Lampoon Prank Draws $35 Fine

A Harvard sophomore was fined $35 in East Cambridge District Court yesterday for his part in a Lampoon stunt which consisted of the holdup of a phony Santa Claus in Harvard Square last week.

Maurice C. Thompson '60 was found guilty on both counts of assault and battery, and disturbing the peace. Judge Harry Lack imposed fines of $25 and $10. Thompson appealed the sentence.

Testifying for Thompson was Lampoon Circulation Manager John A. Herbert, who explained that the alleged holdup was a part of the magazine's Fool's Week initiations. Santa was another Lampoon candidate.

While passing judgment, Judge Lack commented, "In view of the fact that he is attending college, he should have known better than to carry out such a prank."

Police have claimed that Thompson would have been shot if the officers at the scene had been able to clear the crowd. "This was not a gag," said Acting Chief Richard J. Linehan.