Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-02-01
MILLER MURDER
TRIAL is NEXT
Many Expected to Attend When Al
legged Slayer of PawnbrOker
Is Brought Into Court.
STATE EXPECTS MUCH DELAY
Counsel for the Defense to File Mo-
ton Asking That Indict-
ment Be Quashed.

When circuit court is convened
Monday afternoon at 2 O'Clock indi-
cations are that the court room will
be TANNED In anticipation OF the
beginning OF the trial OF Arthur
Miller, alias James Ellsworth, alias
Fred Nelson. alias Harry Anderson,
charged with the murder Of Jacob
Schaul. Rock Island pawnbroker.
on the night OF Nov so, 1918.
The case was to have come up
several weeks ago. but upon the
plea of Miller through his attorney,
T. p. Sinnett, the accused man was
granted a continuance until Feb. >
by Judge W T. Church. In the af-
tdaVil presented by his counsel for
continuance Miller stated that ha
wished more time in which to To-
cate and obtain the presence OF two
witnesses In his behalf who he as
serted could prove his innocence of
Schaui's Staying.
Whether these alleged witnesses.
Two In number, and set forth in the
affidavit as Eddie Webster OF Los
Angeles. Cal. and Frank Johnson,
thought to be located now in Peo-
ria, have been obtained IS not
known, although the state predicts
that they will not be produced.
Webster. Miller says. will testify
tina; on the night that Schaul was
shot he and the defendant entered
the slain mans pawnshop for the
purpose Of collecting certain mon
Tvs which the defendant claims 10
have been due him. The alleged
murderer says that Webster will
tes lily that dispute arose over the
amount due Miller and that the al
terca;ion waXed warm, so warm
that Schaul reached for a gun with
the presumed intention of using the
YEA pom upon the defendant. In
the struggle whlc. followed. Miller
eavs Webster will testify. that the
revolver was discharged, its bullet
striking the pawnbroker,
Johnson. the defense claims. will
swear that SchauI purchased from
him the weapon which figures in
me case. and further that Miller
rever owned or possessed a similar
revolver.
May Seek Delay.
Attorneys b. F. Schriyer and T.
p Sinnett. counsel for the defense.
are expected to put forward every
means to delay trial Last Wednes-
day the defendant was brought into
court where before Judge Church
he withdrew his plea Of NOT guilty.
This action was evidently taken by
his attorneys preparatory to filing
u motion asking thai the indictment
against Miller be quashei. In or
Ger to flie such motion there must
be no plea Of the defendant upon
the court record at the time it is
decided.
It is thought probable that Mon
day and perhaps Tuesday will be
spent in arguing a motion to quash
the Indictment against Miller while
after this is passed upon by the
court any number of additional
methods and means may be intro
duced by counsel for the defense
% delay 1t was pointed out by
States Attorney Floyd f. Thomp-
son that it may be a week and over
before Miller's trial will actually be
tegun.
According to the states attorney
perfect web Of discriminating evil
tsence. COnVlCtlng without a SHADOW
of a doubt Miller as SchaUl's muir
derer has been woven about the al
Legged slayer.
viii Ask Death.
If Miller is convicted of the muir
der of Schaul. a particularly cold
FLOODED crime. States Attorney
Thompson declares he will ask the
death penalty as the retribution the
slayer must pay for his deed. The
accused man is considered a dan
gerous man by the state, too dan
gerous even to be committed to
prison. to be reloosed upon society
ut some future date.
All the news all the time-TAe
Argus.
49, 80 va SR Ea