Arizona republican., 1919-11-09
bECKHhM SILENT
AS To ALLURE
To Do HIS DUTY
Constable in Handwriting
Beating Scandal in Chan
dler Is Arraigned; Court
Makes Statement

Charles Beckham, constable of the
Chandler precinct, charged with fell
ony in connection with beating Crispin
Ruboleaba with five-foot club while
raigned before Judge C. D. Wheeler
yesterday. Pending his trial he is re-
portable to the sheriff.
Beckham, in a statement in open
court, said that it was true he had
4 handcuffed the Mexican, attaching the
handouts to a brace on his automo-
bile. Here he hesitated, and then said
he went away and don't know what
happened but when l returned found
the man had been beaten seriously
over the back"
According to the court records and
the records of the county attorneys
office. o. II. Kunce, a cotton grower of
the Chandler district, accompanied
Beckham on his mission of arrest
Kunce was present and admits that
he switched the Mexican. A club
larger than the large end of billiard
cue was used. according TO the off
cial records. in the beating of the Mex
lean. This club is now in the custody
of Judge Wheeler.
Struck Many Times
When the Mexican was taken to the
county attorneys office his back was
examined. IL was also examined in
open court. Judge Wheeler and r. A.
Jarrett, assistant county attorney,
both agree that the Mexican's back for
a foot square was black las the ace
of spades" with decorations in places,
and that to do such a brutal job one
would have to strike not less than a
dozen times with a heavy stick.
Kunce was placed under arrest Fri
day, following the beating and was
tried before Judge Wheeler, He con-
fessed to taking part in the affair
His charge was reduced to simple bat
terry and he was fined 5000 and 30 days
in the county Jail. but the Jail SEN
tence was suspended. pending further
developments in the Beckham case.
The Mexican testified that Beckham
after the beating, drew his revolver
and told him to beat it to the border
and placed the muzzle of the revolver
against the Mexican's stomach Beck
ham, the Mexican testified, had re-
moved the handouts. Beckham dit
not take the Mexican to jail after the
beating, although he had a warrant or
a misdemeanor charge in his posses
sion.
Beckham, when examined by off.
cials of the county attorneys office
yesterday was asked why he did MOI
perform his duty as an arresting Off
Ger by taking the prisoner to Jail. He
offered no explanation. He was in
formed that he should have protected
his prisoner and was asked why he die
not do so. He again offered no expla.
nation,
Burden Of Blame on Beekham
\ The county attorneys office wa.
represented at the arraignment by r
A. Jarrett and Herman Lewkowitz
Judge Wheeler said:
"The stories told by Kunce. thu
Mexican and Beckham are at vari
ance as to the beating, but neverthe
less the burden of blame must res
with Beckham. an officer, who, re
CARELESS of details in the case, shoul,
have protected his prisoner Kunc
swore 20 the complaint and warran
charging a misdemeanor involving 81
alleged theft, was issued by the Chan
dler court. II was Kunces right t
accompany Beckham in making III
arrest, but there the matter end
Neither one nor both had any right I
strike the prisoner. The single dut
of the officer was to take the prisons
to Jail to await his hearing in a coul
1 OF Justice"