Treason in Detroit

75 years ago, 1942: The first death sentence for treason under an 152-year-old federal law was imposed upon German-born Max Stephan, the 49-year-old Detroit man who betrayed his adopted country by befriending an escaped Nazi prisoner of war. The court ruled that Stephan be hanged at the federal penitentiary at Milan, Mich., Nov. 13.50 years ago, 1967: Engineers were putting the final touches on the San Luis Dam in the central California foothills, the first key unit of the most expensive and complex water distribution system ever undertaken by man. Its purpose - to solve California's water problems for the next 20 years.25 years ago, 1992: Female lawyers, clients and judges faced bias and harassment ranging from disparaging remarks to unwanted sexual advances, a survey showed. About 60 percent of the female lawyers questioned said they had faced unwanted sexual advances or other harassment in the past five years. Six percent said they were harassed by judges.10 years ago, 2007: Iraq's power grid was on the brink of collapse because of insurgent sabotage, rising demand, fuel shortages and provinces that were unplugging local power stations from the national grid. Official spokesman said power generation nationally was only meeting half the demand, and there had been four nation-wide black-outs over the past two days.