Assailant expelled from Nakamura co-op

The memory of the physical altercation that took place at the Nakamura Cooperative on Dec. 1 still resonates through the halls of the house at 807 S. State St.

The encounter involved a female resident of the house and her boyfriend, who entered the house legally, but later kicked down a neighbor's locked door, Nakamura president Michael Russo said yesterday. They then accosted the room's two inhabitants, the president alleges.

The boyfriend, whose name has not been released, apparently was stabbed subsequently in self-defense, Russo said, by one of the room's occupants with what has been described as a three-inch knife.

"I think it was a Swiss army knife, but it was on the table next to his bed, and he grabbed it because he saw the boyfriend reaching for it," Russo said. "There was always trouble with her."

None of the four persons involved with the stabbing were associated with the University although most of the house residents are University students.

The girl, who was "already planning to leave town," was released from her contract by the Inter-Cooperative Council prior to the incident, said Nakamura's former secretary who asked not to be named.

The two assailants, the female and her boyfriend, were arrested at the time.

"Nobody has been charged with anything as of right now," Russo said. "The girl has moved to California. She was only living here for the fall semester."

The female involved was expelled from the house Dec. 13.

"We expelled the one member whose friend got stabbed and who instigated the stabbing," said the former house secretary. "We took no action against the house member who did the stabbing because it was in self-defense, and the police aren't taking any action."

Ann Arbor Police Department Sgt. Michael Logghe said yesterday he could not provide information on the incident.

The expulsion from the Nakamura house prohibits the girl from living in the Nakamura house or any of Ann Arbor's other cooperatives.

"It was more of a formality since she was moving out. It was just to say that she could no longer live in the house," Russo said.

As a result of the stabbing, the ICC has "recommended a number cap for non-students," for the Nakamura house, said Bonnie Denler, ICC director of member services.

"Non-students, historically, have a poorer payment record," Denler said. "Student members are better behaved and have better payment records."

The final say over the expulsion and future quotas on non-students is in the hands of the residents of the Nakamura house. The ICC has little influence over the process.

As for the Nakamura house and its future, things remain largely the same as before the incident.

"It could have happened anywhere," Russo said. "We live in a college town. There are things that go wrong all over campus."

The house has undertaken a remodeling project, has improved lighting and has 11 spaces open this semester.

01-12-99