Omaha daily bee., 1919-03-28
DETECTIVE WHO
SHOT SOLDIER :
IS ARRESTED
Knudtson Nearly ColIapses
When He Is Taken into
Custody by Constable;
Judge Issues Warrant.

Guy B. Knudtson. the city detec-
tive who attacked and shot down
Private Charles Coleman, Camp
Dodge soldier, last week at Twen-
tieth street and Capitol avenue, was
arrested yesterday morning.
Knudtson was apprehended on in
formation prepared by ]. H. Ready,
assistant county attorney, and sign
ed by F. R. Finn. Coleman's uncle.
The detective is being held on "a
charge of wilfully, unlawfully,
maliciously and feloniously shooting
with intent to kill and commit muir
der.
The warrant was issued by Judge
w. R. Patrick of the municipal
court.
Knudtson was arrested in the
Army building, Fifteenth and Dodge
streets. He was being questioned
by 1t. H. f. Weeks, judge advocate
of Camp Dodge, in regard to the
shooting, when Constable Zack FL
lis, after searching for two hours for
the detective, served the warrant.
Knudtson nearly collapsed when
told he was under arrest. His voice
trembled, his face paled and he
seized the arms of the chair in which
he was seated. 1t was some time
before the man was able to assume
self-sontrol.
Is Told of Charge.
In words which came scarcely
above a whisper he inquired what
charge had been placed against him.
When told of the serious nature OF
the offense with which he is ac-'
cuse, the detective bowed his head
in his hands and his body shook
with emotion.
'sThat's pretty bad" he said. Per-
sons present remarked on the pic
ture of abject detection and misery.
Constable Ellis placed his hand on
the detectives shoulder. Come
on, Knudtson, and go with me"
the officer commanded.
'"The newspapers have been max
ing too much of this affair" the
detective commented as he followed
Constable Ellis out Of the door. 81
do not consider that | have done
anything wrong. was compelled
to shoot Coleman. I did my duty
when | fired the shot, and would
do the same thing over again under
the same circumstances"
Bond Fixed at $4,000.
The prisoner was taken to Chief
of Polite Eberstein's Office. where
he remained until the arrival of As
sistant County Attorney Ready, and,
his counsel, Ray ]. Abbott. The de-
tective then was arraigned before
Judge Patrick. q
The amount of the bond was fixed
at $4,000 and the prisoner was plac-
in custody of Constable Ellis, while
for three hours attempts were made
to induce someone to execute the
necessary release papers. Finally,
r. r. Evans, retired business man
and formerly Knudtson's employer,
agreed to assume the responsibility.
Mr.. Evans lives at 303 South Fifty
sixth street, and is listed in the city
directory as president of the Nelson
carp Paint company.
Lieutenant Weeks yesterday
refused to disclose the object of his
investigation of the shooting of
Private Coleman. He declared he
will have finished the task to-
day, when he would makeNa state
ment. II was sent here by the army
authorities to make complete and
exhaustive investigation of the af-
fair" he said. at is my purpose to
take the sworn statements of every
one who saw the shooting. ! shall
make report to my superiors, bat
just what they will deem the proper
action to take against Detective
Knudtson, | am not at liberty to say
However, | will make a statement
for the public today after | have
closed my investigation"
Will Take Statement.
Asked if he had interviewed any
of the members of the police de-
partment in regard to the affair.
Lieutenant Weeks replied that he
had not, but expected to take
knudtson's statement later. In re-
ply to the question if he would re-
quest Police Commissioner Ringer
to supply him with any of the IN
Il {