April 12, 1997

Court-martial of Staf Sgt Delmar Simpson in Aberdeen, Maryland, on 58 charges of sexual abuse involving 21 women, is also center of debate on whether Army is haven of order or has become, as defense contends, environment fraught with double standards in which women use sex to gain power; prosecutor Capt David Thomas portrays drill sergeant as calculating predator who used his almost unquestioned authority to exploit young vulnerable trainees; he is charged with 19 rapes involving 6 women; defense says Simpson had only consensual sex with willing, even eager, recruits; he has pleaded guilty to having consensual sex and to five cases of sexual harassment, and faces dishonorable discharge and prison term in any case, but prosecution details forcible rape charges that could bring life sentence; defense also says some of women invented stories; photo of defense team; unspoken is race issue: Simpson is black and most accusers are white (M)

Gov John Rowland and Connecticut lawmakers agree to take over Hartford's failing school system, disssolving local school for first time ever and appointing state trustees; state Supreme Court has ruled state must address situation; one of city's three high schools is losing academic accreditation and system has worst statewide test scores, even though it ranks among highest spenders per pupil; about 95 percent of students are black or Hispanic; legislative committee also approves choice program allowing inner-city students to attend suburban schools if there is room; offers more funds for magnet and charter schools and pre-school education (M)

Mystified Air Force officials say that pilot Craig Button apparently was in control of his A-10 Thunderbolt from time when plane broke formation over Arizona until very end of 90-minute flight to Colorado Rockies; map; plane was last seen zigzagging through sky, probably running out of fuel, in way that suggests deliberate, if irrational, act; Button flew bomb-laden plane low and straight, radio silent, as far as fuel would carry him into Colorado; search, hampered by bad weather, focuses on New York Mountain near Aspen, where people report seeing plane or hearing explosion; locator beacons were off and Button appears to have made no effort to land in safe spot, seek help or bail out; 32-year-old captain has unblemished record and family on Long Island believes he is alive (M)

The European Union and the United States reached agreement today on a plan to resolve the dispute over sanctions against Cuba that has troubled trans-Atlantic relations for more than a year. Under a provisional accord that was announced here and in Brussels, the Europeans agreed to suspend a complaint against the United States that had been scheduled to go before the World Trade Organization on Monday. But they reserved the right to revive the complaint if negotiations between now and Oct. 15, designed to reach a broad, mutually acceptable policy, do not succeed.

Photos of opening day at Yankee Stadium; Yankees lose to Oakland, 3-1, in 12th inning