The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1924-02-07
Ire Shown
by Griffin
First Time
Brunson, Star State Witness
in McArdle Staying, Tes-
titles of Fight Over
Alcohol.


Tell me where the alcohol is or YOU
won't return home alive
As these words were uttered by Leo
Brunson, one Of the states STAR
witnesses in the case Of James Griffin
on trial for his lie In District Judge
Fitzgerald's court room, yesterday,
Griffin's eyes blazed with savage fire.
Griffin, who during the first two
DAYS OF the trial had maintained an
attitude of joviality. although charged
with first degree murder in connec-
ton with the death and burning OF
the BODY Of Henry McArdle, lost his
smile and dropped his head during
part Of the time that Brunson testi-
fled.
Brunson was relating to a jury. I'm
paneled after two days vigorous ex-
animation, his version OF what Coun-
ty Attorney Beal described as one of
the most brutal murders ever com
mitted in this country.
Deputies Maintain Order.
The case mas attracted one Of the
largest crowds that ever attended a
criminal case in this judicial district.
Additional deputy sheriffs. directly un-
der Sheriff Mike Endres, were pres
ent TO maintain order and TO see that
the crowd did not block the doorvzys
or aisles.
Beal. who questioned Brunson for
the state. announced at yesterday
hat with but a few more queries this
morning he would he ready to have
him cross-examined by the defense's
attorneys.
My name is Leo Brunson ard |
am IS years old" said the witness in
answer TO a question put by BeaI Il
knew Griffin for about a year. and
Velter and Banker, Griffin's asso-
olates. for three months" Brunson
stated that he bought an automobiis
from welter and Banker and there
WAS due about s20e.
On the afternoon Of November u.
was in a cigar store st 1890 Cass
street. said Brunson, when / got q
call from Weiter that he wanted to
see me at the Taylor Battery station,
ii2i North Eighteenth. He wanted
10 talk about the balance on the ma
chine.
Accompanied by McArdle.
=" Hank McArdle was in the cigar
store and l finally persuaded him 10
go along"
Brunson stated that when he drove
TO the designated place. neither 6rif-
fin nor Banker was there.
When l drove up a few feet north
Of the battery station. Welter and
Banker appeared and began to argue
with me about the $500 due them"
Brunson testified. II told them that
| intended TO pay them. But / had
found out mortgage was against the
car. Welter then asked me II would
haul some alcohol for him to Ne
braska City"
Just then. according 10 Brunson.
Griffin and Banker walked up to his
machine and began 10 curse him.
Get into that machine and drive
OF. or I'll kill you" shouted Grimm
at me. as I was about to alight from,
his car" the witness said.
IL was then. Brunson testified. THAI
Griffin fired shot from large -.
volyer that missed its mark.
Tells Of Fight.
Brunson then told OF q fight that
occurred when the three men sought
10 force him into the auto. Rrun-
sons aid he fell into the tonneau OF
his machine after Banker struck Ir,
over the head with a revolver.
AS I was falling into the rns-
chine said Brunscn, saw No
Andle leaning on the edge Of the auto
notivced a pool sf blood in the bot.
tom Of the car and also ssw Griffin
and Banker with revolvers."
Brunson admitted that he had has
several arguments with Griffin. but
denied that his fri4dship was strain
ed because of scnN alcohol ,rsnssc-
tions.
After leaving the scene Of the shoot.
Ing. Griffin was driving the machine.
with Welter and Banker in the rear
seat. stated Brunson. Rrunson sais
he heard Griffin ask his associates fo~
sack on which TO wire his hands,
according TO Rrunson. weiser said.
Look. isn't he n fne prNen