The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-30
Tried to Influence Decision,
Written Statement Says.
BRIGGS SHOT ROY BLUNT
South Omaha Official Recon-
mended Held for Killing.
Other Officers Declared Access
sOries to Farmers Death.

Springfield. Neb., March SO.=The
members of the coroner's jury in the
Blunt inquest today, in a signed state
ment, resented what they termed the
Interference Of Governor AIdrich in a
letter written to Coroner Armstrong.
TIe'r declare it was evidently writ
with view to influencing the
-ny."
The state follows:
''To the Public:
THE members of the coroner's Jury
which heard and deliberated on the
evidence presented at the inquest held
over the body of Roy Blunt the
young man whose misfortune 1t was
to become a victim of the tragedy en-
when he lost his life as the result of
wanton and indiscriminate shooting by
officers of the law who sought to at
tain their object regardless of the fact
that they knew an innocent life was
in jeopardy, wish to resent the inter-
ference of the governor of Nebraska
in sending a letter to The coroner and
citizens of Springfield indicating their
inability, and lack of intelligence in
handling matter of this serious char
acter.
Taking as an excuse what he terms
yellow journalism for this unmerited
interference, he seriously reflects on
the citizenship of the people and their
ability to uphold the dignity of the
law. His letter was evidently written
with a view to influencing the jury.
despite his assertion that they should
let no excitement or prejudice in any
way Influence the jury in this investi-
CATION
I'VE feel. therefore. that we should
take this step to resent the action Of
our chief executive in taking a hand
in a matter which our own people
were able to take care of themselves
"The inquest was held in an opera
oil Ia affH
zens were entitled to hear the evil
dence 1t was carried out in a most
orderly manner, with absolutely no
show or attempt to make ii a 'qtagsd
contained in the governors letter as
stain on the records of a peace low
ing and lawabiding community"
Resentment of the action of the
governor in sending a letter to the
coroner to be read at the inquest was
freely voiced.
There was a feeling of relief here
following the midnight verdict. Two
brothers of the dead man were in the
town seeking knowledge of what had
been the verdict.
The jury in the inquest over the
body of Roy Blunt shortly after mid
night returned a verdict recommend
ing that Chief of Police Briggs OF
South Omaha, his special deputy Jno.
c. Trouton, and Sheriff Hyers, OF
Lincoln, be held to the district court
lOI the hl1lliE OL iAON bluHl ana LnaI
Sheriff Grant Chase, of Sarpy county.
be censured for not preventing the
shooting which resulted in Blunt's
death.
The verdict says:
Roy Blunt came to his death on
the 18th day of March, 1912. from
the effects of a gun shot wound in
flicted by a A or As calibre rifle ball
fired from a rifle held in the hands OF
Chief of Police John Briggs of South
Omaha.
1--WE also find that Sheriff Hyers
of Lancaster county, and John c.
Trouton, of South Omaha, were ac-
cessories and recommend that they
be held TO the district court.
I'VE further find. according to the
evidence introduced, that Sheriff
Grant Chase failed to exercise due
authority in restraining the members
of the posse from firing into the wag-
on occupied by the convicts and Roy
Blunt, and. therefore, is deserving Of
great censure.