The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1913-02-05
Confessions of Parker Broth
ers read Before InveStigat-
ing Body-Saloonists Test
ify About Quarrel.
SELF DEFENSE PLEA
HARDLY PLAUSIBLE
Wives Visit the Men AT Coun-,
ty Jail-Have Little to Say
Concerning Killing on Sat-.
urday Night.

The January term of the Wayne
county grand jury began the probe OF
the White murder case this morning
and a large number of witnesses were
summoned to testify as to their knowl-'
edge of the crime.
The probe will continue tomorrow
and il is not expected that an indict-
ment will be returned until tomorrow
afternoon. Indictments will be re-
turned against both Bert and Clarence
Parker, it is expected.
Though according to the confess
sions of both men. Clarence Parker
was the man who struck Irwin White
the fatal blow last Saturday night on
North A street between Seventh and
Eight streets. an indictment will be
returned against Bert Parker charging
him with being an accessory TO the
crime, il is believed
Witnesses who will testify before
the grand jury allege that they saw
Clarence Parker walking north down
Eighth street several rods ahead OF
his brother Bert. previous to the mur-
der. Their evidence may alter the In
dictments of the grand jury and result
in only one true bill being returned.
which will charge Clarence with muir
der in the frst degree.
SaIoonists Testify.
Proprietors of saloons where the ar
guments between the men started
were before the grand jury TO testify
q m 10 -
cards. Several men who We're in Mil
ler's saloon at the time of the argn-
ment were also supoenaed.
The statements in the confessions
OF the two men, which state that Par
ker struck White with his fist knock
ing him down. is doubted by some OF
the authorities. IL is not believed that
he could strike blow which would
knock the victim to the ground and
break his jaw bone. Parker either
used brick or some kind of a slug
to kill him and after beating him the
way he did, it is believed that he had
knowledge of his death when he left,
him.
The men are now held at the county,
Jail without bond. They have att
tempted to employ legal COUNSEL
though the attorneys sought by the.
men have not stated positively thad
they will take the case.
Self Defense PIea7
Self defense will be the only plaus-
ible defense. However. the fact that
Whites hands were found in his .pock-
cts will not strengthen their case on
this ground. II is alleged by Clarence
Parker that White started to take
off his coat TO defend himself or start
the attack. 1t was while in the act
of taking off his coat that the fatal
blow was struck. according to Parker.
who admits he kicked him after he
fell TO the ground unconscious from
the effects of the blow.
The wives of the two men visited
them at the county Jail last evening
Both men seemed to regret their deeds
but have very little TO say concerning
il. Clarence Parker realizes the seri-l
BUSINESS OF the crime which he has
committed and begins to show effects
of strain. His face is pale and he drops
his eyes when talked to.
Though, according to the confessions
of both Of the accused men, Bert Park
er is innocent OF having taken any ac-
tive part in the crime he is believed TO
have gone with his brother to Tor
becks saloon on North Eighth street.
where the two men contrived the plot
to murder their victim.
Believe Bert Guilty.
Some Of the authorities believe he
was actually with his brother when the
crime was committed. and if Clarence
had needed help would have given it.
Others believe both men participated
in the murder and that Bert helped to
kill White
The confessions of both men were
read to the grand jury and Chief Cor
mon, who was instrumental in procur-
ing the confessions testified before
that body.
The relatives of the murdered man
have filed articles at the court house
asking that the Dickinson Trust COM
pany be appointed administrator OF his
estate He had several small insur-
ance policies.