The Galveston Daily News from Galveston, Texas • Page 3

Court challenge Friday Morning, June 11, 1982 ie 3-A Lawyers, educators seek order blocking California crime initiative SAN FRANCISCO (AP) As a public defender warned of "chaos" in the courts, a state appeals panel has been asked to block a new voter-approved law that gives crime victims a "bill of rights" by cutting down plea bargains and relaxing evidence rules. A ruling is expected from the state Court of Appeal within days on Wednesday's challenge of Proposition 8, which was enacted by California voters Tuesday by a margin of 56 percent to 44 percent. The appeal, filed by two prominent defense lawyers and the head of the California Teachers Association, seeks an order barring the law from taking effect. Critics of the sweeping law, which also allows victims to collect cash damages, predicted it will create jammed courtrooms and prisons and force big cost increases on cash-starved state and local governments. State Deputy Public Defender Charles M.

Sevilla, not a party the appeal, said Wednesday he expected "chaos" in the court system. He called the measure far-reaching and vaguely worded, inviting legal challenges "limited only by the imagination." Los Angeles County District Attorney John Van de Kamp, the Democrats' candidate for attorney general, predicted "a welter of confusion" for some time as judges struggle to apply the law. But Paul Gann, who was a co-author of California's tax-slashing Proposition 13 in 1978 and is author of the crime measure, called the law's challengers "the people we've been fighting" and said Proposition 8 was a long-needed "deterrent to The law also creates a right to safe schools, Auto accident in county injures 3 restricts use of insanity as a defense and grants murder victims' relatives a right to testify at sentencing and parole hearings. The challengers say the measure violates the state constitution, mainly because it is not limited to one subject, as required. "We are asking for a stay until the issues can be resolved," said noted San Francisco defense attorney Ephraim Margolin.

If the court agrees with Margolin that the measure covers more than one subject, the entire initiative would be tossed out. In an unsuccessful state Supreme Court suit to keep the initiative off the ballot, three of the seven justices including Chief Justice Rose Bird dissented and agreed that it violated the constitution. If the current challenge fails, the case would almost certainly be appealed to the same seven justices. Happy Birthday MARJORIE KUPSA By SUSAN HAIRE News Staff Writer HITCHCOCK people were rushed to Memorial Hosptial of Galveston County in Texas City following a head-on collision on Highway 6 early Thursday evening, police said. John Sturdebant of Waco reportedly was in surgery late Thursday.

His condition was not known. Lewis Davidson and his wife Billye, both of Hitchcock, were listed in stable condition. The accident occurred in the 4700 block of Highway 6 at about 6 p.m. Sturdebant's Ford Falcon was westbound on the highway and Davidson's Ford van was eastbound when the two collided, according to reports. Police said Sturdebant's vehicle reportedly swerved into the left lane before the collision.

FIVE ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES LA MARQUE Five persons were arrested on drug charges Thursday. as a result of a joint investigation by the La Marque and Galveston police departments. This is the second time in the last three days that lawmen have uncovered small caches of marijuana in La Marque residences, according to reports. Willie Dimes, Emily Dimes, Larry Simpson and Herman Thompson, all of La Marque, were charged with felony possession of marijuana after a search warrant was executed at their home about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Bond was set at $20,000 each. Sidney Aldridge, also of La Marque, was charged with misdemeanor possesion of marijuana in the Subscribe Today Call 744-3611 ISCHREIBER FURNITURE same incident. His bond was set at $500. Lawmen said the arrests were made after a five-week investigation. A search of the residence at 2809 Virginia reportedly netted more than two pounds of loose marijuana, 500 rolled marijuana cigarettes and a "quantity of assorted pills." In an unrelated incident, two men were arrested for possession of marijuana about 11 p.m.

Tuesday in La Marque, lawmen reported. The arrests were made after a search warrant was executed at the Kingston House Apartments, police said. ARSON SUSPECTED DICKINSON Arson is suspected in a blaze that destroyed three vacant structures at 2116 Bass Road about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Galveston Sheriff's Department officials said. The three buildings were totally involved when firefighters reached the scene.

Damage was estimated at $2,500, deputies said. TRAILER STOLEN SAN LEON A travel trailer valued at about $6,400 reportedly was stolen between 6 p.m. Monday and 4:20 p.m. Wednesday, police said. Clothing and furniture valued at $2,000 also were taken, according to reports.

