The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-09-16

the Indiana Supreme Court upheld
this.
At 1880 a. m. Judge Shirley re-
called the jury, and after telling
them that evidence would not be
heard until court convened for the
afternoon session, dismissed them in
charge Of the baliff.
Special Prosecutor John w. Holtz-
man said that if Bedford is per-
mitted to testify, the State has
about twenty other witnesses it will
call, but that if the court rules against
the State upon this point the State,
will rest Immediately.
Should the State do this it is ex-
pected that the defense will place
Mayor Duvall upon the stand to
deny the amazing story of bartering
in city hall jobs which Arnlitage
and Freeman told Thursday.
Freeman on Stand
William H. Freeman, whom the
State alleges Duvall promised Armi-
tage would be appointed board Of
works president, in return for Ar
mitage's money, followed Armitage
to the stand Wednesday afternoon.
On direct examination Freeman
testified that at a meeting June Is
or 16, 1925, at Duvalls home, Du-
vail promised on "his word and
honor as a Mason, that his agree
ment with Armitage would be kept.
This included placing Freeman at
the head of the works board.
"Duvall said for me not to bother
him and to remain i'll the back
ground in whatever work did for
him and not to be out in 'front.'"
Freeman testified
did you understand that he re-
garded your help as positive detri-
mentP" Defense Attorney Michael.
A. Ryan asked.
mo, sir" Freeman replied.
Freeman testified that he gave
$500 to Duvall's campaign fund
through Armitage, but that he re.
fused point blank request of Du.
wallis for $1,000 in return for "A
board of works appointment.
Freeman testified that he told
Duvall, when asked for the $4,000.
"Duvall, you know the corrupt prac-
tees act as we'll as I do and that
this is penitentiary offense."
Under cross-examination by Ryan.
Freeman was asked if he regarded
the request as illegal because of the
large amount involved.
did you think the $500 you paid
was all right? In other words, did
you regard it in the same light as
grand and petit larceny" Ryan
asked sarcastically. when you paid
that $500 you knew it was bribe
for an office, didn't you?"
1 II did not" Freeman replied.
A furore arose later when Ryan
said to the witness, Nov try to
frame your answer so that it will
not be Intruthful."
Special Prosecutor John Holtz-
man sprang to his feet, II move to
strike that obnoxious word out of
the record" he said.
The court complied with the re-
guest, while Ryan prepared unaware
of which word of his was obnoxious"
Freeman's testimony differed
from Armitage's in two places.
Freeman said William G. Buser, the
mayors brother-inAlaw, returned
$12,500 of Armitage's money TO
Armitage through a two-inch crack
in the door of Armitage's Office in
Castle Hall Bldg.
Freeman said he was there when
this happened, that he could not
see who was outside the door, but
that "Armitage said it was Buser."
Freeman said the money was
counted in his presence by ARM
itage and that it totaled S12,500.
Armitage had testified that Busar
brought the money to his home at
the time he brought Arnnitage's
grip back, the day Armitage re-
turned from his conference with
Duvall at Springfield, Ill Arrnitage
said it totaled $4,000 when he
counted it later at his office.
j