Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-05-27
LIQUOR CASES UP
IN POLICE COURT
Chief Pitts Secret Service" May
Spoil the Chance OF
Conviction.
CITY A PARTY TO oFFENSES.
Upon the Ground That Prosecution is
particeps Crimlnis Attorneys for
The Defense Ask Dismissal.

In the hearing OF the liquor cases
which began in Judge Diehls court
Yesterday afternoon, in which twenty
saloon men arc charged with violating
the Sunday closing ordinance, testi-
mony was brought out showing that
Chief Pitt employed two secret agents
to get evidence against the alleged
violators of the law. They are Carl
G.. Peterson, clerk in Pitts office. and
n young man named Harry Speers.
The latter said he received salary
of s75 per manth from Chef Pitt to
act as secret service man" When
asked what he did, he said Any
thing the chief tells me to do
The first case called was that against
Michael Albino and S. p. Nelson, OF
the Orpheum saloon. The courtroom
was packed with counsel witnesses.
saloonkeepers and spectators. Peter
son and Speers testified they went into
the Orpheuin saloon on Sunday several
weeks ago, bought two glasses OF beer
and half pint of whisky. Young
Peterson was asked to pick out Mel
son, who was in the courtroom. He
was unable to do so. Speers how
ever, was able to identify tho accused.
FIJI = ODD les 1 lhON l.
Peterson testified that the money
he used in the purchase of the beer
and whisky was from his salary, but
he admitted on cross examination that
he expected to have the amount re-
funded by Chief Pitt, and that 1t had
been returned. but from what fund he
did not know. Judge Weber. on cross
examination. got young Peterson some
what Mustered by asking him why he
wore a policeman's badge. Peterson
did not know, except that Chef Pitt
gave him permission to wear 1t.
Chief Pitt proved to be an interest
ing Witness While his testimony was
brief. 1t was to the point, and brought
out what the defense was apparently
after. He was asked on direct OK
animation to identity u bottle of whis-
ky which was purchased at the Or
pheum. He did 50, and said the bottle
had been in his possession ever since
Peterson got 1t from the saloon. On
cross-examination by Atty. Christensen,
Chief Pitt WAS asked:
Did you send these spoilers out to
catch saloonkeepers violating the law,
or to induce them to violate the law?"
ITO violate the law" replied the chief
uncertainty
oh, that's what you sent them for,
was it?"
Sent them for WHAT" demanded the
chief hotly.
Why. you said to violate the law
didn't you?"
The police department never vic
lates the law"
We'll now l will ask you again: Did
you send them out to catch violators OF
the law, Or"
Yes, stop right there; don't go any
further; that's what / sent them for"
DISMISSAL IS ASKED.
But | will go further. Did you
send them to violate the law"
II sent them TO get any saloonkeeper
that was doing business, and they got
them"
Now, where did you get the money
that you refunded to them for buying
this whisky"
From my pocket
Where did your pocket get it?"
From the contingent fund"
That's ALL"
The defense moved that the case be
dismissed on the ground that no case
had been made by the prosecution
against the defendants. The claim Is
also made that the city can not ask
for a conviction because the city Is
particeps criminis TO the commission
of the offense.
The case is being argued this after
noon The prosecution is in the hands
of Assistant City Attorneys l.. A. TO
gers and p. j. DAILY. The defense is
represented by Attys. Soren X. Chris
Jensen, Judge Weber, s. L. Armstrong
and G. L. Olson.