The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-06-12
INSURANCE MEN
KEEP IN HIDING
SHERIFF UNABLE TO LOCATE
STATES WITNESSES.
Trial Of Judge Kerr Proceeds Without
Presence Of Bechtel and Getty-As-
.sistant County Attorney Dahl Out
lines Case Against Defendant and
Calls Fred J. Sackett to Stand.

\ + - ~ /.
NV With lhort jury completed in remark
case, the trial of Judge w. "A. Kerr,
charged with embezzling from the in
surance company Of which he was a
director, began in earnest at II CLOCK
today before Judge F. G. Brooks.
The state goes into the trial some
what crippled by it's inability to find
is under subpoena, but Who evidently
prefers to be in contempt Of court
rather than to appear on the witness
stand.
Bechtel Not Found.
"A subpoena is also out for former
President W. F.Bechtel, but up to noon
today the sheriff had been unable to
find him. Frank Morrill,, who preceded
Judge Kerr as counsel for the company,
has also been subpenaed by the state.
What he can or will tell concerning
the affairs Of the company is at present
puzzle to all but the prosecutor. His
testimony is anticipated with some in
terest, as he has never before been
called upon to take the stand in one of
the insurance cases. ;;.
First Assistant County Attorney John
F. Dahl opened to the jury imme-
| diately after the panel was completed:
He spoke directly and briefly outlined
the state s case by which the defendant
| is charged with embezzling $40, 900 from
acts as director Of the company when
the Force contract was commuted.
Reviews History. ~
| The prosecutor reviewed the history
of the life insurance company from the
time Of its organization in 1895 to 1908,
the time when the crime for which
Judge Kerr is on trial is alleged to have
been committed. He explained the re-
lationship existing between Dr. Force
and W. 2. Bechtel, as it has been shown
in previous trials, and elucidated the
contract that DR.. Force held, and which
IN Mas 1s SSa'ii'o'eu Ny 'N' 'on p"n
ttwe will show you: that Judge Kerr
introduced, the resolution to commute
this contract and to pay DR.. Force $10,'
900 in 1908, and other: sums after
wards, said Mr.. Dahl. GIVE will show
you that he voted for it, and in so
doing aided and Allotted in the com.
mission Of embezzlement, of which he
is guilty under our laws. ~
"We will show you that Judge Kerr
was aware Of the original agreement be.
tween Force and Bechtel and knew that
1t did not constitute valid obligation
against the company. His motive is
plain. He was made director of the
company and he was made it's legal ad
wiser with plenty Of good fat attorney =
fees. We do not contend that he is
not brilliant lawyer and perhaps
earned all Of the fees he received, but
the fact that he made it possible to earn
these fees is sufficient motive for do
ling Bechtel IS bidding.' r.
Sackett First on Stand.
Mr.. Dahl followed his opening with
the introduction Of articles of incorpora
ton and other documentary evidence
laying the same foundations as in thu
Bechtel and Force cases. Fred j. Sack
EFT, former official, and now under. in
dictment, was the first witness called
: and he identified the minutes of meet
ings at which Bechtel was elected presi
dent and the defendant was elected Z;
director of the company. -
The jurymen who will have to pas
upon the guilt or innocence Of the de
PENDANT are: John De Smidt, Vilroy p
Clifford, Albert NJ Larson, Clyde Fl
Crockett, James B. Duffy, Jonas Carl
; son, David S. Ringrose, F. E. Reynolds
Harry J. Allingham, Cyrus G. Chalke1
Wesley Stringer and Fred NJ. Hinch. :.