The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-11-21
States CASE
OUTLINED TO
REMUS JURY
Limit of Two Hours Is Put
on Opening Statements
by Judge.
8 ALIENISTS ON BENCH
Ex-BootIeg King Loses His
Fight to Force Taft
on Stand.
BY PAUL w. WHITE
United Press staff Correspondent


COURT ROOM, CINCINNATI,
NOV. 21.-The States case against
George Remus, the former bootleg
multimillionaire, who less than
two months ago, shot and killed his
wife, Imogene, today was placed be-
fore the jury that will try him on a
charge of first degree murder.
Walter K. Sibbald, tall and
scholarly assistant prosecutor, was
assigned the opening statement. In
a deep, grave voice he outlined the
evidence that will be introduced in
ar attempt to prove that the crime
was premeditated and that it was
committed while RemuS was sane.
Limit on Statements
Judge Chester r. Shook ruled that
the statements of either side should
not exceed two hours.
Sibbald first read the indictments
handed up by the Hamilton County
grand jury.
The Jurors listened intently,
despite the uninspired text of the
indictments.
"rThe charge is murder in the first
degree" Sibbald then said.
I'VE shall prove beyond a reason
able doubt that the defendant is
guilty of that charge"
When Sibbald called the crime a
murder" Elston objected but he
was overruled.
Object to Use of Murder
On ~Oct. 5, Sibbald said, Mrs.
Remus and her daughter, Ruth
(born to an earlier marriage), were
living in a downtown hotel. And
Mrs. Remus was preparing to go into
court on the morrow in a divorce
hearing.
"We will show you," the prosecu-
ton went on, "that on the same
evening George Remus was in an
other hotel with three of his asSoci-
ates, George Conners, George Klug
and Miss Blanche Watson.
"Klug, incidentally, was the chauf-
feur who drove Remus to the muir
der scene the next day."
A new argument developed over
use of the word murder" and Judge
Shook explained that the State
merely was attempting to prove the
killing was murder.
Original Plan Delayed
Sibbald said it was Remus' origi-
nal plan to commit the crime on the
night of Oct. and met and talked
with his friends for the purpose.
But Remus went to his home that
night and stayed there until morn
ing, the assistant prosecutor con-
tinued.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Remus invited
friends to spend the night at her
hotel" Sibbald said.
"Her divorce case was scheduled
to begin the morning of Oct. g..
She was ready with her witnesses.
George Remus was not ready
for the divorce hearing and did not
have his witnesses on hand"
Sibbald then dwelt on how
Remus and Klug waited in ambush
near the Alrner Hotel, where Mrs.
Remus was stopping.
This defendant-thiS killer-had
made no attempt to communicate
with his wife," the lanky, bespec-
tacled accuSer of Refnus went on.
Remus HOarse With Cold
Remus, hoarse from a cold, sat
sucking lemon. He arose at this
time to make technical objection
and his voice quavered and cracked
THAT is an erroneous state
fnent," he continued, but Judge
Shook who had exhibited little pa
tience toward the stubby defendant
during the morning, waved aside
the objection and Remus retired
after wounded glance to the jury
Sibbald told how Klug had driven
the car in which were Remus and
the chauffeur in front of the taxi
cab in which were Mrs. Remus and
her daughter.
Calmly and deliberately" Sibbald
said. "Remus got out of his ma
chine and walked toward his wife
He started to draw his gun from his
pocket even as he left his own car.
Sibbald had reached the point OF
the actual killing when luncheon
was taken.
Wants Taft to Testify
Shortly after court opened Remus
directed another legal move against
Prosecutor Taft, whom the defen-
dant in a murder case threatened
with physical violence last week.
Remus asked that Taft be called
to the witness stand to testify con-
cerning State subpoenas served in
Kentucky since the former bootleg
ger went on trial, charged with the
mureder of his wife, Imogene.
Remus was tryin gto renew. his
!. attempt to subpoena James j. Da-
Wis, Secretary of Labor, for testi-
mony at the trial.
The judge overruled the motion
II have cold" he explained.
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