The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1907-05-11
County Attorney Causes Wrong
Statement to Be Sent Mis-
souri, Governor.
EXTRADITI0N eF BELL
MAY NOW BE PREVENTED
SANDY" McWhirter Contradicts
Story He Has Sworn to
Three Times.

That County Attorney Willard Han"
SON drew IN an affidavit containing
statement which he knew was false, and
that Alexander McWhirter, one of the
supposedly guilcless Scotchmen who
have been overworkcd posing as the Vlc-
tins Of an alleged bunko game ana rop
bery. signed it. is disclosed by the rec.
ord in tho requlsltion papers issued
by Governor John c. Cutler Tor the re-
turn to Salt Lake of W. W, Bell, now
under arrest in Kansas City. Mo.
In other words Sheriff c. Frank
Emery has gone TO Kansas City to bring
Bell back, taking with mm record
containing n false statement Either
that or Alexander and " Wcelum' Nc
Whirter periured themselves on three
separate and distinct occasions when
thev have been on tho witness stand at
the bchest of County Attorney Han
son and his co-conspirators against
Chief of Police Sheets.
Bell Falsely Accused.
The affidavit of Alexander McWhirter
here alluded TO, was signed Wednesday
afternoon, and was drawn by Mr. Han,
SON It distinctly charges that Bell
searched Alexander McWhirtcr ID the
Antlers rooming house and took from
him $s,373. A similar affidavit also was
ISneU DN - w celuH AlC w MI t'ie
In the preliminary examination oil
James Donaldson and at tho prellm-
mary examinations Of chief of Police
Sheets. the Scotch brothers swore that
they were searched and robbed by Par
rent. the self.confessed crook, thug and
thief who impersonated policeman at
the time of the alleged robbery, and
who has since turned states evl-
dence' against Chief Sheets. Parent
himself testified to the same thing at
the last preliminary examination of
Chief Sheets. The night Bell took the
McWhirters to the police station, more
over, Alexander McWhirtcr stated dis
tlnctly in the presence Of Chief Sheets
that Bell had taken none Of his money.
Hanson is Desperate.
But Mr.. Hanson is desperate TO get
Bell back to Salt Lake He believes
that, If he gets him here, he can induce
him 10 90 on the stand and make an
other confession duplicating Chief
Sheets, by a promise of absolute i'm
munlty from prosecution. SO, in order
to accomplish his end he prepared an
affidavit containing statements which
the man who signed it will not dare
swear to on the witness stand. but
which may have some weight with the
governor o{ Missouri when he comes TO
passing on the requisition papers.
II tho governor OF Missouri discovers
in time that lying affidavit has been
presented to him, be may turn down the
request of the governor of Utah for the
delivery of Bell, even though the request
is accompanied by copy of the com.
plant against Bell and the warrant for
his arrest.
In promising immunity 10 Parent,
County Attorney Hanson, whose ability
both as a lawyer and prosecutor is
Joke among attorneys of standing at
the bar, has absolutely ignored District
Attorney Fred c, Loofbourow, who is
the chief prosecuting officer of this iu-
dicial district. Mr.. Lcof,bourow was not
party to the promise of immunity
made TO Parent, and, if Hanson can
make deal with Bell. he will leave
Mr.. Loofbourow out Of consId Grafton in
that deal. Under the peculiar statute
of Utah Mr.. Loofbourow can get no
action on a criminal unless the County
Attorney first causes him to be bounl
over to the District court.