The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-11
CantreIl and Other Ghouls VIII BE
Brought to Trial, Sane or Insane,
the Court Says.
COMMISSION FAILS TO ACT
PROSECUTOR SUCCEEDS IN HAVING
ITS SITTING DELAYED.
Attorneys GrOninger and Connaway
Indulge in Duel of words-Ghouls,
Cases Set for Trial.

County Prosecutor Ruckeshaus made the
announcement yesterday evening that Dr.
Alexander will not be tried next week.
When the case comes up Monday the
prosecutor will ask the court to grant a
continuance in the case on the ground that
the State has no witnesses This move
will be necessary in the light of some
rather sensational events that have taken
place In the last few days. Cantrell is
asking to be declared insane and neither
he nor any Of the other grave robbers
who testified In the first trial Of DR.. Alex
ander will testify again. They have made
this statement to the prosecutor. The
fact that continuance will be asked in
the case does not necessarily mean that
DR.. Alexander will never be tried. The
State will take up bis case IL at any time
II finds that the witnesses who testified
before will testify again.
Judge Afford is angry and disgusted over
the proceedings and does not propose that
Cantrell and his gang shall escape IL there
is any chance to prevent 1t. Yesterday
morning, in view Of the fact that insanity
proceedings were pending against Cantrell.
the court issued an order to Sherirf
Metzger instructing him not to allow
Cantrell moved from the Jail, except on an
order from the court
TOO MUCH HORSEPLAY.
There has been too much horseplay in
this case" remarked Judge Afford yester.
day evening, with rising indisnation. "and
I had a notion to say SO in NV order I"
Judge Afford says he proposes To have
Cantrell tried for his alleged crimes wbetb.
er he Is insane or not. If lunacy inouest
declares Cantrell insane the court saws he
means to allow jury in the Criminal
Court to pass on the question also.
Judge Afford and Prosecutor Ruckelshaus
came down town yesterday morning pre-
pared to do business. Both were In no
soft humor over the action of the attor.
neys IN Cantrells case. One of the first
the cases against all of the colored men
accused Of grave-robbing Samuel Mar,in
will be tried April IA: CantreI. AnriI %.
Is! Isom w,,,'I nGnnei; April "a: Sol Grady. April
Daniels. May 4. The attorneys for these
colored men asked for a change of venue
from Judge Afford yesterday. which will.
point a special judge to try the cases
These men will certainly be tried said
the judge. IF 1 can find a man who has
the courage TO sit on this bench and try
them ~
A few days ago. when County Proseou-
tor Ruckelshaus heard that the coIored
men were refusing to go on the stand and
testify again, he realized at once that the
chances of making a case against Dr
Alexander were fast failing. He Went m
the jail and talked TO the men. but tbe,,
were obdurate. saying their ATTORNEYS had
instructed them not to go on the stand
The prosecutor asked IL they were wiiiins
TO go to prison and 'let the big fellow go
free but this failed to cause a change
I'm their declaration TO keep silent. The
prosecutor then said he would NOT asL
them to decide that day, but sureested
that they think the matter over. They
still decline to testify