As predicted in the last issue of the Fifth Estate [FE #102, April 2-15, 1970], Dave (Mad Bomber) Valler and several other co-defendants pleaded guilty to reduced charges arising from a series of Detroit area bombings in late 1968.
Valler was convicted for possession of dynamite and sentenced to two to five years in prison to be served at the same time he is doing his seven to ten for two counts of possession of marijuana. This is like getting no sentence whatsoever on the dynamite charge.
While in prison, Valler, who conceived of, planned and led all the bombing raids, has been writing articles for the Detroit News about the evils of psychedelic drugs and youth culture.
Except for Jack Forrest, the rest of the accused were also given light sentences because of what Judge Joseph Maher called their “repentance.” They pleaded guilty to attempted conspiracy to possess explosives.
Michael Cullens was sentenced to 1-1/2 to 2 years. He will serve his sentence concurrently with the two years he is now serving for auto theft. William Ladd, Anthony Daghyt, and Joseph Clever each were given three years probation and $200 in court costs.
John Schmittroth and Ron Pierce are expected to receive short terms at a training school or else probation, depending on what their probation report shows.
Charges were dropped against Jim Moscara.
The only defendant left in the state case is Jack Forrest, who pleaded innocent to the charges of conspiracy to place explosives. Conviction could bring a twenty-five year maximum sentence.
Valler is expected to be the main witness against Forrest in the state case and also against Forrest and Sinclair in a Federal charge of conspiracy to dynamite the Ann Arbor CIA office.
White Panther Minister of Defense Pun Plamondon, who is charged with the actual act of blowing up the office, remains at large and is the object of an extensive man-hunt by the FBI. Rumors persist that Pun is on his way to meet with another political fugitive, Eldridge Cleaver.
Related
Bombing Witness Charges Cop Payoff, FE #103, April 15-29, 1970, this issue]