Det danske Fredsakademi
Kronologi over fredssagen og international politik 24. August 1970 / Timeline August 24, 1970
Version 3.523. August 1970, 25. August 1970
08/24/1970
Charged With Arson & Murder, Karl Is Back
On August 24, 1970 at 3:42 AM, an explosion rocked the Army Mathematics Research Center at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin.
The explosion destroyed the center, long a target of anti-war activities, and resulted in the death of one researcher working that night. Shortly afterwards, FBI Director, J. Edgar Hoover, announced in Washington that the bombing was the work of the New Year's Gang and he identified the members of the gang as Leo Burt, David Fine, Dwight and Karl Armstrong.
In February 1972, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrested Karl, who was working as a lathe operator in a Toronto machine tool shop. In June of 1972, extradition hearings were held in Canada in order to send Karl back to face charges of first degree murder and four counts of arson The Canadian Extradition Act states that 'No fugitive is liable to surrender... if it appears (a) that the offense in respect of which proceedings are taken under this Act is one of a political character, or (b) that such proceedings are being taken under with a view to prosecute or punish him for an offense of a political character.
The prosecution called many witnesses who testified that the bombing was not political and that the anti-war movement was nothing but 'students letting off steam', and 'street dancing and general rejoicing.' In spite of strong evidence of systematic anti-AMRC activities and strong political movement, the judge ruled. 'It does not seem reasonable... that the bombings would have any political connotations..., writes Winter Soldier, 1973:6.
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