Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1898-05-31
THE THRAWLEY CASE
WAS REOPENED BY THE
STATE THIS MORNING.

after Having Been Closed Iss.er.
dey Afteinoon-A Large Mum
Der OF Witnesses for Rebutial
Placed on the Stand Shoema-
kers Character-Mrs. Thraw-
ley's Character Interesting De
yelopments.
The Thrawley case is still on. The
s-Ate occupied all yesterday afternoon
vsn rebuttal testimony. Some twenty
glflesses were on the Stand, and all
testified AS TO the character of Rufus
Shoemaker, and his reputation for
psses and quiet. All gave him q good
resu.ation. The character of Mrs.
Ttrawley was also discussed, and the
vi tTi,-ssrs were almost unanimous in
SAYING that previous to the time of the
tr able they had never known the
woman and had not known Anything
OF her, but that since that time her
rsratation had not been good.
The character of John Thrawley
was not called into question, as, owing
10 the fact that he had not been per-
mssed TO testify, there was no occasion
for the introduction of any testimony
as 70 his character. He having given
no testimony, his word could not be
impeached. The failure Ct the defense
TO place him on the stand, and their
refusal to permit him to go on the
stand IN his behalf, created considera
bic comment. ana was something of a
disappointment to the state, as they
had "a large number of witnesses re adv
to testify as TO the mans character.
They would have given him a very bad
reputation had they been permitted to
testify as to the character of John
ThrsWley.
Another point brought out by the
deferee when they had their witness
on t5e stand was that there were pow
der N arks on the right side of Thraw-
ley's head when he was placed is the
Jail st New Castle. This had been
used as evidence that he had been
hard pressed in the struggle between
and Shoemaker, and that he
had drawn the revolver back beside
his head 10 shoot in self-defense. The
state brought out by one witness in
rebuttal that Thrawley had stated in
the Jal that he lad had an accident
some live years ago, in which a gun
tube bnrst when he was about to fire
it, and that the powder had lodged in |
the ska at the right side of his face.
lnsl -ad of opening the case this |
morning as the state had anticipated,
the witness that was to have gone on
the stand for rebuttal was not called,
it not being deemed necessary 10 call
him. The opening plea for the state
was made by Prosecutor Kirkman.
who tad the story of the killing as the |
state and its witnesses had made it,
with a detailed dissection of
the egslspcs- The points made by the
the minutest detail, each being viewed
in the light of the refutation furnished
by the state and her witnesses. The
argument began at 9: 10 and lasted till
noon.
Thrawley is intensely angry at the
witnesses for the state. Last night
when tho evidence for rebuttal was
through he stated to the sheriff that
the stories of the witnesses were false.
He said that one man who had testified
TO seeing the powder marks on his
{ (Thrawley's) ace when they were set
ting a pump, was not within FIVE miles
of himself or the pump at the time.
The prisoner looks weary today
and as if he wished it were all over.
The attorneys for the defense
took notes carefully on the argument
of kirkman, and il is expected that
Brown and Forkner will make strong
pleas in behalf of their client. Thraw
ley occasionally turned to his attorney,
Mr.. Brown, and whispered something
in his ear. TIE mans face has look
of stolidity naturally, 80 that it is hard
to tell by his countenance whether
there is a lack OF emotion entirely or
any change of such emotions as may
exist, He is still game, so far as may
be ascertained. and is expected to re.
main so till the last.
Prosecutor kirkman ended his ha-
rangue at noon and the next speech
was made by Prosecutor Steele. of
New Castle. He male strong plea
that lasted most of the afternoon 1t is
understood that there willIbe two il not
three of the speeches for the defense,
and Attorney r. A. Jackson, of this
city i'll close for the prosecution. The
case will not get to the jury before to-
morrow n ght or Thursday at the
earliest. 1t is not expected that the
jury will be out long in consideration
of the case.