`uplifting,' Award-winning Play Explores Life In The Age Of Aids

Allentown Central Catholic Conquers Wvw

Thursday, December 07, 2000 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





MAHANOY CITY - Two men accused of beating a mentally disabled janitor to
death in 1995 waived their rights to preliminary hearings Wednesday before
District Justice William Slezosky. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Harrison Huff, 30, and Thomas John Wills, 38, both formerly of Hazleton,
will stand trial in the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas. They face the
following charges in the death of Oliver Lee Surkala: criminal homicide,
criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault, robbery, robbery of a motor vehicle,
kidnapping, receiving stolen property and theft. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Schuylkill County District Attorney Claude A. Lord Shields said Wills
planned to have a full hearing, including testimony from Huff, but he changed
his mind. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Surkala's body was found in Lofty Creek in Schuylkill County on July 14,
1995. Eight days later, Surkala's car was found partially submerged in a pond
near Frackville. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

2 Charged In Beating Death Waive Rights To Hearings