Magistrate Dismisses Charges Against Pair In Canoe Controversy

Charges against two University students for obstructing an officer in the performance of duty were dismissed yesterday by the Third District Court in East Cambridge.

Roger G. Burkholder '66, was arrested Sunday when he asked two policemen to stop shouting at Mrs. John M. Francis, who was canoeing illegally on the Charles. Her husband, John M. Francis 4G, was also arrested when he refused to tell where the canoe had been launched.

When he opened the case, the presiding judge indicated that he would dismiss charges if no civil action, such as contention of false charges, was brought by the defendants. Francis and Buckholder refused the waiver, because, Francis said, this would "encourage policemen to continue false arrests."

After policemen Paul Welch testified for the Metropolitan District Commission, the students' lawyer, Andrew Trodden, rested his case. The judge dismissed the charges for inadequate evidence.