The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1902-11-06
Circuit Attorney Folk, of St. Louis,
Secures Another Conviction in
the Doodle Cases.
EDMUND BERSCR GUILTY OF PERJURY,
The Jury, After Being Out Nineteen
Minutes Returned a Verdict As
sessing the Penalty at Five Years
In the Penitenti iary-No Defense
Made.

st. Louis, Nov. Edmund Bersch.
former member of the house of dele
gates, was found guilty by a jury in
Judge Ryan's court, Friday, of per-
jury, before the grand jury, in con-
nection with the Doodle investigation.
Bersch's punishment was assessed
at five years in the penitentiary. The
jury was out only 10 minutes.
The conviction was expected, and
the case was not fought by the de-
fense after it went to trial. Defense
will ask for a new trial or appeal to
the supreme court.
At the opening of court, Friday
morning, Judge Ryan overruled the
demurrer of the defense in the Bersch
perjury case and ordered the case to
to proceed. Attorney Rowe an
nounced that the defense would call
no witnesses and make no argument,
preferring to submit the case to the
jury at it stood at the conclusion Of
the states evidence.
1T is the most remarkable case
ever listened to. !"
This remark by criminal lawyer
describes the Edmund Bersch case.
Circuit Attorney Folk simply over
whelmed the defense with flood of
evidence, and there was no stem
ming the tide. On technical points
alone, Judge Krum, John Gernez and
Thomas j. Rowe fought the matter,
and when the state rested, Thursday
evening, the one hope of the defense
was a reversal in the supreme court
or of Judge Ryan's taking the case
from the jury.
All the inner dealings of the now
celebrated combine were detailed by
John X. Murrell, his brother, E. E.
Murrell, George F. Robertson and
John Helms. William NJ. Tamblyn was
hating witness. What little he tes-
titled to was dragged from him by the
circuit attorney. He acted and spoke
like man utterly crushed. His men,
ory was defective and his speech hes
itating. The others were different.
They told as to the dealings regarding
the Suburban measure, and said the
combine were determined to make
money out of the promoters. On
cross-examination Helms, Robertson
and E. E. Murrell candidly admitted
that they had perjured themselves Le-
fore the December grand jury, and
that it was done as per the agreement
of the combine members in order to
protect themselves and the "gang.
Despite what had been promised
tFeir testimony was a shock, revela-
ton of the utter debasement of the
lower branch of the municipal assem-
bly, at the time the Suburban meas
ure came before it. No one doubts
that it was just as bad at other points.
but Mr.. Folk was anly allowed to
bring out the doing, with reference
to the Suburban matter. He showed
as complete an organization for the
purpose of controlling legislation in
the house as exists in the bess of reg
ulated corporations.
Directors" meetings were held in
star chamber proceedings and prices
fixed. Agents were appointed to ne
gotiate with the promoters of enter
prises, and if the price of the COM
bine was not Forthcoming woe unto
the measure. No matter what the
public benefit of any proposed ordi-
nance, if the combine did not get its
graft" the measure failed.