The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-11-13

lieve that any unWarranted feeling
that may sweep the spirit of those
who wage this prosecution, now will
pass, and allow their hearts to open
again and their reason in the end
to resume it sway.
Maybe, someone feels that I say
these things, because l am engaged
in the defense of these men. 1t is
true l am so engaged. But after a
law service in the great profession
Of the law-and 1 pray, an honorable
one-my heart gives utterance to
this: That l have not in all my pro-
fessional life defended one for MUIR
der where | felt in my soul there
was. as complete absence of justifica-
ton for such a charge as there is in
this case.
Blesses Jury
Gentlemen. 1 have done. I give
this great issue-the safety of my
clients to you. By the law of rea-
son, courage, right, feel that your
conscience will not allow any harm
to come to these men. They have
already suffered much. Too much,
far too much. / am grateful TO
heaven in the confidence they are
now approaching-the end Of it all.
II thank each one of you for
your patience-your infinite patience,
and may there fall upon you the
blessings Of the Almighty God OF
us ALL"
Christians plea was made in the
face of persistent kissing among
spectators in the courtroom. Fight
ing dramatically against these odds,
Christian, before he had spoken five
minutes, was in commando of the
situation and the ear of every in
dividual in the packed room.
"There has been a steadied at
tempt by the State of Indiana, the
men, who ought to get under the
law like Atlas and hold il up, to
try to disparage the presumption
of innocence.
"These men," Christian cried out,
pointing to the prosecutors table
who have allowed their anxiety, their
lust of money to get the better of
their hearts. If there's anything
more sacred than our liberty. what
can it be. Why, gentlemen. every
war we've fought has been fought
on that principal.
"Are we going to tear them
down because Charles K. Cox
comes here with his pocket full of
money, his mouth full of blood and
his hands full of mud? 1 don't
believe you can beat logic by throw
ing mud, by calling a man a go
rilla, a sexual pervert, an iron
man.
Il could call Cox a weazel, just
as well as he could call my client a
gorilla, and it would fit him just as
we'll"
Kissing Starts
In one corner Of the courtroom
concerted kissing followed Chris
tian's last remark. Then a laugh OF
derision, and Judge Sparks raped
sharply with his gavel.
"Why aren't they down in In
dianapOlis enforcing the laws down
there. There wouldn't be so much
nOtoriety down there. guess
they're afraid tO-sOme politician
down there might jump on their
backs
Passing, for the time his de-
nunciation of the forces which he
declared were "out to get Stephen
son." Christian declared:
''Now let's leave this TRADE of ora
tory and get down to this law suit.
Let's find out whether Madge ODER
hotter was murdered or committed
suicide"
Christian read various legal opin'
ions on the Indiana law regarding
the amount of evidence necessary to
overcome reasonable doubt, the the
ory on which Stephenson's defense
definitely is being based.
Sympathy for Parents
81 have the deepest and the great
est sympathy for her and her
parents, but gentlemen, are we go
ing to try this case on sympathy
and sentiment, or are we going to
try it on evidence and fact?
1.-THE first question Is Was she
murdered?' This is not the story of
Madge Oberholtzer, but of that little
fellow with his finger pushed up to
| bis nose" Christian cried out as he
pointed to Asa Smith. 1.-THE dying
| declaration, Smith and the vulture,
Dean. hashed up" Christian declared
as he shook the document in his
| hand
"This old man, who looks like
vulture, and his gosling, Asa
Smith, they didn't take the girls
good father and mother into the
room when the statement was
signed. Why? They wanted
money, the root of all evil. They
wanted to shake Stephenson down.
1t was you, Asa Smith, who had
her throw that bottle out of the
bathroom window and there was
no window. You imagined it, Asa,
you and your cO-egg, Dean.
"Why didn't her father and mother
go after her? She says she was
forced to drink. l doubt it. The evil
dence shows she had been drinking
from time to time. She went up to
| the busiest street in Indianapolis.
| Did she cry out? You mean she was
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