The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-09-14
SHE CLOSES UP
Wife Wouldn't Testify in
"White Slave" Case Today.
Unless She Appears Against
Husband, No Action.
DON'T FEEL LIKE TALKING"
Mrs. w. HI. Jensen Would Not
Answer Court Questions.
On Bond She Dug Up a Book
Full of Checks.
DON'T FEEL LIKE TALKING"

The proposed white slave" case
against w. H. Jensen, concessionaire
at the State Fair. fell flat today when
Mrs. Jensen refused to testify against
her husband.
The written statement given by Mrs.
Jensen to the United States marshars
office containing charges against the
husband, is not worth more than the
paper it is written upon, unless she
volunteers to testify. L. S. Harvey,
assistant United States district at
torney, was in Topeka from Kansas
City to start proceedings, but when he
observed Mrs. Jensen's attitude he
left.
Jensen was arrested primarily on a
warrant charging him with assault
and battery Mrs Jensen, with
swollen features. filed a complaint
with the county attorney Wednesday,
and a warrant was issued Immediately.
Jensen was placed in Jail. But over
night the woman experienced change
of heart. Early today she consulted
a lawyer, and asked what could be
done with her if she refused to testify
against her husband in the assault
case. Nothing" the lawyer advised
her.
The case was called in the court of
Topeka and Mrs. Jensen took the
stand. Jensen had no attorney. Mrs.
Jensen, witness for the state, objected
to that.
"Why can't we have an Attorney"
she demanded.
you have" replied Judge Fisher,
pointing to Rad Lee. ut is not Gus
tomary for the court to appoint an
attorney for defendant charged with
a misdem eanor. That's the reason your
husband has none"
Half a dozen questions were asked
of Mrs. Jensen. She stated that she
and Jensen weer married at Ell Paso
February %, this year, and that she
met him about two months before they
were married. She baked when At
torney Lee asked her where she met
Jensen.
do L have to answer these ques-
lions without an attorney" she asked.
1t was explained again that Lee was
her attorney but she couldn't see it
that way.
Didn't Feel Like Talking.
81 don't want to talk today. 1 don't
feel like it, she said.
WELL said Judge Fisher, L can
continue this case until next Tuesday
If you want your husband to stay in
jail in the meantime
81 thought this case was dismissed"
spoke up Jensen.
you have another think coming"
said the court.
"She refused to testify"
81 know it, said the court, ''but
we are not thru with her yet and no
one but the court can dismiss this
case
And Jensen, who was standing up,
sat down.
What will it cost to continue the
case until we can get ready for it ?"
asked Mrs Jensen
1T will take 500 cash bond for
yourself and we will put your hus-
band under a $500 bond,'' said Judge
Fisher.
She Had Money.
Mrs. Jensen went into the clerks
office and dug up book full of Wells
Fargo checks. She tore out five $40
checks and turned them over to the
clerk. Jensen went back to Jail.
mo use waiting around for any
thing to come out of this said L. S.
Harvey. assistant district attorney.
I'VE must have more than the state
ment or testimony OF a wife to convict
place L don't believe she will stand pat
and testify against Jensen. In the sec
ono place, her testimony alone would
be incompetent in a federal court
In the written statement in the pos
| session of the United States marshal S
office, Mrs Jensen declared that her
| husband transported her from one
state to another for immoral pur-
poses; that he took her earnings every
night and abused her when she asked
for enough money to buy her break
fast. In filing the assault complaint
she stated that he struck her because
she asked him for money with which
to buy breakfast Wednesday morning.
Today however. Mrs. Jensen ap-
ho faT fin Il