The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-09-22
DUVALL TRIAL ARGUMENTS

Special Prosecutor John w. Holtz-
man, former Indianapolis mayor,
began his final argument to the jury
at 9 a. m. today, in the States case
against Mayor John L. Duvall alleg-
ing violation of the corrupt prac-
tees act.
Hoffman was the second State
attorney to present his argument to
\ the jurors. Special Prosecutor Ems
ley johnson opened the States bar
rage late Wednesday afternoon.
my purpose, gentlemen of the
jury, is not to mangle or distort the
evidence in this case" Hoffman be-
gan, "but to aid you, if possible. in
arriving at a fair and just conclu-
sion."
Hoffman then stated the basis of
the case and the Importance of the
corrupt practises act in guarding
purity of the ballot"
Citizens Have Rights
every citizen has the right to
have a searchlight thrown upon the
election of his officials; night time
and darkness have no place in the
selection of honest candidates"
Martin M. Hugg, defense counsel,
opened the defense argument late
Wednesday afternoon and said that
sinister influences were behind the
prosecution of Mayor John L. Du-
vail"
What is back of this prosecu-
ton, Mr.. Hugg asked your" Holtz-
man said. what is back of it? The
State of Indiana and the citizens
of this community are back of the
enforcement of the corrupt practices
act, and a man you have elected
by honest ballot, William H. Remy,
your prosecuting attorney, is back
of it,"
7 Tells Of Armitage Offer
+ Hoffman then swung into details
of the case and outlined Armitage's
alleged offer of $4,000 to Duvall for
| the right to appoint two board OF
works members and the city engi-
neer.
Duvall claims he accepted Armi-
tage's money to prevent him from
using it in the campaign to defeat
him and that he intended to return
it and did return it.
"Armitage never paid any money
without a distinct understanding of
how he was going to get it back
Hoffman Numbered to the jurors.
BILL Armitage testified here and
told all-that he was a saloon keep
err, a gambling house keeper, and
that he sold material to city con-
tractors"
,"He was the kind of gambler of
whom you all have heard, the kind
whose word is his bond. If this
wasn't true they would have had
witness after witness here to testify
that Armitage's reputation for truth
and veracity is bad, as they did in
the case of Frank Sipe."
Hoffman then turned to Duvall's
trip to Pekin, Ill, the day Of the
election, here Arnitage met him,
and whence they drove to Spring.
field, ILL.,, in company with the
mayors brother -in-law, William c..
Buser, former city controller.
"Why did Duvall deny seeing
Armitage in Pekin to the newspa-
per man who questioned him there,
and who testified here, If his hands
were perfectly clean in the inatter?"
Hoffman asked.
bill Armitage told you he didn't
want to talk in front of Buser dur
ing that auto ride from Pekin to
Springfield, when the three were in
the car. Armitage had bought two
offices on the board of works and
the city engineers office and he
didn't want to talk about it to any,
one, but Buser said he did," Holtz-
man said.
Speaking of the conversation in
the hotel room which Armitage said
was between him and Duvall alone,
and which Buser said he was 'in
on" Hoffman said:
"Buser and Duvall told you that
Armitage offered $4,000 additional
ior one member on the board of
works after Duvall told him he was
going to give Armitage his money
back. Now, they may abuse Bill
Armitage all they want to, but he is
not fool and he knew, as you
know, that one member on board
of three would have been as useless
to him as the fifth wheel on a farm
wagon. If he could get only one
job, he would take the city engineer,
the man who makes up the
estimates and specifications.
Deception Suggested h
s'Buser said that Armitage told
him to register under an assumed
name at that hotel in Springfield,
Hoffman continued, NOW, If that
transaction had been perfectly clean
he would have resented the decep-
ton"
Speaking of the attempt to bride
with $4,000 as Buser and Duvall
claimed against Armitage, Eoltzman
said:
"And yet they played with himl
Buser and Duvall invited Armitage
to go back to Pekin with them right
after, as they claim, he attempted
Il to bride them / don't believe there
is man on this jury who wouldn't
| kick the man who made PROPOSE.