Second-degree murder charges were being filed against a Kansas University freshman in the case of the death of a KU senior. The senior, 21-year-old Bruce Douglas, had been killed by gunshots on the morning of Nov. 4. The man charged, 25-year-old Andrew Hill, had described himself as the “best friend” of Douglas. According to unofficial reports, Hill had told officers that he had been “messing with” the gun, a .22-caliber semi-automatic rifle, and that it had jammed, then had started firing and would not stop. Hill had been in his apartment’s bedroom closet at the time, and the shots had gone through the wall into the next apartment, striking Douglas six times in the chest.

KU’s class president, Jim Nichols, announced that traditional caps and gowns would be worn by graduating students at KU’s 99th annual commencement. In previous years, several senior classes had had the opportunity to vote for or against the traditional garb, but in the year 1970, no vote was taken. Nichols said that students who did not wish to wear the caps and gowns would not participate in the commencement exercises, including the traditional walk down the Hill.