The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1921-12-15
Court Shows Disposition to Let the Two De-
PENDANTS Have Merry Christmas
if Not Care-free.
FRANK MARTIN ON TRIAL TODAY
giager Case Passed By Because of Central Park Fire.
and Frank Martin First on List Ready
for Trial This Morning

The cases of the state against Peter
Usher, Jr., former district attorney,
nd against Owen O'Hare, former
hief of police, both of whom were
orced to resign their positions as a
esult of grand jury investigation,
gere adjourned to January 8, when
ircuit court opened this morning.
he adjournment in the Fisher case
vas made at the request of District
lttorney label, who will represent the
tate in the prosecution, following his
ppointment by Attorney General Nor
an; and in the O'Hare case the adj
ournment was made at the request Of
,ttorney Calvin Stewart, who an
ounced that he was not ready. The
djournment met with the favor of
Judge Bclden, who said that he pre-
erred that both cases be heard later.
"My personal disposition in these
ases," said Judge Belden, "is not to
ry to present them during the Christ
las season. If it is satisfactory to
II concerned we will set both cases
own for trial at later date. I will
Expecting that he will be advised by
he state which of the indictments
will be taken first, and the order of
he others"
Both Defendants Present.
No trials were heard this morning.
The trial of Frank Martin on the
charge of bribery, was the first ready
,oday and was called this afternoon
at one-thirty.
Minor matters occupied the atten-
on of the court unSil ten-thirty
o'clock this morning, when Judge
Belden announced the case of the state
VS.. Peter Fisher, Jr.
''Is there anybody appearing for
him 2" asked Judge Belden, as silence
fell and no one came forward. Pres
emily Attorney r. V. Baker was sum
moned from the other room, and an
nounced that he would appear for the
former district attorney.
~ am appearing for Mr.. Fisher as a
friend this morning" said Baker, and
called the defendant forward. Peter
Fishers slender figure and inaliena-
bly, gentle person presented itself be-
fore the court. One of the lawyers,
who had for many years been asso-
ciated with the former district attor-
ney, and who sat as a spectator, WINGED
yisibly at the sight.
"By George, / feel sorry for him!"
he murmured. 81 feel af if l were in
his shoes. You would search far and
wide and not find quicker wit or
kindlier disposition"
Indictments in Bunches.
The indictments were read by num-
Der and amounted to six, varying in
counts, one indictment being on eight
counts, another on four, another on one
count. The charges named bribery,
nalfeasance in Office as district at
torney, embezzlement and obtaining
money under false pretenses. The, in
dictments were given by number, and
Lot read off, as Attorney Baker said
that the defendant was familiar with
he nature of the charges AS the num-
bers were read the defense waived the
reading of the indictments and entered
A plea of not guilty to each. The ar
raignment had already taken place, but
in some cases the numbers had been
altered or the wording changed, so
that for purposes of the court the
arraignment was repeated.
The second case called was that Of
he state against Owen O'Hare. Dis
srict Attorney Frank Symmonds an
~ounced that the state was ready in
this case, but Calvin Stewart, attor-
ney for the defense, stated that he
was not After q conference with the,
attorneys, Judge Belden announced
that both the O'Hare and the Fisher
cases would be held over until after
the holidays.
O'Hare Pleads Not Guilty.
The fact that the defense was not
ready is said to be due to the fact
that the former chief of police has not
sought out his attorneys and assisted
in preparing his case. He is considered
as one of the most singular of defen-
dants in this respect, a popularity
which is said to be also characteristic
cf the former district attorney Most
of the defendants under indictment, as
one of the attorneys expressed it,
have been running their legs off" and
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