Judge Upholds Spy Case Ruling

SAN FRANCISCO —  U.S. District Judge John P. Vukasin today refused to overturn his ruling that the government must prove that Jerry Whitworth knew the Navy secrets he allegedly passed to John Walker went to the Soviet Union.

Vukasin also refused to halt Monday’s scheduled start of jury instructions to give the government time to appeal. Assistant U.S. Atty. William Farmer said he would immediately ask the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to block closing arguments and jury deliberations until the question is settled. Farmer said Thursday that he feared the judge’s ruling created a “significantly greater chance of acquittal.” (Story, Page 30.)