The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-05-03
SWEARS JUROR
SOLICITED BRIDE
Sensational Affidavit By Brother of
Plaintiff in Damage Suit Causes
John R. Schmidt's Arrest.

That John r. Schmidt, of No. BIC
Hancock-ave. east. a juror in the cir
cult court. solicited bride and prom
ised to swing a jury In return for the
money, is the sensational allegation
of John Govensky, drug clerk EN-
ployed in Van Vliet's drug store, at
No. 107 Gratiot-ave., in an affidavit
fled in the circuit court, Saturday
morning. On the strength of this af
fidavit an attachment for the arrest
of Schmidt was at once issued and
placed in the hands of Deputy Sheriff
Rudolph Grandt. The matter has been
under investigation for several days
, Schmidt was arrested shortly after
noon, and then before Judge Cooper
His bail was fixed at 5000, with two
sureties. and AID A. A. Deimel was
on hand prepared 10 act as one Of the
bondsmen. Schmidt sent TO- NUM-
Der of friends whom he thought would
be willing to go Oh his bond.
John Govensky, who makes the ar.
fidayit. Is a brother of Frank Goyen.
sky, plaintiff in a suit for damages
against the Grand Laundry Co., which
was on trial in Judge Coopers court
for several days. Because OF state.
ments made to the Judge, Wednesday
morning, the case was stopped, and a
new trial ordered.
Govensky alleges that last Wednes.
day afternoon, after court adjourned
he was walking to his home at No. so
Mack-ave., in company with his moth
er. At Gratiot-ave. and Brush-st., he
was tapped on the shoulder by man
whom he recognized as Juror Schmidt
He says Schmidt asked him to come
TO his home, that night after dark
Govensky talked the matter over with
his mother and sister. he says. and
decided to do as Schmidt proposed
When he arrived at No. $40 Hancock
ave. east, Schmidt's home, he was
taken upstairs. There he says Schmidt
started the talk with the statement:
IF you want to win this suit can
help you"
Schmidt then went on to say, Go
vensky alleges, that he had a friend
named Giles, also juror, but in an
other court, and that they would work
IL between them. According to the
proposal. Govensky was to meet Giles
In Roemer's saloon on Bates-st., and
give TO him any sum from $25 to $50
II GovensBy's brother failed to wiz
the suit the money was to be returned
Govensky says he informed Schmidt
that he had no money for that purpose
and was informed, he declares, that
without money We cant do the
work"
Schmidt further explained that he
would receive only 81 or SO out OF the
amount, as most OF it would go to
swing the other jurors. Schmidt said
Re was sure OF the man in front OF
him and the one beside him, but
there were several who would have 10
be paid Schmidt said he had worked
the scheme several times during the
term, but Govensky says he mentioned
no particular cases. Asked why the
money was to be paid to Gies. Coven
sky says Schmidt explained that was
done so that In case the plan was dis
covered he could swear that he re
ceived no money from Govensky
Govensky notified Philip McHugh
his mothers attorney. of Schmidts
alleged proposition. and the lawyer
promptly notified the court.
Allan II. Frazer has been appointed
friend of the court to conduct the in
vestigation, which. IL Is said will In
volve other jurors before i is com
pleted.