The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-10-20


John L. Taye, who was disqualified
as not a property owner. Clinton
Thompson was then summoned to
fill the vacancy, and on and on the
process dragged.
HUmor Relieves
Monotony of the morning session
was relieved by humorous remarks
of some of the talesmen.
Eph Inman, chief defense counsel,
asked c.. II. johnson. a farmer, if he
had any relatives in indianapolis.
Eyes, a man who works at Crown
Hill cemetery"
What relation is he to you?"
"IIe married my stepmother's sis
ter" said Johnson.
That's no relation, Your
Honor" objected Kane, rising to
his feet, and for the first time since
the trial started a week ago Mon
day, Inman agreed with him.
Inman also asked Johnson If he
knew Asa ]. Smith, indianapolis
attorney. Johnson said he did not,
Smith was the lawyer who prepared
the dying declaration. on which the
State will expect to convictStephen-
son and his aids. Johnson said he
had no acquaintance with Will
Adams, former Supreme Court re-
porter, or Newman T. Miller, former
State fire marshal, whose name In
man uses occasionally to .enliven
the proceedings as possible suspect
Of seeing members of the venire
about the case"
Then there was George Snead,
farmer.
Inman asked him if he had an
opinion as to thee guilt or innocence
Of the accused.
my opinion is that grand jury
before it can return an indict-
ment must have some suspicion of
guilt" Snead said.
You would expect and require
the defendant to prove themselves
innocent?" asked Inman.
Exactly that"
Judge Takes Hand
Judge Will NJ. Sparks interrupted.
Now, Mr.. Snead, if the grand
jury went to indict you for stealing
corn-not saying you have or would
that indictment would be no evil
dence that you actually did steal the
corn"
mo. Judge, but you can't tell
what I might do"
'Mr. Snead, the court would pre-
sumo you innocent and you would
not have to take the stand in your
own defense. Would you still feel
biased?''
well, feel a suspicion, Judge,
to be honest with YOU"
Loud laughter in the courtroom.
Still trying to aid Snead, the Judge
was interrupted again by the farmer
who interjected: 81 haven't passed
sentence yet, Judge"
well could you enter this case
with an unbiased mind?"
He Gould"
Yes. 1 covld." Snead replied, with
strained emphasis on the could"
But, would your"
II always do what l say will"
But, l don't know you. l never
met YOU" the judge answered, still
laughing.
Then William Richwine, a school
hack driver.
He was a talesmsn after Inman's
own heart. He confessed if the de-
PENDANTS We're found guilty he'd be
reluctant to impose any sort of a
penalty.
IF was on this jury, and these
fellers was guilt, couldn't sentence
them. 1 wouldn't sentence them"
said Richwine.
You mean you are opposed TO
capital punishment" asked Inman.
Opposed to Death
Eyes, that's it. II couldn't sen.
tence them to death"
"Well, We'll let the prosecution
wrestle with those problems, said
Inman, soothingly.
"Wer. l don't think it right in the
first place for a man to be murdered,
and I couldn't sentence a man to
be murdered" returned the hack
driver.
Judge Sparks took a hand. Il
believe the juror is laboring under
a misunderstanding of the penalty
for first degree murder"
'I'n set him right, Your Honor"
said Inman.. "Now Mr.. Richwine,
IL the defendants are found guilty,
ii is i'm the discretion of the juror
whether you will give them a