The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-02
THE M'MULLEN MURDERS.
Grounds on Which Dennis, Convicted
Accomplish, Asks New Trial.
Coffeys Third Confession, in Which James
Rankins is Named as the Murderer
Peculiar and Unusual Case.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

CRAwFoRDsvILLE, July 1.-The argument OF
the motion for new tria, in the case of James
Fl. Dennis, convicted as an accomplish Of John
| W. Coffey, in the murder of McMullen and wife,
| began this morning before Judge W. p. Burton.
| thenew trial being asked on the ground of newly
| discovered evidence. In the affidavit out Of
which came these proceedings, Dennis testified
that on June 10 two ministers, john I. Phillips
and Charles L. Jackson. came to the Jail, wenh
into Coffeys cell, and talked with him, and thai
the substance of Coffeys statement overheard
| by him tDennis) did nothing to implicate Dennis
in the killing of the McMullens, that deed having
been done by James Rankins, father-in-law OF
Dennis, who shot them both with revolver,
firing four shots in ALL The two firms, Doty s.
Thornton and Wright & Sellars, appeared for
Dennis, while the motion for new trial was op-
posed by A B. Anderson, prosecuting attorney,
assisted by Michael D. White and Paul s.
Humphreys.
The court room, although such proceedings are
usually formal and undressing was filled by
| an eager and attentive crowd The case of Dem
mis- is a singular one, and as the time set for his
execution approaches the impression grows in
the community that the action of the jury, con-
sidering evidence, was altogether too
sanguinai Ills view is generally held by the
newspape As of this city. with whom your
correspondent talked, Denniss conviction being
upon the almost unsupported evidence of the
convicted murderer Cofey.
In hearing the arguments for and against the
new trial, Judge Burton appears to be giving
the lawyers the greatest latitude, doubtless de-
termining that the life of the convicted man
shall not be jeopardzed by any bubble or
technicality.
Rev. Charles L. jackson, one of the two minis
ters referred to in Denniss affidavit, was called
to the witness stand and read statement ques-
tons asked by him and his colleague of John w.
Coffey, and answers given by him. This new
statement the third that Cotfey has made, is in
Substance as follows:
''That he had in his previous statements only
given the truth in part. That besides Dennis
and himself others were implicated. These
others were James Rankns, an old man, father
in-law of Dennis, Monday RanknS and John
Curtis. The Sunday before the murder took
place Coffey Jim Dennis, Monday Rankns and
John Curtis were at Mrs. Rankinss near the
barn. Jim Dennis suggested to Coffey to GO and
steal some chickens at James McMuien's and
! an appointment was made 20 meet on the follow
| ing Wednesday night at the barn Of neighbor
named Fritts. The subj ect of murder was not
mentioned though Coffey said that Dennis told
him that sMcMuen had some money, and pro-
posed that they get it. They met at the barn,
and the old man, James Rankins, was along.
James Rankins proposed to Coffey to watch
| while they got the money and they would give
| him (Coffey) a part. He agreed to this and the
party walked west of Peter Mansions stable.
| and through Jimmy's (the murdered man'sS
wheat field to his house. to the front gate. There
Cofey says ne was left to watch
heard a revolver fire four times. Then no went
up to the house. and just as he went TO the door
he saw McMullen lying in the east room. He
stepped back and old man Rankins came out and
said, got her on the rum meaning Mrs.
McMullen Then the party turned round and
went back into the house. Both Mr.. and Mrs
McMullen were shot where their remains were
| found. Then the murderers searched the house.
first looking in trunk for money. The money
was found. about 5000. Old man Rankins put it
in his pocket James Dennis took box off the
safe. 1t had thread of different colors in it,
Coffey asked and got spool of it, and Dennis
put the box in his pocket Coffey took littlo
box from the bureau; it had few pearl buttons,
three nickes and ten coppers in it. Coffey put
that in his pocket Most of the fellows says
Cofey. were tieing up bed clothes liz bundles to
carry off. There was a lot of wearing clothes
hanging up Coffey took down pair of pants
and Dennis threw pair of boots tohim. Coffey
put the pants and boots on-the same after
wards found upon him. There was a pair of
suspenders on the pants. Dennis took some
yarn and put it in his pocket. John Curtis car
ried off u small bundle. James Dennis carried off
another, and old man Rankin third. Coffey
helped carry the largest bundle to the barn.
They then returned to the barn at Fritts's Then
Monday Rankins and John Curtis said they
were going back to burn the house down. Old
man Rankins, James Dennis and Coffey re-
NAMED at the barn. Dennis told Coffey he had
better take off those clothes (McMullens} and
throw them away. Old Jim Rankins drew a
| revolver on Coffey and said if he told anybody
on him he tRankinsl would kill him (Coffeyl.
The old man told Coffey to be at Win
gate next night Thursday, and he would
give him (Coffey) his share of the money Went
to Wingate, but the old was not there
Stayed ali night at Fritts's. Dennis and old
man Rankins went from the barn carrying their
bundles. Suppose they went to Mrs Rankinss
When Coftey went to bed he saw the McMulen
house burning. Don't know where the bed
clothes are; among the Rankins set somewhere.
Have never seen old James Rankins since The
reason Coffey did not connect the Ranknses with
the murder in his second confession was he
says, because he was afraid of them. The under
standing on leaving the barn was to got Mc-
Mullen's money There was no plan. but the
money was TO be got. Cofey says nobody told
him anybody was going to be killed"
This is the third statement Coffey has made.
and he says this statement---which has not been
sworn to-is true. His first statement, made to
the coroner under oath, states that both murders
were committed by himself alone and unassist-
ed, and that no other person knew anything
about them His second statement was that he
and Dennis went together to McMuen's That
he (Coffey) stood outside and watched, and Dem
mis- did the killing This is the statement that
Dennis was convicted upon. The third state
ment is tho one brought before the court to-day.
Dennis was very close observer of the pro-
ceedngs today He is swarshy complexioned
man of middle size, black hair and ,nustache and
about twenty eight years old He is quiet, re-
served appearing man, cool, self possessed, and
may be worse than he looks, but is certainly
character not easily read.
Ellis Gray, who has been watching Coffey
since his conviction and has hadf