Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-05-29
AGED MOTHER OF DEFENDANT
TEsTlFlEs IN BEHALF nF
PRISONER IN EFFORT
TO JUMP TO DEATH
Dashes for Window of Third Story Of
centerville Court House-Rope Found
secreted in Building With Well
Formed Moose Indicates Mob is
Ready for Lynchins.

Centervile, May 29-The state rested
early today in the trial of John jun
kin for the murder of Clara Rosen.
Amy Junkin, the prisoners mother.
testified for the defendant that John
was uncomfortable from youth and
was sent to the reform school at her
request, and later to the penitentiary
for snatching purse. She declared he
was a drunkard and cocaine tiend.
Junkin Tries to Commit Suicide.
That the fears that Junkin Is fright
ened to the verge Of insanity and that
he will kill himself at the first oppor-
tunity was proven last night, when the
prisoner sprang to the window lodges
and would have leaped from the third
story Of tho court house to probably
death on the cement walk had not the
guards caught him.
A perfectly tied hangman's moose was
found last night secreted In the court
house near the room on which John
Junkin. the negro slayer of Clara Ro
sen. is kept during his trial for the
murder of the Ottumwa choir singer.
The spectators at the trial Friday
We're greatly wrought up as Chief IF
Police Gallagher told of the confess
sion which Junkin made and later
repudiated. Detective John Gray all
SO told how Junkin in describing the
murder to him, told how the girl
groaned as the negro dragged her to
an old cellar. 1t was asserted that
Junkin made the confession at the
behest of his mother. The defense
will put Junkin on the witness stand
it Is said.
1t transpired that Junkin made n
futile break for liberty thru the window
of the grand Jury room. in which he is
confined on the third floor of the court
house, and six armed men sat around
Junkin's cot last night to guard him
from lynching and to prevent his es-
cape.
Confession is Admitted.
The admission in the evidence of
Junkin's signed confession made in
the Abba Jail makes the states case
complete and it will probably rest to-
morrow morning. The case can not get
to the jury before Tuesday. 1t is hard
to imagine how the jury could return
any other verdict than hanging. but
local juries are uncertain.
Judge Roberts held that the burden
of proof rested on the defense to show
that the confession was involuntary
and in the absence of the jury evidence
was introduced to show that the de-
PENDANT was subjected to brutal treat
ment and promised mmunities. 1t was
brought out that Junkin sent for his
mother and a lawyer and asked her
should he tell. She replied:
yes. all the truth, but do not i'm
plcate any one not guilty"
Junkin was quoted as saying then.
that he was afraid of Roberts. the
judge, who is presiding at the trial.
Testimony was introduced showing
the depravity of Junkin. who has
never been heard to utter word of
regret over the crime. He is haggard,
and worn and in constant fear. Friday
fey the first time. he was permitted
to sit with the attorneys to offer sug-
gestions. Uneasiness is felt over a pos
sible disagreement of the jury, which
would be as likely to precipitate mob
violence as life sentence. On ac-
count of the local sentiment it is not
likely that the local militia will be
used. Junkin is getting unruly and
the guards may have to use force to
control him. He win testify to minor
matters only.
Showed Woman tho Rosen Ring.
The visit of John Junlsin to the home
of Mrs Ray Clutter on the night of
the brutal murder of Clara Rosen and
there displaying the diamond stolen
from his victim, furnished the most
interesting period of yesterday morn
ings session of the murder trial The
defendant was identified by three wit
nesses, Mrs. Anna Johnson, Mrs. Ed
Mather and her son Charles, as having
been seen near the spot where the
tragedy occurred, and his movements
later in the evening of Feb. 5. were
described by Mrs. Clutter. Officer
Frank Harris testified to finding the
ring Detective John w. Gray and
Sheriff w. b. Griffin told of searching
tho attic of the Greasy Spoon res
taurant on the night of Feb. &c and
finding the jewelry of the dead girl.