The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-03-28
Effort Made to Introduce Evil
dence Showing Transaction
Other Than That With
Agriculture Board,
A. D. MORRIS ON STAND
Former Cashier of KentIand
Bank Identifies Writing
as Governors,

Efforts were made by the Sta to-
day. In the trial OF Governor Warren
T. McCray. charged with en.bezzle-
ment and grand larceny, IN criminal
court, to introduce evidence con
Meeting McCray with q transaction in
voiving State funds other than those
Of the Indiana board Of agriculture,
which he is charged with using.
Amos D. Norris former cashier of
the Discount and Deposit State Bank
OF Kentland, Of which McCray was
president, testified the bank was
State depository. He identified pass
book issued by the bank to the treas
ureF Of the State.
The State attempted to place IN evi-
dence an item in the book, dated Feb.
I3, 1923. which Morris said was in
McCray's handwriting. The defense
objected TO the introduction OF this
evidence, on the ground It had no
bearing on the case being tried.
Purpose to Show Intent
"The purpose Of this evidence goes
to the intent Of the defendant" CIer-
sncs W. Nichols. special prosecutor.
said.
I'VE expect to show similar trans
action to offenses charged in the IN
dictment."
Morris testified he and McCray held
4 conversation concerning. the entry
of tha.Feb. 13 item on the books. The
State vas endeavoring to have this
conversation admitted as evidence.
Special Judge Harry o. Chamber
lin instructed attorneys for the State
to tell him privately the substances OF
the conversation, SO that he could
rule as to whether It was admissible.
I. Newt Brown Of Franklin, former
secretary-treasurer Of the board OF
agriculture, was expected to take the
stand this afternoon. Brown dealt d.
rectly with the Governor in the trans
fer Of the $3.50 which the Governor
Is charged with embezzling.
Inman TO Take Lead
It was announced that Eph Inman.
special assistant prosecutor. would
conduct the examination OF Brown
for the State. Nichols has examined
witnesses heretofore.
Morris told Of various telephone
conversations with McCray in which
he had told McCray that the bank
needed money to cover checks OF the
Governor which were held as cash
items because the Governors acccont
was not sufficiently large TO take care
Of them.
Morris identified Endorsements on
checks OF the Indiana board of ag
riculture payable to the bank, as be-
ing in the handwriting Of Governor
McCray. The checks totaled s155. 900.
the amount McCray Is charged with
embezzIing from the board.
Morris Under Indictment
Morris recently pleaded guilty in
Federal Court to q charge Of con-
splracy to use the mails to defraud.
He was indicted Jointly with Governor
MoCray who pleaded not guilty.
On the stand. Morris examined in
dorsements on a board OF agriculture
check for 5000. dated June 27, 1923.
payable to the Discount ami Deposit
Bank and indOrsed by McCray person
ally. He said he had not put a rub
Der stamp Endorsement Of the name Of
the bank on the check.
He said rubber stamp used to
make the Endorsement was similar,
but not exactly like. the ons he had
at the bank.
Morris testified as to the methods
Of handling deposits made by Gov
ernor McCray. He said that the de-
posit OF $685. 900 of June 2s. 1928. which
was for the amount Of the State board
OF agriculture check OF June q, was
fCoDfinued on PAGE 81