The Detroit times., 1910-06-29
veneer DIDN'T
AID ARMSTRONG
ATTORNEY COLGROvE.
Counsel For Accused Warden Says
Defendant Told Grand Jury De-
Tense Was Fabrication.
ATTORNEY COLGRovE.

JACKSON, Mich, June 29.-The
prosecution rested it's case against
Acting Warden Wenger today. Attor-
ney Colgrove. In his opening state
ment TO the jury, said he would show
that Wenger's reputation had been the
best; that Armstrong did ask him TO
help him, but that he refused and told
the grand jury Armstrong; defense
was a fabrication, which brought
about Armstrong; confession.
A number of witnesses from Ber-
rien county. where Wenger formerly
lived, were called TO the stand and
said Wenger's reputation was first
class. The witnesses were Dixon 3.
Scoffern, president OF the bank OF
Niles; Charles F. Pierce, a banker,
OF Buchanan; w. II. Andrews, prose
cutting attorney of Berrien county,
and Sheriff Johnson and Roy Clark,
clerk OF ST. Joe county.
Deputy Warden Hollinrake testified
that Wenger shortly after Armstrong;
arrest, told him Armstrong had been
to him and requested him to say he
armstrong; had shown him
(Wenger) marked money, and that he
had taken 1t from Green to trap him.
that Mr.. Wenger told Hollinrake that
he would not do IL, that he would not
perjure himself for any one. Holm.
rake also swore that Armstrong later
called him into his Office and said
Wenger was not standing by him in
his defense and wanted Hollinrake TO
have faith in him because he mighs
want to use him.
Witness said he didn't tell Arm
strong whether he would, but simply
replied he hoped he would get out OF
II all right. Witness said he was Lot
asked about this when he was before
the grand jury and he didn't tell IT,,
but said he did report IT to George
Merriman, president Of the board OF
control. within a few days after Arm
strong had the talk with him.
The defense then put on the stand
III. M. Thompson. hallmaster, and Ar
thur Sweet, prison engineer, both OF
whom testified that Deputy Warden
Ryan told them after the grand jury
had been discharged that II was not
true that he had testified that Wenger
told him Armstrong had shown him
money and that he was going to trap
Green
The testimony Of Allen H. Armstrong
yesterday afternoon has Weakened the
case of the prosecution. (which seeks
to convict Acting Warden John Wen
ger, of Jackson prison, OF perjury.
Armstrong WIS not positive on import.
ant p0ihts when Ne tod his story.
He was followed on the stand by
Attorneys Cobb and Minor, who were
Armstrong; legal advisers after his
arrest Mr.. Cobb said Armstrong in.
formed him he could not discredit
Gen. Green, Convict Warren was ask
ed to make a written statement Of the
proof he was supposed to have against
Green. Warren wrote that Green had
sent out checks to certain members
of the board of control In payment
for their work In awarding him the
contract the Wallersstein firm had
held.
Cobb said he believed Warren's
story. Wenger was present at the
conference. Cobb said Armstrong,
previous to his arrest. showed him
some money and said he had trapped
Green. Cobb said what Wenger. In
getting the statement from Warren,
was done at his (Cobb's) request.
Cobb said he later found that Warren
had not told the truth.