The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1911-06-05
FRESH SINISTER IS
FOUND GUILTY
Vendor of Plasters Fined
For Accosting Hammond
Lady on Streets.


distinction of being the only Hammond
lawyer admitted to the United States
supreme court. appeared as his own
client in Justice E. P. Ames' court this
morning to defend himself on the
charge of provocation, the charge hav-
ing been preferred against him by Mrs.
w J. Cotton of 3I6 State street. Koontz
demanded a jury of twelve of his peers
and the jury. after short deliberation.
found the lawyer guilty and assessed
a fine of SIS, which added TO the court
costs. will total about $40. Koontz
asked for an appeal and Justice Ames
fixed his bond at $500. There were but
three witnesses, Mrs. Cotton, Michael
Highlands who is a railroad man, and
Koontz who practices law and sells
patent medicine. The case was called
for 9 o'clock and the trial had not pro-
gressed very far before the court room
was unable to hold ali the spectators
who gathered in anticipation of enter
tainment in seeing Koontz perform
He did not disappoint the audience, for
there was continual suppressed laugh
ter breaking out in the various cor
ners of the room. The arrangement of
the jury seats did not satisfy the bar
rister and the small space allowed him
handicapped him in striking various
effective poses. Judge Ames admonish-
ed him number of times to desist
from brow beating and arguing with
the witness, Mr.. Highland. and at times
it seemed as though Highland would
loose his temper
Mrs. Cotton Tells Positive story.
Highland told how on Thursday
night of last week. Mrs. Cotton came
to him at the corner of Sohl and State
streets and said that Koontz had in
suited her. Koontz attempted to con-
fuse the witness as to latters route on
that particular night. and it was on
this point that the argument ensued.
"I'n remember you old, kid" said
Highland, to Koontz' as he left the
stand. and Koontz Immediately asked
for a warrant to arrest Highland on
the charge OF provocation, but Judge
Ames said he would not issue any until
after the trial then in progress. koontz
did not ask for it afterward
Mrs Cotton told a positive story on
the witness stand. She said that she
was going to a lodge meeting on
Thursday night when she met Koontz.
She said he accosted her by saying
Hello Dearie" and that he asked her
| for her company. She said she follow
| ed him to get good luck at him and
| that she then met Mr.. Highland. whom
| she asked to help her to find a police
| man.
Remembers Meeting Woman.
Koontz said that Mrs. Cotton was
| a stranger to him and that he did not
remember seeing her before today He
said that some women did pass him
on State street, near the postoffice, on
Thursday night: that she appeared to
be under the influence of liquor and
that she was rather poorly dressed. He
| said that she remarked as she passed
! him You think you look d-m cute
with that white hat of yours He
said he paid no attention to her. but
walked on his way and that he later
! turned around and said to her, You
must be looking for trouble
Attorney George Miller appeared as
! special prosecutor for the state. and
! in his closing argument referred to
Koontz as a member of the profession
and said that he prosecuted him un-
willingly. inasmuch as they were of the
same profession. He urged the jury,
however, not to hesitate to punish a
| fellow the kind of which, he said, Ham
mond already has too many.
Koontz threw himself on the mercy
| of the jury, saying that he was a re-
spectacle citizen in Hammond and that
Hammond needed him and men of his
| caliber.
Il have no dearies." said Koontz, on
1 cross-examinati ton, but in his closing
| argument he said that he had a sweet
| heart in Cedar Rapids, Ia The jury
| was out but fifteen minutes and only
| two ballots were required the first
having been to for conviction.