WRC junior to be tried in '97 for possession of alcohol

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by Joy Williamson

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Will Rice College junior Michael Shannon was arraigned in court last Friday. He has been charged with the possession of alcohol by a minor. Shannon was stopped by Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission officers when he accompanied WRC senior Arpit Shah to buy alcohol for the Rice Program Council Rodeo Party.

Shannon said the arraignment was held to determine his plea and set a court date. Shannon entered a plea of not guilty and requested a jury trial. The trial was set for February 1997.

Shannon does not yet have a lawyer, but he said that "Rice has some lawyers who volunteer to help students, and one gave me advice." The university itself, however, will not offer any legal help.

"Rice told me it was my own problem," Shannon said.

Shannon expressed disappointment in the university's reaction to his case, citing his actions as undertaken in the service of the RPC and the Rodeo Party, which was registered with the Office of Student Activities. According to Shannon, the registration form for the party identifies him as a host of the party; therefore, he was "functioning under the auspices of Rice University" according to the form.

Associate Student Center Director Lisa Jones said, "My understanding of the alcohol policy is that Mike as a host of the event is responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the alcohol policy are followed. ... I don't see purchasing of alcohol as something that Rice has asked him to do."

Jones said she told Shannon specifically "not to get involved in the purchase of alcohol because he was under 21." Jones is an advisor to the RPC and the Socials Committee.

After the incident, Jones talked to the Rice legal counsel on Shannon's behalf. Though the Rice counsel replied that the university was unable to defend Shannon, he was provided with a list of lawyers who assist Rice students.

"I have tried to support him; at the same time, he did not follow my advice. We have a good relationship, but I have to act as a staff of Rice," Jones said.

Nevertheless, Shannon is confident that he will not be convicted. He plans to use in his defense the fact that the alcohol was locked in the trunk rather than in his possession and that it was purchased for an official party.

Shah, who purchased the alcohol, was also scheduled for an arraignment on Friday. His charges were dropped due to a technical mistake on the part of the officer assigning his court date.

Jones said she and RPC co-advisor Mona Hicks plan to suggest that the RPC adopt at least an informal policy to govern future alcohol purchases.

This item appeared in the News section of the March 22, 1996 issue.

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