Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-06-24
GUNMAN FREED
AFTER PASTOR
TALKS TO JUDGE
Court Changes Sentence in
Walter Roberts Case and
Puts Him on Probation.

Following a conference between the
Rev. L. p. Jewett, father OF Mayor
Charles W. Jewett, and Judge James A
Collins OF the Marion County Criminal
Court, for moro than twenty minutes be-
fore noon today, Judge Collins took Of
ficial action which wiped out a sentence
OF from ten TO twenty -one years which
had previously been given to Walter
Roberts, % and substituted a reforma-
tory sentence from one to fourteen years
which was promptly suspended pending
good behavior.
The Rev. Jewett and others interested
in Walter Roberts, who testified last Sat
urday that he held the revolver al the
time Frank L. Heflin of Elwood, Ind.
was robbed of about $50 in cash and
ring valued at S15, were in court most
Of the morning
Roberts and his brother, william
Roberts, appeared last Saturday in the
Criminal Court on a charge Of robbery
and grand larceny
At that time, Walter insisted that he
was the one who held the revolver. Other
witnesses had testified that it was Will
liam who was responsible for the rob-
berry.
INFLUENCED IN
HIS TESTIMONY.
In view Of Walters statement. Judge
Collins sentenced the brothers from ten
to twenty-one years. William has been
taken to prison, but Waiter was confined
in Jail here until Judge Collins passed
upon a motion for a new trial
The motion for a new trial set up the
assertion that Walter was melancholy"
and when young sustained a stroke Of
brain fever" and that he did not have
sufficient will power to resist the domi-
mating influences of his brother. For
that reason it was contended in the mo-
tion for a new trial that Walter did not
give free and unrestrained testimony"
when the case was first heard
Following his conference with the Rev.
Jewett. this morning Judge Collins
ordered Walter before him. The court
sustained the motion for a new trial
Then Attorney Reagen entered a plea or
guilty to the second count Of the in
dictment in behalf of Walter. Judge
Collins then pronounced sentence of from
1 to II years at the reformatory and
Immediately suspended sentence pending
good behavior" The Rev. Jewett Is to
supervise the reports which are to be
made for three years concerning the CON
duct Of Walter. Mr.. Hardin agreed to
take Walter back into his employ.
JUDGE SAYS
WITNESS LIED.
Now Walter" said Judge Collins after
suspending the latest sentence in
making up this record 1 recognized last
Saturday you would not tell the facts In
this case as long as your brother was in
court. All the facts which were related
were true with the exception of what
you said. / thought that either a com
mission should be appointed to in
vestigate your sanity or that a motion
should be sustained for new trial. Many
fine people have come to the front for
you in your behalf. You served for
twelve months IN France.
Il do not know why your brother had
such an influence over you. You are q
married man and have one child. If you
do not walk the chalk line you will serve
this sentence" said Judge Collins.
This case is considered one of the
strangest on record, because everything
was in favor Of Walter until he took the
stand and insisted on giving harmful
evidence against himself