The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-09
He Killed His Father-in-Law, Frank
sutton, on West Maryland Street,
on May 13 Last.
CONTENTION OF PROSECUTION
1T is CLAIMED THAT HOOVER WAS
SHOT FROM BEHIND.
Hoover's Wife Among the Witnesses
introduced by the State-Other
Local Court News.

The trial of Edward Hoover for the muir
der of his father-in-law. Frank Sutton, on
West Maryland street. on May 10 last, be-
gan in the Criminal Court yesterday morn
ing. His attorneys. Hendricks and Nc
Groarity, filed a special plea of insanity,
on which they will rely to save their client
from life sentence or the gallows.
The special venire of forty was more than
exhausted before jury was impaneled.
the State being careful 10 inquire of each
man whether not he had any scruples
against infiicting the death penalty. In his
opening statement Deputy Prosecutor Bene-
dict declared that the theory of the State
was, and the evidence would show it, that
the crime was caused by old grudge;
that Hoover blamed Sutton for his dis
charge from the Shower farm where he
had been employed and also for causing
his wife TO leave him. To indicate prepara-
ton and generalization IL will be shown
by witnesses, he said, that on one occa-
sion Hoover said If Sutton didn't be care
full he would get his block knocked off,
also that on the day before the murder
was committed he went to a pawnbroker's
on East Washington street and bought a
.3s-caliber revolver. Continuing his state
ment the prosecutor said the position of
the State as to how the crime occurred
was that Sutton was shot from behind
while he was in STOPPING position, pick
ing up books which were to be taken out
TO the farm, and the testimony of Deputy
Coroner Gels supported his contention.
HOOvER'S CRIME.
The crime was committed on West Mary
land street, where Hoover and his wife
had lived before they separated, and where
Sutton had come TO remove the household
goods Of his daughter as alleged by the
State, as part of a plan, the defendant
having telephoned to his wife in the morn
ing insisting that her father should come
to the city that afternoon.
When arrested Hoover told conflicting
story about a quarrel that had arisen be-
tween himself and his father-in-law over a
division of the furniture, which Sutton was
removing to his home where his daughter
was staying. When arrested by Detective
HALEY, at Thirty-fourth and Meridian
streets. revolver and knife were found
in his possession. At this time he was
asked by the officer If he knew what he had
done. and answered: Where is he? l saw
him coming down stairs"
Gertrude Hoover testified that she had
been married to the defendant four years
and had separated from him about week
before her fathers death. I'VE did not live
happily" she said. "One time he threat
ened to kill me and threw a butcher knife
and dishpan at me-" On Tuesday before
the murder she said Hoover called her up
over the telephone and said: Tell your
father to come and get the things, and If
he don't I'll sell them" Ootherwise her
testimony was unimportant.
The prisoner appeared to be perfectly
calm and seemed to take a lively interest
in the proceedings.
Attorney Stewart. of NOblesville, has
been retained by the relatives of the MUIR
dered man in Hamilton county to assist the
prosecution. The State has far intro
duced some seven or eight witnesses. The
trial will likely occupy the entire week
Those the jury are: Benton Powers,
Perry Hardus and John r. Johnson. OF
Pike township; William keenan,, Decatur
township T. A. Wilson, Washington town
ship; James Hook, Haughville; John b.
lander Lawrence township Andrew Cum
ningham, Acton James Heffiinger, Wayne
township; Edward Hunt p. p. Young and
l.. A. Hunt, of this city.