Trial Set, Inquiry Delayed For Professor In Assault

The trial of a School of Public Health (SPH) associate professor who allegedly punched an undergraduate in the mouth has been scheduled for mid August in Cambridge Third District Court An internal SPH investigation has been postponed until the criminal proceedings are completed

The court decided last week in a preliminary hearing that there was sufficient cause for a criminal complaint for assault and battery against Robert C Repetto associate professor of Economics and Population for allegedly striking David L. Parker '85

SPH Dean Howard H Hiatt had also originally planned to start an investigation immediately, but University Vice President and General Counsel Daniel Steiner '54 said he suggested that Hiatt wait until after the trial because of Repetto's Fifth Amendment guarantees against self incrimination

Two weeks ago Repetto in an interview admitted that he had struck Parker in the lobby of The Crimson where Parker serves as associate business manager saying. "Of course I hit David," but Friday he declined to say how he would plead at the opening of the trial He refused further comment

The alleged incident occurred after Parker had Repetto's car towed from The Crimson's private parking lot next to the SPH's Center for Population Studies where the associate professor works Repetto allegedly into The Crimson grabbed Parker shouted an onscenity and punched him once before running out of the building.

"I lost my temper and did something that I regret Repetto said during the interview earlier this month adding I didn't wait to get all the facts

The blow split Parker's lip which required one stitch at University Health Services

Repetto if convicted of assault and batters could face up to a year in jail with the severity of the penalty depending on whether the judge decides the case should be a felony or a misdemeanor a Middlesex County Court official explained

Steiner refused to speculate how the University could discipline Repetto as he is ready scheduled to leave He said that he knew of no precedent for Repetto's alleged action

One of Parker's lawyers Andrew Greisinger said Friday that his client is also considering pursuing a civil suit to recover damages