Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-02-10
STATE
AS MYERS CASE
GOES TO JURY
Defense Counsel Valves Argu-
ment, Preventing Last
Word by Evans.
LAWYERS PRAISE MOVE

Prosecutor William P Evans was
prevented from making a closing
plea to the jury in the case of Mrs.
linda Myers, charged with the murder
of her husband, Frederick A. Myers,
when counsel for the defense waived
the right to make closing argument
and the case went to the jury about
2:30 o'clock this afternoon.
Judge James A. Collins began in
structing the jury at o'clock and the
fate Of Mrs Myers passed into the
hands of the jury about thirty min
utes later.
Attorney Arthur r. Robinson, chief
: counsel for Mrs. Myers, threw a bomb
shell into the ranks of the State shortly
before noon when it came time for the
defense to begin the closing arguments
IN Mrs. Myers behalf.
Deputy Prosecutor Sidney Miller had
Just completed a short argument to the
jury, in which he outlined the law, and
spoke briefly of the evidence.
| When Mr.. Miller stopped, Attorney
Robinson said:
The defense valves its right to make
arguments. The defense rests"
PREVENT STATE
HAVING LAST WORD.
In this way Robinson blocked legally
the making of a closing argument by
Prosecutor William P Evans. By sacri-
/ ficing their right to appeal to the jury
in the closing hours of the trial, the de-
fense kept the State from having the last
word
! Well known attorneys are of the opin-
ion that Attorney Robinson did a wise
| thing in terminating the argument, SIS
/ the testimony of Mrs. Myers and the calm
manner in which she withstood attempts
of the State to break down her testimony
on cross-ex examination, were considered
stronger than any argument counsel could
present in her behalf.
/ STORY REMAINS
| UNSHAKEN.
Prosecutor Evans attempted in the
morning to break down the evidence
| given by Mrs. Myers. She remained calm
/ through the ordeal and refused to be
| shaken in her original story of self-de-
1 fense.
do you still love Frederick A Myers?"
she was asked.
! There was no answer.
DO you still love his memory?"
! oHe paused ana Inen Sald, calmly,
yes"
At no time while Mrs. Myers was on
the witness stand did she appear to ex-
cite sympathy. The big crowd In the
courtroom seemed even to lose some Of
its warmth of feeling for her.
Attaches who have been in the court
for years claim there has never been a
witness more calm than Mrs. Myers.
The defense rested after Mrs. Myers
was dismissed from the stand.
The State then introduced DR.. Paul f.
| Robinson, coroner, and some of his as
| sistants to attempt to show that q man
| who was shot in the heart, as Myers was,
| could not have moved after he was shot,
as Mrs. Myers claimed in her testimony
DENIES FINDING
APPLE FEELINGS.
| sergt Lewis johnson was placed again
on the stand and testified that he closely
examined the barrel at the east side of
| Myers desk shortly after the tragedy,
He stated that he found no apple peel
ings, although he claimed he made a
careful search.
| The closing witness for the State was
Israel Myers, aged father of Mr.. Myers,
who testified that linda Myers never COM
/ planned to him at any time of any actions
on the part Of his son.
The opinion OF spectators is greatly
divided on the outcome of the case and
the time the jury will deliberate
When court adjourned at noon many
men and women vacated the courtroom
only to take their places in a long line
Of spectators waiting to get into court
for the final session of the case.
After revealing the secrets of her mar
lied life and giving a recital Of the
brute" demands of her husband, Mrs.
I WAR h
cross-examination calmly.
Mrs. Myers again took the witness
stand this morning after giving a calm
recital of the fatal shooting of her hus-
band. Mrs. Myers went on the witness
stand at a night session of court ana
remained on the stand for an hour and
a half.
The session was ordered Unexpectedly
by Judge James A Collins in an effort
to conclude the case if possible so the
court can keep banquet engagement at
Michigan City this evening.
The jury at times clearly indicated
the strain of the long hours in the jury
box. Several jurors often yawned.
When called to the stand, as the only
| living witness to the tragedy in her hus-
bands Photographic studio on the eve
ming of Dec last, Mrs. Myers quilted
her cahir beside her counsel and walked
rapidly to her place.
GIVES REPLIES
READILY.
Her voice was rather husky On one
occasion she attempted to answer a
question Of oher attorney even before the
question was completely stated. Prose
cutOr William P. Evans said to her:
Madame, you do not know what the
question is"
Mrs Myers recital could be divided
into three parts-the first year, the de-
velopment of the fear of her husband
and the final effective move on her part
to defend her own life.
At no time during her long recital did
Mrs. Myers show the least sign of emo
ton. she gave a vivid recital of events
which she said destroyed her happiness
and of her battle against fear to care
Continued on Page TwO.)