Cornell Men Allegedly Assault Sophomore

Two Cornell University students allegedly assaulted a Harvard undergraduate at 45 Dunster Street early yesterday morning, according to University police.

Bruce C. Hilton '94 was on his way to meet a friend at about 12:15 a.m. when two young men wearing red Cornell jackets allegedly confronted him.

Hilton told the police that the youths, Edward Berkey and John Busse, began asking him repeatedly if he was a Harvard student. When Hilton said he was, Berkey and Busse allegedly attacked him.

Kicked in Stomach

The assailants allegedly struck Hilton in the face and upper body, and knocked him to the ground when he tried to escape, police said. While on the ground, they kicked Hilton in the stomach, the chest and the rib cage before he fled, police said.

After seeking refuge inside a Kirkland House entryway, Hilton contacted Harvard police.

They located Berkey and Busse and arrested them outside of Eliot House.

University police said they released the accused on their own recognizance.

Hilton declined to comment on the case yesterday, saying that he plans to press charges against Berkey and Busse.

The Cornell students are scheduled to appear in Cambridge District Court today to set a date for their arraignment.

According to police, Busse said he had sustained an injury to his shoulder earlier that night after being ejected from a party at the D.U. Club, one of Harvard's nine all-male final clubs.

When asked about Busse's comments, D.U. club member Gary R. Shenk '92 said there had been a confrontation at the club's entrance on Saturday night.

"A group of guys from the Cornell lacrosse team tried to come into our party through the downstairs entrance," Shenk said.

"At first they were reasonable, but then some more Cornell guys rushed through the door and one pushed me against the wall," he said.

Gate-Crashers

According to Shenk, about 30 other D.U. members came to his assistance and pushed the gate-crashers out the door.

"They looked very intoxicated," Shenk said. "It was obvious the only reason that serious violence was averted was that all the other D.U. members came to help."