The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1910-03-02
IMMUNITY
BATHS ARE o. K.
tconsinuee from Pare l,


Foreman Albert Hall announced the
sdecision OF his confreres. It was
freely declared that the state has re-
ceived body blow as result OF the
outcome of the Mcbride case.
When the court convened for the
morning session. the case of the state
versus Otto Matthias. charged with
keeping blind pig" was noile pressed
by the state It is understood that this
was done because of the lack Of EVIL
dence.
One Case
Is Nolle Pressed.
The case of James Rogers was the
next docketed and it was announced
by the state that It would be the next
case taken up. An entirely new Jury
was chosen in the case and work began
Immediately to secure the new Jury.
1t is understood that Attorney Mathews
will not take part in the prosecution
of the case at all and may not appear
except IN an advisory capacity in any
of the remaining twenty-eight cases.
The speeches Of counsel for state and
defense in the Mcbride case yester-
day were probably the most sensation
al ever heard in the Lake county cir
cult court. and in some instances
abounded in recrimination, slander ana
fiery fnvectfve. so much so that Judge
Peterson was finally compelled to adj
monish one of the lawyers for the de-
Tense to desist in the practice.
Special Prosecuting Attorney Bruce
made the opening address to the fury,
ana among some of the best parts of
hts speech was heard the following:
AT least 1t cannot be said Of me-
by these men that sit as jurors, that
have been derelict in my duty as I saw
1t in trying of this case. Explained
Attorney Matthew's presence in the
case and thated that he was rightful-
ly and properly there in the provinces
of his duty. Said that If 1t became
necessary that he be compelled to
abandon the practice OF law for any
reason that he could return once more
to the farm and earn his livelihood by
the sweat of his brow. Spoke of the
irreguiarity of the proceedings In the
Gary court and how easy 1t was for
people in ordinary walks OF life to
draw the most unerring conclusions as
to that fact Spoke of the fact Of the
conferences of chief of police and may
or of Gary to override the law of the
state Of Indiana. Dwell Upon the fact
that those who were supposed to up
hold the law and protect the people of
Gary. walking arm In arm with the
violators of the law: listed fifteen rea-
sons why the defendant should be
found guilty. among them being:
!. That he was guilty.
3. Was under bonds to appear at
circuit court at time OF his alleged ar
rest.
.. No arrest of his person had been
-. Charge was filed without knowl-
edge Of defendant
5. Took four days to try Mcbride in
circuit court. Only took about two
hours to try twenty-eight of them in
Knotts' court.
6. Irregular proceedings at Knots
court.
T. Defendant employed attorney who
aided in prosecution ~ cases at Gary
police court.
s. Defendant aided, in preparing at
fidavit.
O. Mayor had been before grand
jury and knew of facts, as he was a
witness.
TO- Mayor admitted defendant was
good friend of his.
IL. Refused to administer lega, scn-
tence.
H. Amount of sentence was VA. ,vn
and inserted in affidavit
49, No legitimate affidavits: afff-
davts in blank for those who wanted
to take immunity bath
IA. Vital relation between defendant
and town authorities. or else how could
twenty-eight men have gathered at DO
lice station at one time
Bruce closed his address with an
earnest plea to the jury to uphold the
law
Attorney McCracken opened for the
defense and his speech was character
lied as a ramble of words. was filled
with personalities that brought down
on his head the censure OF Judge Pet
erson.
He characterized the Mcbride case as
mere police court case" and mis-
demeanor only" Upheld the right of
the Gary court to administer in such
cases said the court only took ad-
vantage Of it's rights. Said the state
had developed an infamous, diabolical
plot to get witnesses to testify false
" Entered again into the Houren
anair and made the statement to the
erect that Houren had been arrested
at Indianapolis for grave robbery. 1t
was here that Judge Peterson again
reprimanded McCracken for the same
offense. second time during the day.
McCracken then went into five
minute eulogy of Mayor Knots. and
said that conditions In Gary were
oinerent THAI elsewhere. Told It
wasn't every community that harbored
such band of pirates that invade
Gary and resort to such methods. Said
the trial was a political fight Said ~
occurred to him that the proceedings
at Gary might act as bar to further
prosecution. Defended Knots right
to suspend sentences
Attorney McAieer of Hammond con-
tinued for the defense. Sails into Mat
thews for appearing as one of lawyers
for state. Asked why they should go
outside of Lake county and way to
plymouth, Ind. for lawyer when
Lake count had regular prosecutor.