The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-13
Young Peoples Conference at Winona
Lake Is One of the New Features
Projected for This Season.
MINOR CRIMES AND ACCIDENTS
AGED MAN KILLED BY TRAIN
NEAR TERRE HAUTE.
Suicides of Indianians-Unusun Es-
cnpe from Dcnth-Editors' and City
Ohicials' Conventions.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
NOBLESVILLE, Ind, June l2.-The de-
fense in the case of William Fodrea. ac-
cused Of the murder of John Seay, made
the presentation of its case this morning.
Though the heat was intense. the court
house was crowded, most of the spectators
being women. Fodrea's attorneys have de-
cded that 1t is not necessary 10 put him
on the stand. The opening statement was
made by Attorney W. S. Christian. He said
the defense could rest on the presenta-
tion OF evidence made by the State. He
declared the testimony so presented TO be
insufficient to overcome the presumption OF
innocence to which the defendant is en-
titled. He said the defense proved by the
State that ne was not sufficiently con-
nected with the crime TO make il trans
action of one person. and under the law.
the State must establish such a condition
of circumstances I'm order 10 convict the
defendant.
1.-The defense" said Mr.. Christian. will
show that the defendant has an unblem-
ished reputation, and that alone would
overcome all the proof submitted by the
State. That reputation tends to fortify
the defense and establish the innocence OF
the accused"
He went on to show that the defense
would be able TO impeach the testimony
of John Knarr, showing that he had made
a statement irreconcilable with the rest of
the States evidence. and continued The
defense will show by the witnesses that the
gun barrels found in the weeds were not
there the Sunday following the arrest OF
Fodrea, and that it would have been i'm
possible for Fodrea TO have placed the gun
barrels in the brush heap as he was in
Jail"
Before the defense made it's opening state
ment Mr.. Kane, for the State, put Thomas
p Farley on the stand TO tell that the
night of the murder was clear and cold and
there was snow on the ground. Farley tes-
titled that he was about the public square
several hours that night, and there was no
sitting the courthouse steps. II
Fodrea was there. he claims, he would
have been seen by Farley.
Charles Jackson and John Lewis testified
for the defense. They said they went home
on the night of the murder by the way or
the Model mill and wore long overcoats and
caps, such as the State attempted 10 prove
that Fodrea wore on the fatal night. An
effort made TO show that the gun
barrel that was found about four days after
the crime in a brushpile was not there on
the next day after the murder and that II
could not have been there in the snow with
out rusting. Nearly a score OF prominent
citizens testified as TO the former good
character of the defendant. L. Il. Fodrea.
father of the defendant said he at
home all night, but he was uncertain as 10
the hour his soon retired. He said his son
very fond Of machinery and wanted
Job in the mill. The mother or the de-
fendant also testified as TO the time her son
arrived home but her statements were not
positive on the subject. Miss Leota Fodrea.
the sister of the defendant who has shown
much devotion and anxiety. testified as TO
the mechanical turn OF mind OF her brother.
The heat and worry caused Miss Fodrea 10
have a slight fainting spell this afternoon.
All the evidence was finished this evening
and the argument will begin In the morn
ing. Six speeches will be made and there
is no time limit It is expected the jury
will get the case some time on Saturday.
Those who will speak for the State are
Judge r. ]. Kane. Ralph X. Kane and
Prosecutor j. L. -Beals. The defendant Will
be represented by l.. 5. Baldwin, Ira ".
Christian and W. s. Christian.
With all the evidence I'm. II Is believed
that the chain OF circumstantial evidence
is not as strong as was expected before the
trial. on the other hand. IL is conceded
that the defense was quite weak No one
is pretending TO guess what the verdict
will be. The case is still shrouded in doubt
and mystery.