The Detroit times., 1909-05-01
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. 40
HancOck-ave. east. q juror In tho CIR
cult court, solicited . bride ana urQzr
ised % swing . jury mlretnxn Cor =
money, IL the Sensational allegation
OF John Govensky, drug clerk On
|ployed In Van Vliet's drug more, -
No. 107 Grati0tave.. In an 9n1dAvit
fled In the circuit court, Saturday
morning. On the strength OF thin AZ
fldayit 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, sad then before Judga Cooper.
His bail was fixed at $500, with two
sureties, and Aid. A. A. Deimel was
on hand prepared TO act as one of the
bondsmen. Schmidt sent for q num-
Der of friends whom he thought would
be willing to go on his bond.
John Govensky. who makes the at
fidavit, Is a brother of Frank Goven-
sky. plaintiff In a suit for damages
against the Grand Laundry Co. which
was on trial in Judge Cooper's court
for several days. Because OF state
ments made to the Judge, Wednesday
morning, the case was stopped. and q
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 apd 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, Co
vensky alleges, that he had a friend
named Giles, also a juror, but In an
other court, and that they would work
| II between them. According to the
proposal, Govensky was to meet Gies
In Roemer's saloon on Bates-st.. and
give to him any sum from SIS to $50.
| III Govensky's brother failed to win
| the suit tO6 luOnOy Wdc w w fotut hCos
Govensky says he informed Schmidt
that he had no money for that purpose,
and was informed. he declares. that
without money we can't do the
work"
Schmidt further explained that he
would receive only - or SO out OF the
amount, as most of II would go to
swing the other jurors. Schmidt said
re was sure of the man in front of
| him and the one beside him, bu.
there were several who would have TO
be paid Schmidt said he had worked
the scheme several times during the
term, but Govenshy says he mentioned
no particular cases. Asked why the
money was to be paid to Giles. Coven-
sky says Schmidt explained that was
done 80 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
volvo other jurors before II is com
pleted.