South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-02-20

g y. Shields, deputy prosecuting
attorney at the time Bakers confes-
slons were made, was examined re-
sarding conversations between la
porte officials and Baker at the Paul
and Cook groceries. These converse
lions were not included in Bakers
confessions. Here there was anOth-
e. apparent attempt upon the part
Of the defense 20 show that coer-
cIon was used IN obtaining the con-
LESSONS.
Atty. Shields identified Bakers
confessions. telling Of the converse
tons leading up 10 them, and testify
ing that Baker was warned that
they would be used against him.
Court Room Crowded.
The court room throughout Tues
day S session Of court was crowded
with spectators. At times there
we're not sufficient seats 10 accom-
nodate those VINO really had bust
ness there Even the inside of the
bar was invaded by aged persons
who apparently enjoyed the tesu-
mouy between dozes. one gray haired
patriarch appeared 10 have difficult
Is in keeping awake more than half
the time. They came early in the
morning and settled themselves as
az 10 stay all day, and il was only
when the noon recess was taken did
they move. They were back again
la their places at the opening OF the
afternoon session and they remained
t.cre until the afternoon adjourn
ment.
Mrs. Walter Taker. wife OF the de-
PENDANT. is barred from the court
room Under the exclusion Of wit
ncsses ruling. However, she may
be seen frequently looking through
Inc glass doors from the corridors
in front OF the entrance. Sometimes
during a recess she meets her hus-
band in the corridor and pats him
encOuragingly on the shoulder.
Many Women.
There were many women in the
court room Thursday. There nave
been many women since the trial be.
gan. students from Notre Dame un-
iversity's law department are inter-
ested watchers OF the lawyers in
the case.
The admission OF Bakers confess
sio1s Thursday morning provided
keen interest during the session. Al
most unbelievable in their chronicle
OF crime. they were read to the jury
Bakers confessions, which not
only 80 into detail regarding the
Cook murder. but recite other
crimes confessed TO by the man on
trial for his life. were read to the
y Smith, after the objection OF
Atty. Craig Hood. counsel for Baker.
had been Overruled by Judge Arthur
L. Hubbard.
Mrs Leona Cook. wife Of the muir
dered man, sat apparently unmoved
near the attorneys for the state
during the recital or the details re-
garding the murder Of her husband.
Are Morbid MorseI.
During the reading Baker. the de-
PENDANT, sat near his attorney,
leaning forward with elbows rest
ing on the attorneys table. his chin
held in his hands.
The confessions provided a NOR
bid morsel for the large crowd OF
spectators filling the court room.
The jurymen paid the closest atten-
ton as Atty. Smith read how Baker,
by his own confession, had commit
ted several robberies at Indiana
Harbor after ne had met Ernest
Carrepy and Steve Bartek. the two
other men 10 be tired later for the
death Of the Laporte grocer. The
influence OF the other two men over
Baker seemed TO be almost COM
plete. He even bought revolvers
for use by the three men in COM
hitting robberies at Indiana Har-
Dor. He had even attempted 10 as
sist Garrepy in getting a suitcase
out OF a hotel there so he might
avoid paying his hotel bill.
The confession also told how Bak-
er had shot a man in Montana be-
cause he had thrown a piece Of pie
in his face and further annoying
him. It also told how the youthful
defendant had been implicated in
an attempted bank robbery at Lock
port. Ill. and had been placed on
parole by the authorities at Joliet.
III
Under Others influence.
Bakers confessions show that nc
was peculiarly under the influence
Of Garrepy and Bartek in planning
the Laporte robbery which resulted
in a tragedy.
There was no plan 20 commit
murder. Garrepy and Bartek
planned a robbery and Cooks death
resulted. Garrepy took precau-
lions not 10 expose himself He was
the lockout while Bartek and Baker
were 10 do the actual work. Care
by had learned that there was a
grocer at Laporte who had $500
IN Liberty bonds.
After reaching Laporte Il was
arranged that another grocery was
20 be robbed first, and then Cooks
sore was 20 be entered. the proprie-
tor overpowered and the mor-y
found 20 be taken The first grocery
was closed before they reached 10
and Cooks grocery was left for the
attack
Wanted To Do shooting.
Baker had insisted that X there
was 70 be any shooting he was TO