Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-04-24
NEGRO INDICTED
IN RECORD TIME
Slayer of Martha Huff to Be
Tried Next Tuesday.

William Ray. negro. confessed SLAYER
n Martha HUI. i4-year-old girl today
was indicted In record time hy the Mar
ioE county grand jury.
The jury convened In special session
az 9;45 o'clock and NJ II :l5 had com
rleted its Investigation.
The indictment. which is for first de-
gree murder contains Ave counts. re-
viewing IN detail the actions Of Ray aft
er 8 o'clock Monday afternoon. when the
HnT girl was ured away, snd leading
up 10 the dndine Of the chiid's body
stripped OF clothing IN Big agile creek
late the following day.
APPOINTS TUESDAY
MORNING FOR TRIAL.
AS soon as the jury had instructed
Judge James A. Collins Of criminal
court that It had found an indictment,
the court set next Tuesday morning as
the date Tor the trial
The jury commissioners were in the
clerks Office and $50 names were drawn
for special venlre.
Judge Collins gave Instructions thet the
sheriff begin Immediately serving the
prospective veuiremen.
SO speedily did the court conclude its
arrangements for the trial that It was
only a few minutes before the jury was
dismissed and provisions made for pauper
counsel for the defendant.
In view Of the fact that Ray has no
funds Judge Collins appointed Frank
symnes. attorney for the poor, to act in
his behalf.
the negro will make when he appears IN
court.
In city court he admitted the crime.
JUDGE WILL ORDER
JURY DRAWN.
Should he plead guilty in criminal
court Judge Collins will have jury
drawn for the purpose Of pronouncing
sentence.
In a first degree murder charge the
court does not have the authority to
pass sentence
Before the court set the date for the
trial Claris Adams, county prosecutor,
told of the gravity Of the crime and
urged that justice be fastened
Nora Smock. stepsister of the slain
Hun GIRL Mrs. Sara Smock, mother:
MIR. and Mrs. Joseph Whitaker, Salem
Park. who heard screams In the vicinity
of the creek where the child was mur-
dered; Alvin Alexander, boy, who saw
the negro with the girl near the creek /:
William Johnson, railroad hagmun,
Wuu dlSu saw tAt hcEAo duu GIN Eu-
ward Weakley and Deputy Coroner
George r. Christian were the only wiz.
nesses examined aside from the detcc-
tives.
Inspector of Detectives Manning. De
tectives Sneed Trabue. Dugan and O.
Simon were the police officers ques-
toned
The jury was given a copy of the
supposed confession made by Ray after
he was arrested when 1t went into ses-
sion.
A vacancy In the jury caused by the
dismissal of one man several days ago
because Of Illness was filled by Charles
A. Dodd, a paper hanger and painter,
1901 Olive street
He was excused as soon as the indict-
ment was returned on his plea of busi-
ness pressure.
Provisions are being made for heavy
guard around the courtroom when the
trial opens.
DOWNTOWN CROWD
OF "sIGHTsEERs."
While hundreds Of persons gathered
in the vicinity of the jail district last
night there was little disorder.
The crowds, in the main, were sight
seers" and few threats of violence
against Ray were heard.
Utmost vigilance was kept by the
police throughout the night
reserve force Of approximately 200
patrolmen was on hand at headquarters
early, prepared to put down any dis
turhances.
These men carried riot clubs.
Traffic in the neigborhood of the Jail
was detoured and assemblages were dis
persed as rapidly as the police could
act.
Mounted men helped patrol the down
town district.
One man was arrested charged with
Continued on Page Two.)