The Nation : $8-Million Bonds Set for 2 in School Siege
Two jobless men were being held under $8.4-million bond each for a schoolhouse siege in which 80 youngsters were taken captive in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Police said the men--James L. Harvey and John Rhodes Jr., unemployed and largely strangers to each other--were charged with 84 counts of kidnaping each in the daylong siege at West End Christian School. Assistant Police Chief Ken Swindle said the counts were for the540553248hostage when two armed men wearing ski masks burst into the schoolhouse Tuesday morning. Harvey was transferred to a state mental ward for a psychiatric examination, while Rhodes remained in jail. The siege ended when Harvey, apparently fooled by a phony pardon from Gov. Guy Hunt, was wrestled down by police as he left the building. Rhodes surrendered earlier when police offered him money.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
