The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-04-12
Cases Against Manager and
Two Operators Dismissed
-Theater Will Open To
morrow, lt Is Said.
OTHER THEATERS MAY
FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE
Keller Says 1t Is Probable
Nothing Will Be Done If
Performances Are Given
Under Same Conditions.

A verdict of not guilty was returned
by the jury last night in the case OF
Omer G.. Murray. owner of the Muir
rette and Murray theaters. charged
with violating the Sunday amusement
act on April 8, when performances OF
the Murrette motion picture theater
were given after the owner. Mr.. Muir
ray and the manager, +. q. Davidson
had been warned that they We're act
ing in direct violation OF the law. The
case which was tried before the jury
in city court yesterday, required the
entire day for the hearing the jury
receiving the case at 4:30 and return
ing the verdict at $40 O'Clock. f. G..
Davidson, manager of the Murrette
theater. stated today that another
benefit performance will be given
there tomorrow afternoon for the
flood sufferers of Indiana towns. 9th
er motion picture theater owners viii
probably fall in line with the policy
adopted by o. G. Murray.
Six ballots were required before a
verdict was returned, in five ballots
nine jurors standing for acquittal and
the verdict, the jury called for the
state statutes and the court and law
yers in the case. but were refused as
this is contrary to law.
In the arguments of the case, scrip
ture quotations were used by the at
torneys. Extracts from the Bible were
quoted and misquoted and the defen-
dant was compared with Biblical char
acters by both the attorney for the
defense and the prosecuting attorney.
After short instructions 10 the jury
when the arguments had been COM
pleted. Mayor Zimmerman stated
The jury will now adjourn 20 elect
one of its members president" A. W.
Gregg was elected foreman of the
jury.
Dismiss Other Cases.
The cases against r. G. Davidson.
manager of the Murrette and Law
renee Feasel and Raymond Milling.
operators. were dismissed on the mo-
ton of Prosecuting Attorney Keller.
These men were employed at the the
ater at the time when the benefit
performances were given on Sunday.
April 8.
o. G. Murray denied this morning
that he had made the statement that
he was in favor of wide open town.
while talking TO Mr.. Keller" stated
Mr.. Murray, Il asked him why he had
not stopped the lecture. to which adj
mission was charged. last Sunday ar
ternoon. Mr.. Keller then asked me
why I had not made out an affidavit
for the arrest OF the persons giving
the affair. / replied that it was none
of my business and that l was not
opposed to such entertainments
II am in favor OF having an open
town but am opposed to having re-
sorts. saloons. vaudeville. or legiti.
mate theatrical performances on Sum
day.
IF the state Law had passed allow.
ing regular theatrical performances
on Sunday, ! would not have opened
the Murray theater or Gennett the
ater on Sunday as it would not pay
me to do so.
In the case OF motion pictures IL IL
different as persons who would object
to vaudeville. find no fault in motion
pictures and as many people would
attend the motion picture theaters on
Sunday as during the week. The
wrong construction was placed on the
statement which / made to Prosecut.
ing Attorney Keller
Arcade May Follow.
In speaking of the opening of mo-
ton picture theaters in Richmond on
Sunday. Roy Parks, manager OF ths
Arcade theater stated, Il do not know
as yet, Just what the policy OF my
theater will be. but I will probably
fall in line should the other theater
owners follow the policy of Mr. Muir
ray I believe that il would be an
excellent thing for the motion picturs
theaters to show pictures on Sunday
and give the proceeds to charitabls
organizations of the city. In this way,
a means would be provided by which
the charities would have plenty Of
money with which to conduct their
work in Richmond and the citizens
would to a great extent be relieved OF
the burden OF caring for the poor"
VIII Not Appeal.
When informed that performances
would be given tomorrow at the Muir
rette theater, Prosecuting Attorney
Keller said, ''If the performance is Civ
en- under the same conditions as last
Sunday, / do not believe that any
thing will be done in the matter. The
jury decided that MIR Murray was not
guilty of a violation of the law and
for that reason / do not believe that
there is any use making any arrests
and repeating the case. ! will not
appeal the case to circuit court I
was perfectly satisfied with the jury
which decided the case yesterday"