The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-09-09
No JURY UNWlSt At
EsENT, IS STATEMENT
SHEPHERD AND WILKINS
J May Be Necessary Later,
Tut Would Retard Graft
Probe Now
MS BACKS OFFICIALS
Summoning of Jury at
esent Status of Inquiry
ould Be Grave Mistake"
MS BACKS OFFICIALS


h Prosecutor Shepherd and Spe-
Counsel wilkins declared, Satur
hat there Is no necessity at pres.
Or q grand jury TO clean up the
Both declared that the grand
proposition was discussed fully
Detective William j. Burns. dur
conference last Thursday. and
quoted the detective as saying
a grand jury would be inadvis-
and useless. They branded as
utely false the report that the
jury matter was put up to
herd by Burns and that the pros
promised to file a petition.
me people would like to have us
grand jury to help along their
cal fortunes" said Mr.. wilkins.
ring the conference in which
}, Shepherd. Wilkins, Attorney
md F. Hunt. representing Mayor
Epson, and others, participated,
", Mr.. wilkins said to Hunt:
blu know that every fishing
Jury we have had has resulted
In a fiash-in-the-pan and no con-
ms"
it some OF them had a good eff
said Mr.. Hunt.
wilkins conceded that while a
i'm effect might be desirable un-
pertain circumstances that 1t
b be a very unwise thing TO es-
BIZ precedent, and make GUS
OF calling a grand jury and SCI
III indictments for effect"
the hands OF an irresponsible
kcutor, or one actuated by per-
motives, such custom would
ne dangerous" said Mr.. Wilkins.
Hunt did not urge grand jury,
as all the other parties to the
rence were a unit In the under
ling that no grand jury should
hlled, Mr.. wilkins and Mr.. Shep-
could not understand how the
h got abroad that Shepherd was
hlly ordered to call grand jury
that he promised to do SO.
he report that Shepherd prom
Ito call a grand jury is absolutely
-" said Mr.. wilkins. I'VE were
greed that no grand jury should
allied for the present. Person
think there Is possibility
hitting to a probability that a
b jury will be called at some
date II certain things develop.
had been in charge OF this whole
\. should have devoted myself
least six months work prepar-
Evidence for q grand jury, before
X any other action. II Is all right
Xix about a grand jury and the
of one, but there are other
Is to be considered. For instance,
liant ask intelligent questions and
The information you want unless
know what the witnesses know.
must have all your lines made
II you call a grand jury without
the parties you are aiming at
hide their information.
The public thinks the grand jury
|an awful lot OF power. As a mat
BIZ fact a grand jury can't do any
4 unless the prosecutor has the
ence. For that reason II would
cry unwise to call grand jury at
emit. I've handled FL grand juries
i understand something about the
kings OF them. At the conference,
rney Crosse suggested that II we
a grand jury we could get those
WIS down there In the river pre-
Is to talk, whereas they now re-
to say anything to him. That
be true enough. but suppose we
ret more information, what OF II!
have information now that We
use because so far as we have
able TO ascertain there ID no
ute under which we may punish
Offenders. So what good would
e OF a grand jury under those cir
stances? And II We did call a
ID jury, the people would ask why
ildn't combine all the work in the
grand jury-that relating to bood-
as well as that pertaining to en-
nent frauds.
)fficials or persons whom We might
ect have influential friends, they
, been the recipients OF favors
aldermen and city officials. They
Id all combine their interests. We
II call In half the population and
get what we want by proceeding
lat way. A grand jury at this time
Ia actually hurt the case"
70 one has tried to influence me or
: me In regard to my duty in these
s." said Mr.. Shepherd, IN whose
e Mr.. wilkins made his statement.
rms spoke right out and said II
Id be a very grave mistake to cali
and jury.-He and / stand shout.
shoulder In this matter and
e will be no lodging OF RESPONSE
y"