The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-11-15
REMUS wins
right TO QUIZ
TRIAL JURORS
State Loses Attempt to Ban
Ex-BootIeg King Acting
as Attorney.
PROSECUTOR is FLAYED
Judge Rules for Slayer In
All Contested Points
Up in Case.
BY PAUL w. WHITE,

Omitted Press stan COrrespondenD
RTROOM, CINCINNATI,
Nov. 15.-Thundering his objections
and pounding the counsel table,
George Remus, acting as attorney
In his trial for the murder Of his
wife, Imogene, today conducted his
own case and won the right to con-
tinue questioning prospective jurors.
Judge Chester r. Shook ruled in
favor Of Remus after State attor-
neys had protested Remus' line Of
questioning, sought to bar further
queries and declared that it was
ridiculous for man whose sole de-
fense is that of insanity to conduct
his own case"
Earlier Remus opened up verbal
attack upon an assistant prosecutor
and won.
Considers Friend InsuIted
Although Remus, hitherto, had
permitted Charles H. ElSton, promi-
nent local attorney, to question jur-
ors, the former king of bootleggers
could restrain himself no longer
when he considered that a friend
had been insulted.
Carl E. Basler, examining for the
State, set off the Remus explosion.
John Trautman, a storekeeper,
living on a farm outside Of Cincin-
natl, had been called rs a talesman.
In his question the assistant pros
ecutor called Connors a lieutenant.
He was not a lieutenant, he was
a secretary" Remus objected.
"They call him a lieutenant,
Basler shot back.
"Conners is as good as Basler ever
ws.s," Remus told the court.
Thunders Objections
The remark was stricken from the
record and BaSler was advised TO
refer to Conners as a secretary.
Basler then asked Trautman If the
latter knew "this man Conners who
served time with Remus."
"I object to that phrase this man
Conners,'" Remus shouted.
There is no use of the State using
such tactics to prejudice the jury.
Every man and woman on 1t should
hear only the facts to decide upon
the guilt or innocence Of this de-
fendant."
Remus' face was d. His voice
thundered over the small courtroom
and he pounded the counsel table as
he made his objection.
The court heard him out and then
ruled that Trautman could answer
the question.
Then to put an ironic touch to the
outburst Trautman said he did not
know Conners.
Object to Questioning
The State passed Trautman and
Remus arose to interrogate the
prospective Juror.
Objection was raised by the
State to Remus' participation along
the line.
The States objection was put by
Basler, who said It was ridiculous"
for man whose defense was that
OF insanity to attempt to conduct
his owII case.
Elston reminded the court that
Remus pleaded insanity only at the
time of the shooting.
"It is ridiculous proposition"
Basler repeated.
mo legitimate defense Is a ridicu-
lous proposition" Elston countered.
When court reconvened Judge
Chester r. Shook ruled that Remus
could question the Jurors.
"Will the fact that I am a de-
fendant and yet am taking a hand
in trial Of my case influence your"
Rernus asked Trautman.
mo-" said the venireman.
Would the fact that my name
has appeared unfavorably in the
newspapers prejudice you?" Remus
pursued.
mo, SIR"
"Has your own home life been
such that you can sit as an Impair
tial juror in this case2"
Jurors Are Women
Charles p. Taft II, cuunty prose.
cutor, objected, but the witness was
permitted his affirmative answer.
Then Remus touched upon his
technical defense.
"If alienists conclude that the
defendant was sane on Oct. g." he
asked, would you be guided en-
tirely by their expert Testimony or
on other evidence as well2"
Taft was on his feet with an OBJ
lection.
Judge Shook again ruled In Re-
mus favor.