Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-04-03
ROBERTS BRANDED
AS CRIMINAL CHIEF
Terre Haute Prosecutor Says Mayor
Had Finger in "All the Dirty
0utrages."
EVERYBODY DID IT FOR MONEY

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, April q
After Judge Anderson, in the United
States district court, had overruled
motions to instruct the jury to bring
in verdicts of not guilty, Milton w.
Mangus, assistant United States dis
trict attorney yesterday began the
opening argument in the trial OF the
Terre Haute election fraud case. Each
side was given ten hours for argu-
ments, which means that the case
will not go to the jury until late Mon
day or Tuesday Of next week.
says Evidence Insufficient.
Clarence Nichols, attorney for
William Doyle and George Woodall,
moved that the court instruct the
Jury to bring in verdict OF not
guilty for his clients, on the ground
that the evidence introduced against
them by the government was not suf-
flcient to constitute a prima facie
case.
A. o. Stanley, attorney for Mayor
Dom NJ. Roberts and the majority
OF the twenty-eight defendants, made
a similar motion on behalf of George
Govern, Pearly Mckay Andrew
O'Brien, Joseph O'Mara and Richard
Knuckey.
Jury Not Present.
After United States District Attorney
IN
motions Judge Anderson made his ruling.
He stated that the evidence against Doyle
was the weakest link in the chain. but
that it was sufficient TO be given to the
Jury 10 decide. The Jury was not present
Surfing the consideration OF the motions
Dom Roberts was the real leader OF
The conspiracy and had his finger in all
tiic dirty outrages." Mr.. Mangus asserted
"He had direct charge Of the con-
spirators
lie asserted that money was the motive
Tor the conspiracy and that loyalty 60
party was no excuse for the many crimes
committed In connection with the cleo
ton OF November g. 1914 in Terre Haute."
lie said Eli IT, Redman Joined the con-
spiracy for tho salary he would receive
as Judge that the city employees entered
u In order to hold their position and draw
their pay; and that the saloon keepers
and gamblers were in the conspiracy be-
cause OF the favors they would obtain
from the city administration.
No LO0phoIe Left.
Mr. Mangus referred 10 the testimony
of Policeman Thomas Barry and Detec-
tive Fred Armstrong, who were called by
the defense and on cross-eXamination
gave evidence favorable TO the govern
nnent as THE evidence that made the
case undisputablc and the opportunity for
the government TO foreclose on the de-
PENDANTS. II they had no gap left for
escnas."
Speaking OF the seventy-nine of tho
eightyseisht who have pleaded guilty.
that anpeared witnesses for the govern
mont. AR. Manages said:
For many OF thea II was the first
opportunity of their iives 10 come into
court and tell the truth. Fraud had been
their livelihood and they had ben told
that the sheriff, the courts and the police
were with them. You gentlemen OF the
jury could see the gladness on their
faces as they came here 10 the witness
stand confessed their crimes and light
ened their conscience without receiving
any promises of immunity or leniency
whatever from the government.
Arc of Tive Classes,
The witnesses for the defense were
OF two classes-first those that were dis
honest and periured themselves; and sec
ond. the honest men who on cross-ex-
animation had 10 admit the real criminal
acts OF the defendants"
The assistant district attorney spoke
for two hours. Five attorneys for the de-
fenss will speak and Mr.. bailey will con-
clude for the government.