In interviews last week, Dickson and othersclose to Grant in South Carolina said the recentDunster murder-suicide, in which a junior killedher roommate and then herself, serves to vindicateGrant.

"The timing is ironic. The situation at Harvardwas murder, Gina's situation was a self-defensesituation," Dickson said. "Gina would be one ofthe safest students on campus because Gina is nota killer. Gina is in a situation where she had todefend her life."

"Harvard has a hole in [its] intellectualarmor," the uncle added. "They teach psychology atHarvard. Wouldn't they be aware of Gina'ssituation? They rely on newspaper clippingswithout all of the facts. That's ironic."

"It's embarrassing to Harvard because it showsyou cannot predict behavior," said Jack B.Swerling, Grant's defense attorney during hermurder trial in 1990. "There are people among useveryday who are capable of acting out violence.Anyone involved in domestic killings knows thatany violence acted out is solely against theabuser. Those people are not a threat to anyoneelse."

"Harvard was unjustified if they rejected Grantfor fear of future homicidal acts. That homicideoccurred in special circumstances and she is notlikely to kill again," agreed Dr. Harold C.Morgan, a psychiatrist who examined Grant duringher three-month stay at Baptist Medical Centerpreceding her trial.

Curtis R. Chong contributed to the reportingof this story.