South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-19
TRIAL At HIGH SCHOOL;
VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY
Four Freshmen, Charged With
Remaining in Gymnasium
After Hours, Are Freed After
Unique Trial.

The mathematics room in the high
school was crowded to capacity on
Thursday afternoon by both sexes to
hear the trial OF four freshmen Who
were charged with staying after hours
In the gymnasium. This is an offense
punishable by expulsion from the ath-
letlc association. The room for once
was transformed into a court Of law
with all the dignity anc seriousness Of
a high court of justice, in evidence
The Judge, Chester Bussert. as ne
took his seat on the wOOlsack, swelled
with pardOnable pride. He was the
cynosure OF every eye in the audience.
The girls would have firted with
him only his judicial airs were some
what dlScOTnfOrting.
Bring the prisoners before the
bar, he demanded on taking ms seat
With that a freshman marched INTO
court with four of his confercres
Paul Crooks. Dean SWineheart Glen
Mcmillan and Michael Pauchuski-
all freshmen. The judge solemnly
read the Indictment after which he
demanded TO know II they had retain
ed counsel. Hardy Stebbens and Mike
boieS rose simultaneously and an
nOunced that they were for the de-
tense. Fred Sicfcrt was then ap-
pointed TO the affluent position Of
states attorney
Eight witnesses were examined for
the defence, and their testimony was
10 the effect that the prisoners were
not in the gymnasium after hours. No
amGtnt OF examination or cross exam
inatiOn could get them 20 swear differ
entity. With only one witness for the
prosecution the ease TO q layman,
looked like lead pipe cinch for the
defence. The learned judge was evil
IDENTIFY deeply perturbed; ne ran his
hands repeatedly through his locks;
he read the law from a library of legal
authorities which lay before him. and
when he called the attorneys for the
defence 10 make their case" ne was
evidently in deep pain.
Stebbins and BOles shone par
ticularly as they dilated on the good
points Of the prisoners; their fair
names were at stake; their character
was being unfairly assailed, and gen
tlemen of the jury (the mem bers Of
the association acted as jurors) if
you eXpel these freshmen from the
association a stain Will be on your es-
cushion which time will never be
a BILE TO eradicate" At this iunctUre
OF the perOration the audience en-
deaVored TO cheer but the presiding
Judge hit the top OF his stand such
resOunding blow that lac broke his
~
turned 10 laughter.
The prosecution made but a feeble
attempt 20 bring the charge home;
and the judge in iustruCting the jury,
had again recourse 20 his legal au-
thOrities from which he quoted so
frequently that the jury on retiring to
deliberate got all mixed up and threw
his summing up to the four corners
of the school room.
The trial had lasted two hours and
the audience was getting impatient to
hear the verdict The jury could
plainly be heard celebrating while
the court was endeavoring to keep the
spectators quiet Finally after some
twenty minutes they returned TO the
court room and the foreman. with
out waiting 10 be asked. pronounced
the verdict of mot guilty" in tones
that made the rafters ring. Pande-
monium broke loose right here. The
girls embraced the erstwhiIe prison
ers; il is believed they would have
done more If the judge had been off
the bench, and the trial was over. 1t
viii undoubtedly be the talk Of the
school until holiday time