The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-03-12
GOVERNORS TRIAL
IN COUNTY COURT
BEGINS MONDAY
Case to Open After Six
Months of Activity Con-
corning McCray Affairs,

Final arrangements for the trial Of
Governor Warren T. McCray on
charges of embezzlement and larceny,
which opens in Criminal Court Mon
day, are being made.
The Governor will go on trial after
more than six monthssof investigation
and activity concerning his affairs. He
will be the first Governor Of the State
ever to defend himself against Grim
inal charges while in the Governors
office.
The trial will be held before Judge
Harry o. Chamberlin of the Circuit
Court, who has consented to act as
special judge in Criminal Court in
place OF Judge James A. Collins. A
special venire of 200 has been drawn
for the jury. One hundred will re-
port Monday and the remaining 100
will report Wednesday.
Trial May Last Three Weeks
Attorneys estimate the trial will last
three weeks. This would bring about
its conclusion just two weeks before
the Governor is scheduled to go on
trial in Federal Court on charges Of
using the mails in a scheme to de-
fraud April q has been set as the
Federal Court trial date.
Although a total of fifteen indict-
ments was returned against the Gov
ernor, the State has elected to try
~ It'd fS.tV ,fss
charging embezzlement and larceny
growing out Of his transactions with
the State board Of agriculture.
At various times the Governor OBJ
tanned a total of. S155.000 from the
board He contends it was a loan.
The State contends the money was
intended for the Discount and Deposit
State Bank of Kentland, of which Nc
Cray then was president, and that
Brown May Testify
I. Newt Brown of Franklin. former
secretary OF the board, is expected to
be the principal witness for the State.
He testified In the McCray bankruptcy
hearing in Federal Court that he dealt
directly with McCray in the transac.
tons Other members Of the board
are also expected to be called
Other indictments. which still are
charges against M,-Tray. but which
will not be used. at least at this time.
charge forgery, false pretenses and
issuing fraudulent financial state.
ments.
The trial is expected to he n legal
battle Of the ages" The State Will
be represented by Eph Inman and
Clarence w. Nichols. McCray will be
represented by James w. Noel, John
G. Ruckelshaus, Michael A Ryan,
Martin Hugg and George Barnard.
Selection Of a jury will come first.
| This probably will consume consid.
cradle time. as each prospective iu.
ror is expected to be asked whether
he has read of the cast and whether
he has formed an opinion. The wide
publicity given McCray's affairs makes
it unlikely that many can be found
who are not acquainted with the
case.
Prospect If Guilty
II Governor MoCray should be
| found guilty. either in Criminal Court
or in the Federal Court, It is consid.
cred certain immediate steps will be
taken 10 bring about his removal from
Office or his resignation. Following
HIS indictment members of the Repub-
lican State committee and Of the
Legislature met to consider the case.
At that time there were conflicting
opinions as to whether the Legisla.
ture could be called for impeachment
purposes without being called by the
Governor. It is said the majority
opinion is that the Assembly could so
convene. One report has it that II
McCray is found guilty and refuses to
resign, the Legislature would convene
within three days.
The law makes it impossible for a
man convicted of a felony to hold pub
lie office but the conviction does not
become effective until appeal to
l.