The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1910-07-26
THE LESSON OF THE POOL ROAD
CASE.

THE LESSON OF THE POOL ROAD
CASE.
The Pool road murder mystery
brings home forcibly to us a fault in
the operation OF our penal system.
which should be remedied. Four men
have been arrested ON two different
theories, all of whom are now sup
posed to be innocent. In justice to
the authorities II must be admitted
that one now in Jail deserves all he
got, for he told some one he commit
ted the crime Two others were held.
because a woman mistook the corpse
for her son. Naturally the police
couldn't be blamed for being de-
ceived. II the mother was. nor was
II likely that they would doubt the
confession of a youth, who was in
the vicinity, that he committed the
crime.
Yet. II rested with an attorney for
the defense in both instances TO set
at naught direct evidence with CIR
|cumstances that gave a different d.
rection to any deductions that could
possibly be made from facts In the
possession of the police. In the first
instance, Attorney David Browning
produced the boy, who was supposed
to have been murdered. In the next
he practically refuted the defendants
own confession with new facts and
even went so far as to develop new
Chew that apparently seemed reason
able TO the county Judge
These same facts and clews which
Attorney Browning was impelled by
his desire to secure the release of
his clients. to examine. were right
where he found them all the time.
ready to tell the same story 10 others
that they told TO him Why did II
rest with a criminal lawyer in his
struggles in behalf of his client to
produce evidence. which cleared four
innocent men of a charge of murder. !
and may point to the actual perpet-
'ator of the crime? Supposing Red"
Thompson had remained in obscurity |
/ year. what would have saved CURE
md Hale? Supposing Attorney |
Browning had been content 10 earn
lie fee with a perfunctory defense OF
Dean and Farrin, what would have
aved them in the face of Farrin's
and the woman's testi-
nony?
Officers of the law are just as re-
IL not more so. for the pro-
ection of the rights OF individuals.
" for the punishment OF individuals.
nd II Is no small thing even to be
hrust into prison to await trial for
omething one did not do.
In some cities newspapers take
lpon themselves the duty Of running
Iown criminals. The Evening Sun
refraiEed from interfering
n this case. Our conception OF a
newspaper Is the mouth-piece OF the
'ublic, not deputy law enforcer, and
his Is the criticism we believe the
'ublic has for the method of law en-
orcement here and elsewhere.
There is too little active co-opera-
ion between city and county officers
nd prosecuting officials, Not only
he police and the sheriff's Office
hould act together when a crime is
Committed; but the county prosecut-
ng officer should get into the quest
With equal vim. A mind accustomed
o Sitting truth, weighing evidence,
leducing theories from facts, cross
witnesses, and free from
hat anxiety to make a quick show
ng. which cannot be far removed
rom the mind of the officer of the
aw in such case, would prevent
'lunders and insure a greater respect
or the law, born Of swift and sure
etribution for its infraction.
1t cannot always be said that pros
,cuting officers evince the same zeal
n the interest OF society that they
10 in the interest OF private clients
n a civil case; nor do police always
as great desire to protect
he innocent from wrong, as to con
'ict someone OF a crime.
Police in all our cities could
AXE leaf from the note book OF the