Earth.

"It appears we've lost power and we're having trouble commanding it into position," flight director John Cox said. Troubleshooters worked into the night lo find a way to fix the antenna, which must be able to lock onto a NASA communications satellite to beam data to Earth. Cox said he did not know what impact the loss would have on the mission experiments if the antenna cannot be brought up to speed. THE HIGH point of the day came when astronaut Sally Ride released the Earth Radiation Bud get Satellite, carried aloft in Challenger's payload bay, from the end of the shuttle's robot arm at 5:18 p.m. EST about three hours later than planned.

"A super job on the release," said David Hilmers in mission control in Houston. On the first attempt to release the boxy science station, both of its solar panels refused to unfold on command. After three unsuccessful tries, the panel latches were warmed by sunlight and the 12 foot-long rectangular arrays snapped into place one at a time like great butterfly wings. "IT'S COMING, it's trying," Commander Robert Crippen said before the first panel fell into place. "Crip just wanted to draw out some suspense," Ride said.

Moments later, the second panel locked down, saving the satellite's right to Most importantly, United has raised the issue of "territorial integrity." It claims is trying to steal a plum from its neighbor and that a 1980 state law was designed to prevent such raids. UNITED POINTED out it has served the area where GM will build for 50 years. In a pact the Public Service Commission never formally approved, and United resolved territorial lines. At issue is whether the PSC may change those terms without both utilities' consent. When there was no territorial agreement by March 1983, a midpoint was established and new customers were to be assigned accord-' ing to which side of the midpoint they were on.

GM moved into United's side of the midpoint. borrowing power from lapsing. Without passage of both bills. Congress cannot go home for the year. DISAGREEMENTS between the White House and congressional Democrats over Central America, defense spending and the measure's overall price tag kept House-Senate conferees from reaching an accord on Friday.

Congressional leaders were less than optimistic over a quick resolution of the impasse next week, now that the momentum of a week of marathon work has been broken. Some suggested that the first debate between President Reagan and his Democratic challenger, Walter Mondale, could have an impact on Congress' deliberations, depending on the outcome. Star plttti by Frank H. Fits school, and the Riley Days begin at 1 p.m. downtown.

A band contest is scheduled at 4 at the high school. AND THERE remained the possibility of a presidential veto of the spending bill, one that leaders agree, could not be overridden. As it became clear that members were not going to be able to get away as planned this weekend, partisan bickering intensified. "It's been mean. People are at each other," said Sen.

Robert Hasten, one of the conferees. And Rep. William E. Dannemey-er, manuevered to block an effort to bring up a short-term bill that would guarantee there would be no further disruptions in government services through 6 p.m. Tuesday unless Democratic leaders agreed to bring up a proposed constitutional amendment for a bal- See MONEY Page 16 than the competitor, United REMC of Huntington.

IN ADDITION, rates would be as much as one-third lower than United's for the next few years and would be more predictable, according to a GM consultant GM complained that United buys its power from the financially-troubled Wabash Valley Power Association, which is heavily in debt due to investments in the canceled Marble Hill nuclear power plant. United's rates therefore are subject to forces beyond the utility's control, according to GM. United has replied that its power supply will be reliable, even if it won't have Wabash Valley's share of a nuclear plant to draw on. United has even volunteered to buy power from By TOM RAUM Associated Press Writer Washington The 98th Congress lost another battle with the clock Friday as members failed to resolve the nation's spending crisis to meet their planned adjournment target The lawmakers, therefore, will have to return next week to finish the job, instead of going home to campaign for re-election. MAJOR DIFFERENCES in this election year between Democrats in Congress and President Reagan sent lawmakers into overtime.

"I've got plenty of time. I've already missed my weekend schedule," said Assistant Senate Republican Leader Ted Stevens of Alaska. "And I've had just enough sleep to get mean." THE WEATHER Joe Crow says: Congress didn't adjourn on time and that gives us a little relief from all that election-year hot air between now and Nov. 6. Indianapolis Cloudy today with 60 percent chance of rain; high, 71.

Wet overnight; low, 60. Indiana Goudy today with a chance of afternoon rain; highs 75. Wet overnight; lows, 57-63 Details on Page 53 CRIME ALERT-9 II One third of Senate seats including Stevens' are up for grabs in November, as are all 435 House slots. Congress had intended to quit for the year on Friday, and the pace on Capitol Hill had become fast and furious as the final day approached. BUT THE failure of House-Senate negotiators 1o reach agreement on a $500 billion measure needed to keep most of the government solvent through the fiscal year that began on Monday made that impossible.

Instead, both the House and the Senate will return on Tuesday to take another stab at approving both the emergency spending bill, called a "continuing resolution," and legislation to raise the national debt ceiling to prevent the governent's Index Arts, Leisure Bridge Jumble 36 Landers 20 LifeStyle ......19,20 Movies 13-15 Obituaries 33 Religion 9-11 Pharmacy 33 Sports Statistics 53 TV-Radio 17 Weather .........53 6 Classified Ads 37 53 Comics 25 Crossword 53 Doonesbury 36 Editorials 12 Finance 1.. 21-24 Horoscope 36 TELEPHONE numbers Circulation 633 9211 Main Office 633 1240 Classified Ads 633 1212 Scores-After 4:30 p.m. 633 1200 TODAVS PRAYER With the loss ofva loved one, remind us, Lord, to look for the beauty and gentleness left to us rather than what we iave lost. Thank You for watching over us. Amen.

Territory is at heart of issue 2 utilities fight for By HOWARD M. SMULEVITZ A dispute over which electric utility will serve a new General Motors plant near Fort Wayne seems at first glance to be a fight between two utilities vying for a major new customer. But the competition for business is actually a battle over "territorial integrity" between Indiana and Michigan Electric Co. and GM on one side, and the Rural Electric Membership corporations on the other. GM wants to serve the truck assembly plant at a 937-acre site, five miles southwest of Fort Wayne.

1 The automaker contends that as' part of the multi-state American Electric Power System, offers a more stable source of power.