Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-07-15
lEFENSECHARGES
STATE is UNFAIR
IN PROSECUTION
,,,.rss Political Plot Is Respon-
s;ble for Present Magin-
Bruner Trial.
OPENING ADDRESSES MADE
"a Wood Scores Officials and
,.,i,,,s Them Guilty Of
Wholesale Corruption.

-,,,hv for Oscar L. Bruner, occupied
o,,ira time OF the circuit court
-. forenoon in opening arguments
: hehatf OF their clients AS soon
,ha iurv box was filled with II men
= are to decide the innocence or
=. ~ the sheriff and former states
s,to-ney. Yesterday afternoon Special
s..,e,s Attorney George w. Wood pre-
..,tsd his case charging the defend
.-,s with the crime. The counsel lot
s-ssnse today refuted the charges and
scented a statement of PROOF they
s-,snd to produce through witnesses
= the falsity OF the allegations.
Not to Call johnson.
7, ts practically certain now. unless
he defense takes the initiative, that
n 2 Johnson of Los Angeles. Cal,
sormer mayor of East Moline, will not
~ called TO Rock Island to testify in
ne case. In the arguments last week
ever the bill OF particulars the name
AZ DR.. Johnson was brought in by the
defense. as able to impeach the evil
1s,es OF Adolph Wander Beke, East
Moline saloonkeeper. alleged by the
urosecution Of accepting SO slush fund
from East Moline saloon men, money
aid to have been turned over to Me
Ill and Bruner. In consideration OF
This. II is claimed, information against
Wander Beke in the county court was
dismissed by Magill, then states at
torney.
Prosecutor Wood at that time said
he would bring Johnson here on a writ
and the defense could use him il they
saw 1T. Today. when questioned, he
said there seemed no necessity for
Johnson to appear as witness in this
trial and the state would not send for
him. The defense has intimated IL
has no intention of calling for DR..
Johnson's presence. He will come OF
his own free will, It is stated, when
the Joint case against he and Magill
Is called at a subsequent term OF
eourt.
Had Right TO Dismiss.
Attorney Dietz, appearing for Ma
gill, concluded his opening statements
this morning and outlined the facts
which he believes are sufficient evil
tence OF the former states attorneys
innocence of the charges returned in
the indictment. He traced in detail
the various cases. particularly the
Wander Beke, Billburg, Nell Hill and
Choutski cases. to prove that dismis-
sails by Magill OF prosecution were
proper in every way and would be
proven by the evidence during the
trial. The counsel cited the fact that
during Magill's four years in the office
Of states attorney a total OF 3,30V
criminal cases, complaints, informa-
tons OF one kind and another. etc,
had been docketed. OF these 135 were
dismissed or nolle pressed for cause.
The state now comes in" declared
Dietz, with a scattering 10 or 15 of
these cases in an attempt to prove a
conspiracy. II is sufficient to say that
IN the evidence to be submitted here,
Il viii be proven that not once did
Nagill ever dismiss a case, or as mem
Der Of the bar of this county, handle
case, in which his conduct could be
Questioned. He acted to the best OF
his judgment and in strict accord
snce with the law"
The innocence OF Sheriff o. L. Bru-
rer OF any attempt to enter into a
conspiracy TO corrupt the administra-
ton OF Justice was stoutly maintained
oy Attorney 8. r. Kenworthy, his at
orney, for two hours this morning.
his arguments were not completed at
noon, when the court took recess I'M
q 2 o'clock
Plot Is Charged.
The counsel charged there was a
eeep political plot behind the prosecu-
uon OF his case Matched in commit
'ee rooms Of the board of supervisors,
ne chairman and certain members of
snieh had political ambitions which
esnanded the downfall OF good heart
O. Whole souled 'Os' Bruner." The
l1mes OF George Richmond, chairman
w me board. and active candidate for
1aerin. and John Miller. deposed dep
~ sherin under Bruner, were re-
peAtediy brought into play as conse-
saential forces In the prosecution of
he case.
was evident from Kenworthy's
eDening statement that the defense
W enoeavor TO secure acquittaI for
defendants on the following
grounds:
mat there Is a scandalous political
1'enent In Rock Island county re-
'->ioie for the prosecution of the
and that II is satisfaction Of pri-
enmities toward the defendant
Plot 10 spell their political ruin.
80 not desire TO hold a fair inves-
uon Of alleged political corruption
mas inspired the case.
:. nat the state has presented 10 or
. Noseiy connected cases on which
sOiish even faintest grounds for
anspirsey OF such a nature as is
sed Is impossible; that they do
- oovetail into one another TO prove
PUNT, as the state declares.
nat The state Will go wrong in en-
senns to cite alleged irreguIari-
~ ale Offices OF Bruner and Ma,
- While serving the county, with
ay bearing on the charge In the
,,seat' this 10 be done in order to
-. use the Jury IN returning a YER
u the basis OF the one central