Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-02-27
SLAIN MARION
GUNMAN WAS
OUTON PAROLE
Goodrich Freed Man Who Shot
Policeman Before He Him.
self Was Killed.
WAS AN ARCH-CRIMINAL
special TO The Times.

MARION, Ind, Feb. 27.-Grant county
voters have added another bead to the
string Of grievances they are recording
against the James p. Goodrich admins
tration. IThis time 1t is the outcome OF
the shooting to death of Walter (Petel
Fisher, an ex-convict, by Jack Ryan, a
Marion policeman, who was shot in the
shoulder by Fisher in an attempt to
place him under arrest. The shooting
took place Tuesday night.
Fisher was paroled about n year ago
by Gov Goodrich from Michigan City
prison, where he was serving a sentence
on n burglary charge. He was sent to
the prison In May, 1915, following his
arrest and subsequent conviction on
charge of burglary, for a term OF ten
to twenty years. During the course OF
the trial It was proved that Fisher had
participated in or committed sixteen bur
glaries in Marion before he was appre-
hended.
CLEMENCY FIRST,
THEN PAROLE.
Shortly after his conviction and his ar
rival at the Michigan City prison,
petition was circulated asking for elem
ency. After q series Of delays his sen
tence was commuted from burglary TO
grand larcen and the term Of sentence
reduced from l, to twenty years to two
to fourteen years About n year ago he
was paroled by CO. Goodrich, and re
turned to this city, receiving his final
discharge papers Jan, TO-
Upon his return to Marion, Fisher
walked the straight and narrow path for
a short time. then became restless and
returned TO his old tricks.
They're watching me-" he is said to
have declared. "If l keep straight. they
watch me and II I don't keep straight
they watch me. What's the usef"
But regardless Of the statement OF
Fisher that he was being watched, II f.
claimed that police records here show
that no check was being kept on Fishers
activities after his release from prison.
No attention was paid TO him at all until
after a series Of robberies had been com
mitted. Then the police turned 10 the
man who had been given free reign once
more by Jim Goodrich TO practice his
trade" and on him was fixed the blame
FOR a number OF robberles here and In
surrounding towns.
RAP GOODRICH
FOR LENTENCY.
III a little investigation were made
down at indianapolis before these fel-
lows are turned loose from the state
prison, there would be less crime COM
mitted about the state" declared a prom
inent republican here following the
Fisher shooting. Fisher was convicted,
after it was shown beyond a doubt that
he was the man that committed the
crimes he was charged with. He was
seat TO prison to expiate those crimes
against society. then along comes one
man. and turns him loose. enabling him
to come back 20 the community to cause
more trouble
why, Fisher had threatened 20 kin
every officer on the police and sherifrs
force here when he got ont of prison.
1t looks as II they let him out 80 that
he could carry out that threat. tell
you we voters won't forget these little
things"
In addition TO the pardon Of Fisher.
which has caused storm of protest
against Goodrich's pardon record, on the
part Of Grant county citizens, comes the
announcement that shortly after they ar-
rived at the farm 10 serve sentences on
grand larceny charges, Ray Alexander
and Earl Kemp have been pnroled by
Gov Goodrich. Local authorities are be-
ginning to feel that It is useless 20 OBJ
tain a conviction in the courts here.
and to send a man 10 prison, for they
fear that as soon as their prisoners ar
rive at the state institutions that they
will be pardoned and returned to their
homes once more.