The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-26
NJ DONALD IS NOT PUT
ON THE STAND, STATE
BEGINS ITS ARGUMENT
Action of the Defense in Keeping
Its Client from the Stand EX-
cites Much Comment.
CROSS-INOUIRY IS BRIEF
Brings Out Nothing of Much In
terest or of Particular Bearing
on the Case at Bar.
CROSS-INOUIRY is BRIEF
special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
BEDFORD, Ind. May 25.-The fate of
James Mcdonald who has been on trial
for ten days. charged with the murder OF
Sarah Catherine Schafer. the Bedford High
School Latin teacher. will soon rest on the
deliberations of the jury. Prosecutor Mil
Ter began the opening argument for the
state this afternoon. Contrary to expecta-
tions, to-days cross-examination was not
protracted and resulted in practically no
new developments in the case.
Your Honor, the defense rests" This
statement, by Attorney r. n. Palmer. came
in the nature of a surprise. as it had been
generally understood that Mcdonald was TO
go on the stand in his own behalf and
many people have been looking forward TO
his statement to settle the conviction in
their minds as to his guilt or innocence
1t was evident that Mr.. Palmer's announce
ment was n surprise as we'll as disap-
pointment to the attorneys for the prose-
cution, who have been firm in the belief
that under cross-examination, Mcdonald
would go to pieces.
The failure of Mcdonald TO 60 on the
stand in his own behalf has caused good
deal of comment. What influence, IL any.
ii will have the jury cannot be told. 1t
is the opinion of the defense that an alibi
has been proved and that it was unneces-
sary for Mcdonald to go on the stand.
Edgar n. Johnson Tuesday afternoon tes-
titled as an expert on clay and plaster of
Paris, and continued his testimony this
morning. He said that in his opinion, the
plaster of paris cast made of the track in
the alley was of little value in telling the
size of the shoe
Conductor Emery was recalled and asked
as to the accident to his train, if 1t was
not on the 22d instead of the 21st. He
said there was an accident on both days.
Prosecutor Miller was put on the stand
in rebuttal TO the written statement of
Mrs. Mcdonald. Eliza Jackson was recalled
to verify the Identification of a No 10 rub
ber boot. Eli 3. Stephenson and DR.. II. II.
Braxtan were also on the stand. but there
was nothing material brought out in their
evidence.
At $50 court adjourned until 1 o'clock
because of the absence of Policeman Myers,
witness for the defense. who was at
Brownstown a witness in the Weeks
case.
There was some delay this afternoon in
opening court, because of a conference of
the court and attorneys. and it was 2
o'clock before James NJ. Myers was placed
on the stand. He was asked IT, during his
acquaintance with Mcdonald. covering the
four years he has been police officer, he
had noticed whether he of a nervous
temperament He said he was, and on
cross-examination said such nervousness as
he described was peculiar TO most criminals.
1t was six minutes after when Prose
cutcr Miller began his opening argument
for the state. He will be followed by Mr.
Vance, Mr. Palmer, who will make the
closing argument for the defense, and Mr..
Lowe for the state. Ii is probable the
case will go TO the jury tomorrow after
noon. Opinion on the part of the public is
divided as to what the verdict will be.