The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-27
CRONIN SUSPECTS IN COURT
Kunze, Coughlin, 0'Sullivan, Burke and
Woodruff Ask Separate Trials.
Each of the Prisoners Asserts Innocence of
Any Completely in the Crime They Are
Charged With-A Slight Delay.

CHICAGO, Aug 26.-Probably no case in
the annals of criminal history in Cook
county has attracted more widespread at
tention than the Cronin murder and the
deep mystery in which it has been en-
shrouded. That this interest has in nowise
abated since the disappearance of the un-
fortunate physician on May 4, was demon
strated by the multitude that clamored for
admittance at the portal of Judge McCon-
nell's room at 10 o'clock this morning. The
united -remonstrances of two bailiffs were
necessary to keep the mob at bay at the
foot of the stairs, and ever and anon some
unterritied individual even made it neces-
sary for the determined officers to resort to
the alternative of personal force in order to
keep the irate person from enforcing what
he considered his inalienable right of view
ing the wheels of justice in their majestic
motion.
Promptly at 10 o'clock there was slight
rustic at the door of the judges private en-
trance, and the crowd tip-toed in expectan-
cy as deputy sheriff entered the room
and cleared the way for the appear
ance of the prisoners who were to answer
to the grave charge of wantonly numbering
human being. A moment later the door
was thrown WIDE open, and the traveller
Burke, the loauacious Woodruff, the taci-
turn Coughlin. the demonstrating Beggs.
the silent OSullivan and the indignant
Kunze entered and took their places facing
the court, and in the order named.
What is the business before the court
this mOrningw queried Judge Mcconnell,
as innOcently as though he did not expect
the Cronin case to be called until some
time next year.
"If the court please" said States Attor-
ney LOngenecker, advancing to the front,
II have received notice from three of the
defendants in the CrOnin case asking a sep
arate trial, and saying that they would APP
ply for a separate trial on the opening of
the court this morning. Their application,
presume, is on tile."
''If your Honor please" said attorney
Donahoe, Il desire, before an argument for
a separate trial. to present motion on be-
half of my client, John KunZe." Mr.. Don
the court fOran order upon States Attorney
Longenecker to compel the latter to fur
nish Kunze with q copy Of the minutes or
memoranda of the testimony taken before
the grand jury which found the Indictment
against said Kunze; or of any testimony
which in any way tended to prove the
guilt of said Kunze; OF to allow the counsel
OF kunze TO examine the testimony OF such
witnesses before the grand jury whose evil
nicfv IN az any Kmay MAY TO prove the
The motion also asked that the States at
torney furnish the names of the witnesses
whose testimony tended to the indict-
ment of said Kunze. Mr.. Donahoe then
Mr.. Kunze recited that he never knew Dr..
Cronin during the latter's. lifetime. never
heard of his existence until after his disap-
pearance on May 4, and that he was en-
tirely innocent of any complicity in or
Kunze's affidavit closed by asking that his
counsel be allowed to see the minutes of
the testimony before the grand jury. on
which he was indicted, In order that he
might prepare his defense. The States
trials be passed upon first.
Counsel for detective Dan Coughlin then
read long affidavit. setting forth what he
believed to be the theory of the prosecu-
his client was tried with the other defend.
ants. it would involve the introduction of
testimony which. while inapplicab!e TO
Coughlin, would nevertheless prejudice his
case. Counsel then read an affidavit by
COughlin himself, asserting his innocence
of any completely in the crime.
Counsel for Patrick O'Sullivan next read
an affidavit by his client asserting that GER
tain evidence to be introduced against
others of the defendants would be prejudi-
cence of the crime charged. This was fol-
lowed by an affidavit by one of O'Sullivan's
attorneys. offering the prejudicial charac-
ter of evidence to be introduced, affecting
OSulIiyan's case, in case he should be tried
with the other defendants. but which
would be inadmissible if he were tried
alone.
Counsel for Martin Burke also submitted
afndavits asking for separate trial for the
suspect, stating that they were similar in
character TO those presented in the other
cases; a similar application was made
in behalf Of Frank Woodruff.
At the request of the States attorney, the
hearing was adjourned in order TO give him
time 10 prepare his argument in opposition
to the motion for separate trials.
states attorney was feeling i'll, and asked
the postp0nement be for week. This was
vehemently opposed by counsel for the de-
fense, and the court fixed Wednesday as
the date for resuming the hearing.