The
S TUDENT P RINTZ www.studentprintz.com
SERVING SOUTHERN MISS SINCE 1927
April 5, 2012
Volume 96 Issue 50
ON CAMPUS
Supreme Court Justice visits campus Stormy Speaks Copy Editor Wednesday night, United States Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia spoke to a packed house in Bennett Auditorium at the University of Southern Mississippi. The event, titled “The Methodology of Originalism,” was sponsored by the Honors College. Originalism is the philosophy that seeks to discover the original meaning or intent of the United States Constitution. In his speech, Scalia lamented that the Constitution is malleable to the demands of society and argued that it is not a living document. It is something not subjective to change, and, according to Scalia, it is ignorant to believe otherwise and only “exaggerates the difficulty of the meaning” of the item being interpreted. He stated it is essential to know the original meaning of the document, and to do so one must know history to understand what was originally intended by the nation’s Founding Fathers. In order to make a decision on an issue, he said justices need facts from historians and that it is the court’s responsibility to evaluate
those facts. From there, a decision can be made. In other words, history is the basis of originalist thought and must be used in order to make a fair and accurate judgment. Scalia also explained that lawyers and judges should be trained in interpreting text and not in philosophy and morality, stating plainly that the law is about the law. Throughout the evening, Scalia employed this sort of straightforward, blunt approach in his speech and during the question and answer session. His no-nonsense, verbose manner is something he is known for in the court, but with that also comes his famed sense of humor. For instance, when asked about the other justices, he quipped, “They’re not bad people; they’re just wrong.” Scalia’s speech was generally received with positive comments by students. “His explanations of originalism, and how it used to be the norm in the U.S., has inspired me to look harder at the theory of a ‘living constitution,’” said sophomore marine biology major Ryan Parker, who attended the forum and also had the opportunity to dine with Scalia before the event. “He was a very open and entertaining dinner
Angel Speaks/Printz
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia speaks at USM’s Bennett Auditorium Wednesday evening.
guest, full of great stories and insights about our country, particu-
LOCAL
larly our media culture.” This was Scalia’s first time to speak at Southern Miss. He has had previ-
ous engagements at William Carey University and Presbyterian Christian School in Hattiesburg.
Tyner denied bond in restaurant shootings Scott Tyner, the 44-yearold who is accused of shooting five people at a restaurant Monday, made his first official court appearance Wednesday afternoon. He has been charged with five counts of aggravated assault in the shooting, and his bond was denied by Judge George Schmidt in Hattiesburg Municipal Court. Tyner, a Hattiesburg native, allegedly walked into Cucos Mexi-
can Restaurant off U.S. 49 Monday around 3:30 p.m. and began firing at random. Five people with gunshot wounds were taken to Forrest General Hospital where one was listed in critical condition, one in fair condition and three in good condition Tuesday evening. As Tyner left the courtroom downtown Wednesday afternoon he told reporters he was sorry about the incident. “I’m very sorry,” Tyner said in handcuffs while being escorted by Hattiesburg police officers back to the jail. “I heard none
of them died and I’m happy to hear that. I’ve heard a couple are in critical condition, and I hope they come out okay.” When a reporter asked Tyner why he shot the people he answered, “Out of my mind, real angry, drunk.” Tyner added that he confessed to the police about the incident. Hattiesburg police say they do not have a motive for the shooting, and they are not releasing what type of gun was used. Cucos co-owner Trish Mussiett was in the restaurant at the time of the shooting and said the shooter had
some sort of handgun. “He never said a word,” Musseitt said. “It was just a lot of chaos.” Musseitt’s husband, Ricardo, said six employees were present at the time of the shooting, and the bartender followed the shooter and kept him in sight until Hattiesburg police arrived. Tyner was being held in the Forrest County Jail without bond Wednesday night, and he has been ordered by Judge Schmidt to undergo a psychological evaluation before any preliminary hearings in the case.
FASHION
TITANIC
RAIN DELAY
WEATHER
Mary Margaret Halford Executive Editor
Thursday
83/57 Friday
79/53 Saturday
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Go to www.studentprintz.com to see video from WDAM of Tyner leaving the courthouse Wednesday afternoon.
INDEX
Calendar ........................ 2 News .............................. 3 Feature .......................6,19 Fashion............................7 Opinion .........................20 Arts & Entertainment....21 Sports............................22