The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-10-29
ACCUSED DECLINE
TO GIVE TESTIMONY
Stiff Defense Apparent at Pol.
lock Murder Hearing

The stift nature of tho defense to 90
put up by the Western Federation OF
Miners tor the nine men charged with
the murder of Deputy Sheriff Pollock,
October S, was disclosed this morning
at their hearing before justice Little
N Honghton. lhe nine men charged
with the murder are; John Joseph
and George Gasparch. George Brisk.
Luka and Joseph Pleze, Philip Jakovich
Steve PGnich and William kral.
1ne examination for the people was
conducted by Prosecuting Attorneys
Lucas md Nichols. and Attorneys Le-
Gendre and McNally appeared for the
defense. The examination was marked
BY continuous tilt between the attor-
neys for both sides.
The early witnesses were unimpor-
tant insofar as producing any new
testimony was concerned. These wit
nesscs, Herman Mattson. Henry Bres-
nahan. Deputy Sheritfs Mccarthy and
Donovan. prs. Turner and Paull, Of
fered testimony regarding the iinding
OF the dying Pollock and the facts Of
his death and the causes therefor. Fol.
lowing these witnesses, Luka Plese was
called to the stand
Flese is one OF the defendants. At
torney LeGendre ordered him not 20
take the stand. and John AIalnar was
sworn in rs interpreter IN order that
piaoa's nanoti,utionat ,{uhte ,,,igbt ~
explained 10 him. After q long argu-
ment and explanation. plese said: Il
lon't want 20 talk" He WAS asked
# he had signed perthat was shown
him. He answered: Il don't want to
speak" Plese was then excused and
George Brisk another defendant, was
called. The same attempt at eXamIna-
tion was made In Brlskrs case. but he
1vailed himself of his rights and was
excused
The papers shown Plesc and Brisk
were confessions they rad signed dur
ing the early Investigation OF the case.
Mike Knecz was the next witness
He was shown a statement which wa
signed with his marks. He denied all
knowlcdec of tho facts stated therein,
but admitted having signed the state
ment. He said:
Il had to say everything because
they scared me"
Asked IL he had not ACCOMPANIED
the prosce,itmg attorney ana officers
TO Huroutown 10 and out . place re-
ferred Ia in the statement. he said:
"Thev Nad me mixed up; they'd mix
the devil"
In this statement. KroCz said tina:
on the morning OF tho Pollock killing
he had met Lulla Plcse and "Paliko's"
The lattcr being Joe GaspaTich, anoth-
or Of the defendants. They were es-
corting Joscnn Mancrich, the man who
died. Knec2 took "Paji
KOS" place and helped Manerich n
Tony Pntar's house. In his sienec
Knocz said that Pleso said,
after Mancrich was taken into the
house, we fV The deputies"
crAa'es Excitement in Court.
Phillio Jr'yovich, one Of tho defend
ants, created ripnlc of excitement
durinc the proceedings. when he eX-
hi5ited his left arm, exposing dan
gerous looking stiu eruption which ho
assorted was small poX lie maintain
cd Tint he contracted the disease whilr
confined in the county jail. Deputy
Sheriff MeLouotlin cvplainCd that
COUNTY Physician Lahlno hos boon
treating the prisoner. but that the .nhy-
siciau Giarnosed the case as harm
less skin ermuon. Joc';ovich persist
ed thai he was victim of smnilnoX
ana declared that he could not slecu |
AZ rirht. DIR. paul one Of the wit !
nesscs. cVsmirod the prisoner after |
dnd A,hstartiated the
nhvsicians diagnosis
Prosecuting Attorney Lucas stated |
AZ The noon adjournment that he in
tended 10 swrsr out warrant for
Eraoz IN CHARGE of reriurv.
Charles C,orutovioh. tho intCrnroter /
~ the ti~o tho confess sions of uSn /!
plesc ana George Brisk were made,
Continued on sth PAGE. 3rd Column.