pn (01/16/83)
This topic seems to be appropriate for net.women. I am summarizing from the San Jose Mercury News, Jan 16, "NOW leader haunted by her past", by Katherine Ellison and Scott Herhold. Ginny Foat was arrested on Jan 11, 1983 in Los Angeles in connection with the murder of Moises Chayo, a 62-year-old Buenos Aires industrialist, who was reported missing Nov 23, 1965 in New Orleans. Her companion at the time and former husband John Sidote claims they fractured Chayo's skull with a tire iron after Chayo resisted their demands for money. Foat was arrested and unsuccessfully prosecuted in Neveda in 1977 for the murder of San Francisco businessman Donald L. Fitting, Dec 19, 1965. Douglas County District Attorney Brent Kolvet had planned to rely primarily on the testimony of Foat's former husband Sidote, who had agreed to testify in exchange for a reduction in charges. Sidote backed out after receiving a 25 year sentence. (note that Sidote only served 4 years of his sentence and then got out on parole) Foat's supporters insist that her prosecution now is pure politics. Gloria Allred, a former NOW chapter president, said "It's interesting that it happens now when we've just got a conservative governor. They never would have dared to ask Brown to extradite her." Allread speculated that Louisiana authorities might be bringing up the charges again because of Foat's campaign to boycott states that did not ratify the ERA, including Louisiana. Chris Faulconer, a state coordinator for NOW, said "I don't have any idea if she's innocent or not. And I think it's totally irrelevant." Her friends - among them prominent women's leaders such as former White House adviser Midge Costanza - have rallied round her, raising funds for her defense and accusing police of singling her out because of her politics and visibility. Your comments are invited. phil ngai ucbvax!amd70!pn
bcw (01/18/83)
From: Bruce C. Wright @ Duke University
Re: Ginny Foat
A couple of my comments :
1) If she is really guilty, then she should be held responsible for the
actions just like anybody else.
2) However, the government of Louisiana has repeatedly demonstrated
itself to be one of the most troglodytic organizations in the US -
I would not be at all surprised if the state was doing this solely
to harass her.
3) Although it may never happen, it might clear the air if the Federal
or some other more neutral court system took up the case rather than
let Louisiana and California slug it out.
Bruce C. Wright @ Duke University