Omaha daily bee., 1906-04-27
COURT ARRESTS WITNESS
Judge Sutton Issues Bench Warrant for AL
Keenan, for Alleged Contempt
STOPS MURDER TRIAL FOR THIS ACTION
Accused e. Charged with TryinE 10
Prevent His Father-in-Lsw
from TestifyinE for
the state.

LEInkh LOOK EtnabNnnhA AhAh az ~
Noonan murder case Thursday morning.
when Judge Sutton adjourned the trial until
Monday and ordered County Attorney sla-
baugh to file a complaint against Al Kee-
nan. warrant broker, charging him with
contempt Of court for alleged interference
with a witness for the state.
The witness Keenan, is accused OF trying
TO get out of the way is William Hughes,
his father-in-1aw, who is now near Lake
side, Sheridan county. Although, IT IL as
serted, he promised to be present at the
trial he left South Omaha shortly before
the trial began. Tom Davis was deputized
to 20 after him with a subpoena and yester-
day Sheriff Mcdonald received this tele-
gram from Davis:
Got service. Refuses to come. Hughes
compel you. (siRned) Al keenan,"
The message from Davis was dated April
Is aS Lakeside.
Thursday morning County Attorney sla-
baugh fled an afiidavit for a continuance
until Monday and asked that capias issue
for the arrest and return OF Hughes to this
county.
Judge Sutton granted the continuance and
a bench warrant for Hughes and ordered
the arrest OF Keenan, on the contempt
charge on the ground he was trying 10 pre-
vent an important state witness from testi-
flying.
Keenan, Denies Sending Message.
Keenan, in q statement to reporters denied
he had sent any such telegram.
Il do not know anything about the mos
sage" he said. Someone must be using
my name. Hughes IL my father-in-lsw and
Mrs. Hughes is staying at my house.
never sign my name Al Keenan,, but always
A. M. Keenan,"
Immediately after the adjournment OF
court County Attorney slabaugh began an
Investigation OF the circumstances. Hughes
is an important witness for the state, as he
was an eye witness of the killing Of Carl
son. The state has depended upon him for
some important testimony.
The state has had more than usual DIM
Guilty in getting its testimony in this case
The first witness to leave South Omaha was
George Harold. who in company with a
friend, started to beat his way to Cali
fornia, It is said. The two were arrested
in Fremont for pulling a gun on one OF
the train crew who tried TO put them on
the train. He was brought TO Omaha by
Sheriff Bauman Of Dodge county and tes-
tined. Just before the trial started It
was found Hughes had left the county.
He was located in Sheridan county and a
man sent after him.
Knife Has Disappeared.
Now, It IS found, a knife. which played
an important part In the evidence. has dis
appeared. II was taken from the pocket
OF Carlson after he was taken 20 the
hospital. The state contends it was a
small bOns-handled knife. not at all dan
Rerous. The defense has tried 20 show
Carlson had q large knife which he used
In slRughterinR hogs. The piece OF evil
dence disappeared while in the custody OF
tho South Omaha police and they contend
It was taken from the safe in the once
Mike Speok. ono OF the witnesses for the
state. SURPRISED the attorneys for the
prosecution by testifytng to some things
which are at variance with the testimony
OF other witnesses. He declared Carlson
had . large pig sticker" In his pocket
at the time OF the murder and that Carl
son had been drinking heavily before tn,
murder Other witnesses for the state de
MED these statements, II came out in tn,
evidence that Speek d q boarder at tn,
Noonan home.
IL was intimated Thursday that certain
things relating 10 the case might be sub
mitted to the grand Jury.
In the meantime the jury viii be isolate,
in the rooms provided for Il at the Drexe
hotel.
complaint charging an attempt T.
hinder the administration of justice b!
interfering with the states witness wa
filed against Keenan, by County Attorne
slabaugh At $3.50 Thursday Afternoon
There are three counts 20 the complaint
The penalty for the offense charged
nne Of $500 or from one to fvs year
in the penitentiary.