Austin American-Statesman from Austin, Texas • 12

I Austin Ameri Monday, February 2, 1981 Inventor retried for Sides line up in perpetual fraud By JIM PHILLIPS American-Statesman Staff The bizarre case of Arnold Burke gets under way again today in Belton, as the state tries one more time to convince 12 of Burke's peers that he is a liar. Burke and his staunch supporters have worn a path in and out of the Bell County Courthouse during the past 18 months, white the Texas Attorney General's Office has tried to prove his invention, dubbed Jeremiah 33:3, is a fraud. Jury selection begins today in the trial for aggravated perjury. Burke contends his machine, a blend of pumps, pipes, lightbulbs and faith that needed only water to operate, could generate electricity at virtually no cost. What did cost was the right to distribute the machine, and Burke divided up the country and sold more than $800,000 worth of promises to people who were to sell the machine when it was completed.

The state said, "There is no such thing as a free lunch, in physics or anything else," and began their investigation in summer 1979. An on-and-off, seven-week civil hearing followed, ending abruptly in December-1979 when a concealed electric water pump powered by batteries hidden in another room was found. Burke was arrested, and his property was placed into receivership. Ten felony indictments, eight alleging theft by deception and two charging aggravated perjury, ensued. In late May and early June 1980, 11 days of jury selection, testimony and jury deliberations resulted in a deadlocked jury, with one holdout saying he believed Burke to be innocent.

Burke had testified that he had installed the electric pump only days before it was discovered and destroyed his purported "miracle" pumps to prevent losing patent rights. In September 1980, a retrial began with three days of jury selection. However, the afternoon before testimony was to begin, attorneys for Burke and the state Austin woman, 22, An Austin woman died early Sunday when her car struck a utility pole in the 1900 block of West Anderson Lane. The car was wrapped around the pole and she was trapped inside, EMS personnel said. The woman, Lynise Ann Martin, 22, of For The Supreme Court Phase ll Membership! Monday, February 2 is the last day for The Supreme Court Racquet Club Fitness Center Phase Membership.

That means, NOW IS THE TIME TO JOIN and take advantage of the terrific Phase I1 Pre-Opening savings. Phase Ill memberships sales begin February 3 and will be substantially higher. Don't miss this opportunity to join in the fun and save with: SPECTATOR COURTS INDOOR SWIMMING POOL SAUNA, WHIRLPOOL, STEAMBATH NAUTILUS FITNESS FOR MEN WOMEN GAME ROOM PRIVATE LOUNGE SUPREME COURT PARTY You are invited to join in The Supreme Court's membership party Monday evening, February 2, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the Conquistador Room at The Hilton Inn. Stop by for free refreshments and membership information. CALL NOW FOR DETAILS 835-4113 NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND OPENING SOON AT 9700 N.

LAMAR THE FINAL DAYS A Legislature focuses on crime bills Associated Press Gov. Bill Clements' attempt to undo a rape decision that "outraged" Texans goes before a House. committee today. In fact, the governor's anti-crime program will be the big attention-getter in the 67th Legislature's fourth week. The agenda looks like this: Clements' bill to set up halfway houses for parolees and restrict the independence of the six parole commissioners probably will get Senate floor action today or Tuesday.

The House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence will hold a hearing Tuesday on the governor's bill to raise penalties for sexually abusing children and revise the law on aggravated rape. On Wednesday, the House Intergovernmental Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on Clements' bill giving local governments control over distribution of pornography to minors. David Dean, the governor's general counsel, said Texans were outraged by a 1979 Court of Criminal Appeals decision in a rape case. Tasteful gathering Jan Reego pours a taste of wine for Donna Lane as Pat Hand sniffs the bouquet of another glassful Sunday at a benefit for Fifty California wines and 1 Texas wine were sipped at the benefit at Highland Mall. Staff Photo by Jim Dougherty case of Jeremiah 3:33 agreed to a plea bargain, and Burke pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge and agreed to pay $37,000 to his two most vociferous investors-turnedcritics.

The deal, which was agreed to by a court-at-law judge, also held that the Attorney General's Office would move to dismiss the 10 felony indictments. The office tried, but 27th District Judge C.W. Duncan, who had sat through all the previous criminal proceedings, said in no uncertain terms that he did not agree. He ordered the state to prosecute the case at hand, whereupon then Assistant Attorney General Will Flowers promptly rested the state's case without calling any witnesses. The jury had no choice but to find Burke not guilty of the charge.

dies after car hits pole 1001-A Bird Creek, died in the EMS ambulance at 2:28 a.m. The accident was reported at 2:02 a.m. Police are investigating. Services will be at 12:30 p.m. today at Cook-Walden Funeral Home.

THE supreme court RACQUET CLUB AND FITNESS CENTER The court reversed an aggravated rape conviction even though the 24-year-old victim was beaten and dragged naked down a gravel road. The court said the rape was not "aggravated" because the rapist did not display a knife or gun or inflict "serious bodily injury." SPECIAL INTRO INTRODUCTORY RY OFFER 4, MONTHS This is a complete membership with use of ALL Facilities. be 21 or older. Offer not available to previous members or guests. Regular member available at discount until 2nd.

unit. PERSONAL EXERCISE PROGRAM RELAXATION Regardless of your desired results Went to relax slip into our your Trim and Swim program will Pool and begin with one of our trained fitness Hydro-Swirl let the bubbling water consultants designing a program just massage your body. Also for you. promoting relaxation are the Finnish Sauna and Romon AEROBIC PROGRAMS Steam Room. If Aerobic Conditioning is your thing then Trim and Swim is the place.

Your choice will include bicycles, treadmills, swimming pools, circuit aerobic dance for women. weight training and Hours of Operation 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. Daily with weekend hours also available. TRIM FITNESS AND REDUCING PROFESSIONALS FOR 19 YEARS AND SWIM 5407 CLAY AVENUE 454-5141 INSTANT CASH EXCHANGE YOUR GOLD AND SILVER TODAY! WE'RE AUSTIN OWNED AND OPERATED, HOMETOWN PEOPLE! WE'LL GIVE YOU FAIR, HONEST, AND COURTEOUS SERVICE BEWARE OF -NIGHT HOTEL OPERATORS.

WE'RE WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE FOR YOUR GOLD AND SILVER. WE PAY INSTANT CASH FOR GOLD RINGS, DENTAL 10K, AVG. 14K, GOLD, 18K, INSTANT JEWELRY, PLATINUM 22K CASH ETC. ARE YOU SITTING ON A PRICES FOR CLASS RINGS LARGE COLLEGE GOLD MINE? LARGE CLEAN OUT YOUR JEWELRY BOXI SMALL MEDIUM 50-70 ISN'T CASH IN YOUR HAND BETTER THAN SCRAP JEWELRY? THE BEST TIME TO SELL IS WHEN YOU HAVE A WILLING BUYER WE NEED GOLD SILVER COINS! YOUR COINS DESPERATELY NEEDED FOR OUR INVESTORS! STERLING SILVER NEEDED! FLATWARE HOLLOWARE WE WILL NOT BUY STOLEN MERCHANDISE. TEA SETS FREE: REGISTER TO WIN 10 ONE OUNCE GOLD COINS CALL U.S.

SILVER BAGS BARS NOW! 108 OUR BROKERS PROVIDE PERSONAL INVESTMENT ADVICE AUSTIN GOLD SILVER EXCHANGE North Office: Suite 503 (Top floor) Community Bank Bldg. 314 Highland Mall Blvd. 458-2186 South Office: 4422 Pack Saddle Pass (off Ben White Between Lamar Manchaca) 447-2101 A.