The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1922-12-14

After most dramatic hearing before
the coroner's jury, Fred G. Hansche,
The Kenoshan who escaped serious in
jury when the automobile in which he
was riding with John Larsen crashed
into a telephone pole, resulting in the
latter's death, was .exonerated from
any blame for the death in the verdict
brought in by the coroner's jury. The
verdict declared that "John Larsen,
came to his death on December 9TH
1922, from a fracture of the skull sus-
tanned when the automobile in which.
he was riding with Fred G. Hansche
collided with telephone or light pole
at the corner of Grandview and Salem
avenues at the west limits of the city
of Kenosha"
The jury added to their verdict the
following significant statement; "We
do not find any criminal responsibility
for the said death ON the part of said
Hansche."
District. Attorney Frank S. Sym
monds and Coroner Truman. T. Parker
declared that the verdict Of the jury,
left no basis for any charge to be
placed against the man, and he was
told that there would be no further
elegal action in the case.
Witnesses Tell Versions
The inquest had been called because
of the fact that many who witnessed
the accident maintained that Hansche
must have been the driver of the car
while Hansche insisted that Larsen had
been at the wheel prior to the accident.
Police Officers Long and Buchanan tes-
tilted showing how they had found Lar
sen, badly injured, sitting bowed over
in the passengers seat, and had been
bold that Hansche climbed out Of the
drivers seat.
Charles Ferguson, asa South Sheri-
dan road, driver Of car which the
death car had just passed, told the
jury how he had arrived just in time
TO see Hansche leave the car on the
left side, with Larsen, dying or dead,
on the right hande side of the seat.
More damaging was the testimony Of
William Funk, 451 Alleman avenue,
who testified that he saw the accident
from where he was playing cards in
the tavern at the corner He told how
he had seen the car speed by, heard the
crash and rushed to the scene of the
accident in time to find both men in
the car, Larsen, according to the wit
ness, was on the right hand side, bleed
ing and bowed over.
"Where was Hansche?" came the
question.
"Hewas sitting behind the wheel"
Were his hands on the wheel?"
81 couldn't say as to that"
"Was he in the position Of driver ~
"fes."
A short recess was called at this
time before placin. Hansche on the
stand
Hansche Willing to Testify
When Hansche was later called to
the stand he was advised by District
Attorney Symmonds, who conducted
the questioning, that he could avail
himself Of the privilege Of not testify
ing and that his testimony might be
used against him.
81 am willing to give testimony re-
garding anything that happened from
the time we left Kenosha until the
present" came back the answer. "John
Larsen was my best friend; why would
| do anything else? | will tell nothing
but the truth"
do you realize that have given
YOU the opportunity not to testify If
you so desire?" asked the district at
torney.
81 do, and thank you, but l want to
tell my account of the accident"
Hansche then, in answer to ques-
tions, told how he and Larsen had gone
70 Twin Lakes, stopping at tavern in
New Munster, where they split bottle
of 'near beerS'
Sticks to His Story
In a straightforward way Hansche
went into every detail Of the death trip
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