The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1923-11-30
ennis ON STAND
CITED HIS DEFENS.
old Story Of the Shooting of
James Martin
RELATES WAR RECORD
Number Of Clashes Occurred Today
Between Opposing counseIs
In the Case.
Especial To The Free Pressl

Especial To The Free Pressl
Blue Earth, Mimi. November Is
The plea of self defense in killing
his stepfather. James Martin, on the
farm Of his mother. on October %.
was revealed here today when Wal
ter Tennis charged with murder,
took the stand in his own defense.
Tennis on the witness stand de-
clared that he shot Martin, with
whom he had bitterly quarreled with
over the rent Of the farm during the
day, because he feared his stepfath-
er would get a loaded gun In the
house and fulfill a threat to BLOW
your brains out"
The defendant admitted on the
stand that he had purchased moon
shine and alcohol at q softdrink
parlor In Wells on the morning of
the tragedy but denied that he was
intoxicated.
War Record Cited.
The war record Of Tennis was
cited during the trial this morning
by the defendants attorneys. He
served on the western front and
spent considerable time in a hos
pital as a result Of loaning his coat
to sick comrade and sleeping in
water.
Warm clashes were held between
the opposing attorneys during the
trial. Twice this morning the jury
twas sent from the court room while
1.-THE attorneys argued over points
admissible to the evidence. The de-
Tense attempted to introduce testi-
lmony to show that Martin had twice
before threatened Tennis with a
gun.
Case Opened For Defense.
Attorney Henry Frundt, opened
the case for the defense with a
light sketch of the life of Martin.
The slain man, he declared came to
this section Of the country seventeen
years ago and fourteen years ago
became employed upon the farm Of
Mrs. Martin, then widow. Shortly
afterward he married her and con-
tinued to live on the farm.
The defense hopes to prove that
Martin had a violent and hlasphe-
nous temper, and that all through
the succeeding years he had made
attacks upon Tennis while he lived
on the farm. The defense attorney
declared that Martin had repeatedly
threatened Tennis rm and also
made threats on his life.
L E. TietZ postmaster at Easton,
was the first witness to take the
stand for the defense. He testified
that Tennis's reputation was good
and that he never knew he drank.
A. ]. Pisachick, a merchant OF
Easton. was the second witness to
take the stand. He also swoHe 10
the good reputation and character
Of Tennis and said that he was
not Quarrelsome.
the stand in his own behalf. He
said he was twenty eight years old
and was married and had two
children. He lived, he said, on a
farm owned by his mother. He
stated that he had served in both
army and navy, being discharged
from the latter for ever staying
his leave. He volunteered for the
army but was rejected and told TO
wait for the draft.
He was drafted and sent to q
southern camp. and after q train
ing period was sent overseas to the
front. He declared that he had no
trouble In the army. Once at The
front he said, he loaned his coat TO a
sick comrade and had to sheep IN
the water. When he awoke the only
portion Of his body not submerged
was his head. Due 10 the exposure
he was sent to a hospital for sew
eral weeks and later received an
honorable discharge.
Tells His Story
Attorney II. H. Dunn, OF Albert
asked Tennis If Martin had ever
attacked him before. The prose-
cutting attorney objected and after
warm argument the court sus-
tanned the objection.
Tennis stated that he went 10
Wells, THE morning OF the tragedy
to gst a tractor repaired. While
there he had a talk with q beet
sugar agent regarding the raising
OF sugar beets. He stated he was
not feeling well and visited soft
drink establishment where he pur-
chased a bottle Of near bear. He
stated that be told the proprietor
Of the place that he did not feel
well and was offered some moon
shine which he drank. He also said
he drank some alcohol that morn
ing.
Got Into Argument
The defendant testified that he
left Wells and drove to the Martin
farm. He got into an argument with
Martin and stated that his step
father cursed him and demanded
the rent for the farm on which he
lived. Martin declared that II he
didn't get the money for the rent
he would elbow his brains out"
Tennis testified.
Tennis said, he then left the
farm and went to Easton where he
consulted banker regarding get
ting credit. While in Easton, he
said, he purchased some cartridges
and got his gun and went back to
the Martin farm to see his step
father. He said he had ne inten-
tons Of killing Martin but took tho
gun along for self defense II he was
attacked.
Discussion Of Sugar Bests
He said he had q discussion with
Martin regarding the raising of
sugar beets. Martin. he testified,
cursed him and then struck him