The trailer was parked in the 300 biock of Avenue when it disappeared, officials said. 65th ANNIVERSARY SALE IS GOING ON NOW AND YOU'LL FIND TREMENDOUS SAVINGS ON ALL STEREOS TELEVISIONS IN STOCK! BUY NOW SAVE! LUCKY WINNERS OF A $25. GIFT CERTIFICATE TERESA GAIL JOHNSON LA MARQUE PAULINE BATISTE GALVESTON Alleged 'hit man'teamed with mobster FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) A free-lance "hit man" alleged to have carried out about 100 murders was teaming up with a renegade mobster to challenge established organized crime gangs in South Florida, police said Thursday. Detective Sgt.

Ken Kreulen of the Wilton Manors police force said Bernard Hunwick, 37, was working with a "renegade" Mafia man from Chicago organized crime. He didn't identify the man. "They were going to hit known organized crime soldiers to show how big and bad they are and how they're going to take over extortion and cocaine," Kreulen said. Kruelen said detectives believe a hit squad directed by Hunwick is responsible for the May 15 slaying of Diego "Richard" Messina, a reputed member of a New York organized crime family. Messina, his throat slit, was found stuffed in the trunk of a car here.

Police arrested Hunwick, a husky, blue-eyed blond, late Tuesday in his $250,000 suburban home in Plantation. His wife, a former Playboy bunny, and their two children were home at the time, police said. Hunwick was in jail Thursday pending a bond hearing on charges of attempted murder, kidnapping and armed robbery of a 34-year-old man police say was left for dead along isolated Alligator Alley last. month. The man survived, and told detectives Hunwick headed a hit squad responsible for 300 contract murders.

Investigators said material from informants and papers seized from Hunwick's home and his Lincoln Continental led them to link Hunwick to as many as lOOslayings. Broward authorities, working from informant tips and alleged "hit lists" seized after the arrest, were trying to gather information on other slayings. Some materials seized mentioned possible victims in New York, Boston, Lafayette, and elsewhere, investigators said. Fred Haddad, Hunwick's attorney, said: "I think ge'll be vindicated at trial." "I've represented him before, but nothing like this," added Haddad, who said he has been Hunwick's attorney since 1977. The attorney said Hunwick worked in an exclusive dress shop owned by his wife on Fort Lauderdale's Las Olas Boulevard.

In a news conference Wednesday, Broward County officials said Hunwick didn't accumulate his wealth from selling fine dresses, but rather by buying underworld debts for 50 cents on the dollar, then collecting. In their search of Hunwick's home, investigators said, they found a "hit list" and a black leather "hit kit," containing an automatic pistol, handcuffs and brass knuckles. Detectives also seized six more guns, one a high-powered rifle; three bombs, including a hand grenade made from a beer can; two silencers and $12,000 in cash. They also found information sheets about targets, including debts owed and planned "punishment," said Sheriff's Sgt. Dale Adams.

Investigators said Hunwick and his associates bought debts for half the amount owed, then took the money from the debtors and killed them. Adams said for some murders Hunwick was paid fees of $3,000 to $5,000. Investigators released one letter, from an unidentified man, found at the Hunwick's home. Addressed to Florida's attorney general, it said a man named Barry, nicknamed "The Bear," was trying to collect "a fabricated drug debt of $100,000." DIETER OF THE WEEK BEST WEIGHT LOSS SUZANNE DENNIS of LA MARQUE We can help YOU be a winner, too. For a free introductory consultation: The Diet Center 945-0995 2705 Palmer Texas City 77590 Marci Vandevelde Counselor RICH, VIVID COLOR FROM THIS 10 G.E.

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Charlie Campbell said officers were called to a house because a nude man was in the yard blasting a pickup truck with a shotgun about 3:30 a.m. The man reportedly shot at the patrol The Galveston Daily News Founded in 1842 Texas' Oldest Newspaper Dedicated to the growth and progress of Galveslon and all of Galveston County. Published every morning by Galveston Newspapers 8522 Teichman Road. P.O. Box 628, Galveston, Texas 77553.

Second class postage paid at Galveston, Texas. Associated Press is entitled exclusively to the use or republication of all the local news of spontaneous origin printed in this newspaper. Subscription rates by carrier, $6.50 per month; by mail, $72.00 per year anywhere in the continental United States, SW.OO per year outside the U.S. Telephone 744-3611 The Galveston Daily News welcomes letters to the editor. These should be limited to 300 words.

car as it pulled up. When Officer Pat McElhanney left the car, he was hit in the right arm and shoulder by a shot from a shotgun. McElhanney was rushed to the hospital where doctors performed emergency surgery to save his arm. Officers said the pickup truck, which belonged to the man's girlfriend, was heavi- ly damaged by gunfire by the time they arrived. Backup officers called to the scene said they shot the man at least three times during a Shootout that lasted 10 to 15 minutes.

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