Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-05-23
Looks as Though the Police Had
Been Fooled by 1.-THE
Big Fellow"
HOW THE TRICK WAS WORKED.
Ne Agreed to Take His Nedi-
cine" Provided His Pal
Went Free.
Now lie COoily Hands the Authorities
The Double Cross All AlOpr
The Line

There is every Indication that the au-
thouues will have trouble with John
McVeruay, one of the two men captured
at McCamnon, Ida, on me 5th Of the
month on suspicion OF being implicated
iu the hold-up and robbery at james
McTernay's saloon on the 2nd, Nc
Ncrnay ana pal named Williams were
brought back to Salt Lake by Sheriff
Qugiey of Pocatello ana Captain j. Il.
Burbidge OF the Salt Lake force After
spending several days In jail Never
nay made q confession. He admitted
that be was one Of the men who held
ny and robbed MCTcruay, James Mar.
James Burke and Tom Needham, and
robbed them OF diamonds and money
valued al $1,000 When McNyrnaY made
his confession he DECLARED that Will
llams had nothing to do With the affair,
Williams was released but il is known
from inside sources that he promised
to recover some OF the stolen property
and come back 10 Salt Lake. Williams
has not been heard from since his rc~
lease and the police are now convinced
that he does not intend to return
This morning McNernuy was ar-
raiguc1 before Judge G. r. Diehl of the
criminal division OF the city court and
when asked To plead coolly stated that
he would not say whether he was guilty
or not guilty.
DID NOT CARE TO FLEAp.
Il was taken out OF Idaho without
a warrant and without requisition pa
pers and at this time | do not care TO
plead. | viii not enter plea until
consult with my Attorney So spoke
The Sclf-contessed robber this morn
ing. His statement was a great sur
prise to the officers and they are now
wondering what kind Of a game h. is
trying to play on them.
When Judge Diehl asked him II he
would be ready 10 plead by Saturday,
McNenay said he did not know, but
would plead if nc consulted with his
1 counsel IN the meantime.
DO you care TO have ban fixed
asked the court
NO, replied McVerpay. There
| is no need Of tNins bail now" Tn.
| man was remauded 70 the custody OF
! the sheriff without bail and WIS
| quickly haudcuited and taken to the
| county jail by Deputy Sheriff Slater.
What is McNernay'S game? That is
| the question the police are asking
each other and echo answers. That he
made u confession there can be no
doubt To at least three persons he
admitted that he was one of the men
who turned the trick but he refused
and now refuses 10 give any inforna
ton whatever that viii lead to the
apprehension of the other TWO men. II
is the nrm belief of some OF the off,
GERS that Williams Was implicated in
the affair, despite the statement OF
McVernay 10 the contrary.
1t would not be surprising II Williams
and McNernay framed up a scheme To-
defraud justice Since being locked up
ir jail McVernay has received money
from friends. Who sent 1t? Did il
come from Williams? The police DO
not know and McNernay will not tell.
HE NEVER CAME BACK
When Williams was released, the po-
lice believed he would come back Now.
however, they are convinced thai he
win not return, There is reason 20
believe that MCNcrnay consented 10
be tho "fall guy" make a half oon-
plete confession and thus secure the
release or Williams with the under
standing that the latter would join the
third man and The two obtain FUNDS for
the defense OF McNornsy IN the hope
tnat he may escape on a techricAhty.
This Is indicated IN the actions Of The
big fellow in court this morning.
That he viii MAKE a fglt, provided his
friends come TO his Asst stance win
money on the grounds that he was
brought from idaho to Utah in q man
rer not leg1 there Is no doubt.
When he confessed McVernay stated
that he would plead guilty and lake
his medicine. He has apparently
changed his mind and is now only
sparruc for time. he knows the WAYS
Of courts and the ways of police Officers.
When handcuMod he slipped the brace
lctg W his sleeves and completely or
scured them from view He had 1p
trouble IN taking a handEerchlef from
his pocket, removing his hat, lighting
cigar placing his raHd in hlt trousers
pocket 4 man who Is not familiar VIII
handouts could not do The thiags Nc
Vcinay did. He appeared 20 he perfect
IS cout"utcd. Perhaps he has heard
from Williams IN some mysterious way,
Tho police would like very much tH
know wh"ro Williams ~ bur II Move
nay knows he won't tell