The Detroit times., 1908-05-26
LAWYERS NE ARLI
COME To BLOWS
IN COURT
"JlM" MUFFIN AND LOUIS w. Nc.
CLEAR HAVE LIVELY. WRANGLE
IN POLICE SCANDAL INQUIRY
ANNIE SMITH FINISHES STORY.

a lively brush" between Attorney
Jim" Muffin and Assistant Prosecu-
tor Louis w. McClear, which nearly re-
Ssulted In blows, was the most inter
esting development OF the Monday aft
ernoon session OF the police scandal
inquiry. Bessie King, friend Of An
ME Smith, and q former inmate of her
place. was on the stand. Mr.. Nc.
Clear was trying to get from the wit
ness a statement as TO what purpose
ex.Justice Coulson had In meeting her
In q house on Fort-st. some months
ago. Mr. Frazer objected.
Our purpose In introducing this tes-
timony is simply this" Mr.. McClear
went on. I'VE want to show that Com
missioner Smith sent a stenographer
down there TO get statement, a con-
versation between Coulson and this
Witness. when Coulson was trying 10
get this woman to act as a witness
against Annie Smith in a private suit
on a civil matter"
Its dirty lie and you know It,
spoke up Muffin In wrath.
IT'S no lie. It's the truth. and you
know it's the TRUTH" was McClear :
retort.
THE idea OF a public officer using
his oh cial position TO stand up here
and make such a statement as that
which he knows Is absolutely and un'
qualifiedly false" said Murfin, boiling
over with rage. Even If 1t Is true
how can II affect the change that on
Nov Is these defendants conspired
to allow Miss Smith to rum"
IF anyone is lying II Is Mr. Muir
finr McClear challenged.
I'm not" roared the attorney for
the defense, turning first red and then
white. And you know I'm not"
Here Justice Stein interfered.
We'll, he can't stand there and get
away with that" resumed Muffin.
You can't. either" And McClear
took a step forward and drew himself
up as though he were about to strike.
Adjourn court. I'll take care of
myself on the outside" said Murfin.
Attorneys Apologize to Court
Then Allan Frazer got Muffin into
a chair and the threatened combat
was averted. Both men later apollo.
gized TO the court for their show OF
temper but their feelings toward each
other had apparently not altered In the
slightest
I'm not through with him yet
Murfin remarked after the adjourn
ment.
Annie Finishes Testimony.
Annie Smith left the stand about
$3.50 Monday afternoon, after testify
ing for nearly two and half days.
The afternoon quiz developed little OF
importance, but gave Annie's wits a
chance to shine. She had told Of the
visit OF Commissioner Smith TO her
place some six weeks ago in company
with Health officer Kiefer, the only
visit the commissioner admits having
paid the resort, and she dropped re-
mark to the effect that she saw one OF
the men who had been in the party
sitting in the courtroom. Asked later
to point out this man, she said TO
Murfin:
Hes right there behind YOU"
who, this man." said Muffin. point.
ing at Mr.. Frazer.
No"
We'll, which one, them"
There we're several men whose posi-
tion could be described as being back
of Murfin.
well, It wasn't Funny Jim,' "
laughed Annie, plainly referring to the
attorney.
Thank YOU" Murfin said. when he
realized what she was driving at.
Points Out Wrong Man.
Annie finally pointed to young at.
torney, who denied absolutely that he