The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-26
state VIII Demand n Verdict of Muir
der i'm the First Degree, with
Extreme Penalty.
OBJECTION TO SPECIAL vENIRE
THE TESTIMONY INDICATES A COLD
FLOODED DEED.
Courtroom Filled When the Case Was
CaIIed-Other Cases in the
County Courts.

The Criminal Court room was crowded
yesterday 10 hear the trial of James john
son, colored, known as 'Chappy" Johnson,
who is charged with the murder Of Joel
Combs. I'm Haughvfle. The State will en-
deavor TO have Johnson hanged.
Before the trial began Frank McCray,
appointed to assist Pauper Attorney Amos
Hines I'm defending Johnson, filed a motion
10 quash the special venire from which the
Jury was 10 be selected. He charged that
the venire was Illegally drawn. He said
that the names were not well shaken in the
box. and when names were drawn that
were not suitable they were cast aside.
The first venire was exhausted before
enough men had been selected for a jury,
and an additional venire Of fifteen was
drawn. Judge Afford overruled the motion.
He called Attorney McCray's attention to
a request that ne had made when the We
nire was drawn. McCray had asked that
IL any of the men selected were residents
of Haughville they be dismissed. When
the names of residents of Haughville were
drawn they were thrown out, and this was
what McCray objected to in his motion.
Judge Afford said the jury should stand,
as there was nOIntlB lleBdl ABOUT lie
drawing. and that the names cast aside
were Objectionable jurors to the defense.
McCray did not deny that he had made the
request.
1t was after 2 O'Clock in the afternoon
before the case was ready for trial. john
son sat behind his attorneys. and nearly all
of his side Of the courtroom was occupied
by negroes. Prosecutor Ruckelshaus, Dep
uty Prosecutor Benedict and Henry Spaan
represented the State. Ruckelshaus con-
Quoted the examination for the State and
McCray for the defense.
STATES CASE OUTLINED.
Prosecutor Ruckelshaus. in his opening
statement TO the jury. outlined the case
and said the state would demand a verdict
OF murder in the first degree. He said the
jury would be expected to hang Johnson
and that he believed such a verdict would
be the only means of blotting out such
crimes.
The first witness called to the stand was
Combs's father, who testified as to his sons
age. residence and habits of life. George
Bell. colored. was the next witness. Bell
keeps a saloon at the corner of Agnes and
Walnut streets and said that on the night
OF the murder Johnson and the crowd he
was with when the crime was committed.
congregated I'm his place before they went
to Haughvflle. About 80 o'clock the same
evening. he said, Johnson came back TO
the saloon and gave him a revolver with
the words. Give this gun to Bette Logan
Bell 1Oent1ned the weapon SHOWN MIN Dy
Prosecutor Ruckleshaus as the one that
Johnson had left in his saloon.
Bette Logan was then called. She had
been a friend of Johnson. She said John
son called on her about s O'Clock on the
evening of the murder and she noticed that
he sat close 10 a dresser on which the wea-
pom exhibited i'm court lay. After he left
she said she noticed ii was gone. Witness
testified that aboub IL o'clock on the same
night Johnson knocked at her door and
said; You can get your gun at Bells
saloon"
Albert schneIl, white, seventeen years
old. over whom the fight started which
led up TO the murder, was the next wit
ness to take the stand. He said he was
on his way to a Doctors office about Z
met the colOred men on Sheffield avenue.
He said that Johnson struck him behind the
ear without any provOcatiOn and without
saying a word.
E~YEWITNESS'S STORY.
Amos Minch, white, who was with
Combs when he was shot, was an eye
witness TO the crime. and told the story
of the shooting. He said he was standing
on the corner with Combs. Frank Henry
and a man named Wordsworth. He said
Combs was waiting for a street car. While
they were standing there the cOlored men
came up. They first looked into the sa-
loon on the corner. then entered. and soon
came out. They started west, witness
said. when they met Schnell. and Johnson
struck him. Minch quoted Combs as say
ing TO Johnson, after he had struck the
boy: What do you want 10 hit a boy like
that fOr2' 10 which Johnson replied. May
be YOU want some of it2' and fired. Minch
testified that Combs fell back and was
caught by three men. and the only state
ment he made was. Frank. I'm shot. 3"
Witness said the dying man was then car
ried into the saloon and expired in four
minutes before a physician arrived.
The testimony of Minch was cOrroborated
by Frank Henry in nearly every detail.
with the exception that he said Johnson
called Combs a vile name.
The strongest evidence against Johnson
was given by Sam Williams. colOred, one
OF the party with Johnson when he shot
Combs. He testified TO meeting the other
negroes in Bells saloon and going to
Haughville. He said that as they passed
Schnell. Johnson struck him. He testified
10 having heard Combs ask Johnson why
he struck the boy and stated that he him
10 hit that boy fOr?' He said Johnson said
10 Combs. Maybe you want some OF IL, -"
and pulled a revolver from his pocket.
Williams said he grabbed Johnson and
said, Don't get into trouble here He
said Johnson took two or three steps. then
suddenly turned around ana said. well,
I'll give you some OF IL, you id -, I'll
kill you" and fired.
DEPUTY CORONER'S TESTIMONY.
DIT. Preston, deputy coroner. was the last
witness before adjournment. He testified
as TO the finding of the autopsy, the wound
and course Of the bullet
IL is expected by both the State and de-
tense that the case will reach the jury by
tomorrow noon. JOhnsOn's attorneys have
not yet ntimated what the defense will be
but IL is supposed they viii plead seIf-de-
Tense and claim Johnson was called vie
names Deputy Prosecutor Benedict Will
open the argument Tor the State and Mr..
Span viii close. McCray and Hines Will
present the defense 10 the jarv.
The Jurors who will decide .he case are
James Dean, Decatur township; Jcwftt
Jones, city; Erskin +. Hunter. Franklin
township a Carver. city. Sam Clark.
Washington township; Charles Johnson.
city, JOhn IL. Collins. Franklin township.
:. F. Steirwalt. pike township: John Raab.
Lawrence township: Noah Reagan. Wavue
township; Lewis Lewellyn. WASHINGTON
township, Benton Powers, Pike township.
ALICE SHORTS DIAMOND.