The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-05-05
After Armitage, What?

Judge James A. Collins Of the Criminal Court
has sentenced James Armitage to Jail for contempt
of his court
BY his decision, he puts the stamp of judicial
approval upon the story told by member of the
grand jury, Claude Achey, which was so startling IN
it's details and in its nature that this COM
munity long used to shocking tales and charges of
scandal was appalled,.
That charge in brief, was that Armitage, known
as a dabbler in politics and especially underworld
politics, former keeper of gambling houses which
were raided by the police, man who resigned from
the board of safety when the prosecuting attorney
suggested that his presence there dstasteful to
him as a prosecuting officer resignation which
was almost confession had offered bride to this
grand juror.
The nature of the bride was more than the
usual evil one of money.
The charge of Achey, given judicial con-
frmation, was that he was offered huge sum of
money and also job in the city service, job which
was not at the disposal of Armitage.
That offer of city position as bride, remem-
Der, now has the stamp of truth placed upon it by
Judge James A. Collins.
The purpose of the bride, If the story of Achey
be believed by the public as it was believed by Judge
James A. Collins, was protection of Mayor John
L. Duval.
rOr JHS Judge 10 DellSNe SJOIy VI ACH6y, IL
necessary for him to believe that Mayor Duvall
needed such protection.
Otherwise the entire story of Achey would
have been preposterous and scandalous.
To reach such decision as he did reach it
essential that Judge Collins had reason to be-
ieve that evidence had been presented against the
mayor Of this city Of a nature which would prompt
Armitage some other anxious friend or follower
Of the mayor to make an offer.
The decision implies that Judge Collins had at
least some basis for believing that offer of such
a bribe was a reasonable procedure.
The fact that the contempt charge was brought
on the motion of Prosecuting Attorney Remy may
have been all the information which Judge Collins
had concerning the testimony which had been pre-
scented to the present grand jury and to the
which for eleven weeks delved into political
dals
The fact that it was brought by Remy who
knows what that evidence has been, means only
of two things.
Either Mr.. Remy knew that the grand jury had
heard evidence which would make it reasonable to
believe the Achey story of bride for protection of
Mayor Duvall he has used his Office to maliciously
prosecute man who was innocent.
Armitage could not be guilty of this offer of a
bride II there had been no evidence before that grand
jury which would make it reasonable to believe the
story of a bride.
The implications of that decision by Judge Col
Inns when he pronounced Armitage guilty of con-
tempt through the offer of a bride are much worse
than the offer of the bride as charged.
For when Judge Collins found Armtage guilty
of contempt, he indicted in the public mind a man
who had chance to defend himself.
Stamping the Achey story with the judicial
seal of truth is but another way of pointing the
finger Of accusation at the mayor Of this city and
declaring that he needed just such an interference.
This is palpaby unfair to the mayor. He
should have chance in some court and in some
lection which Judge Collins now says was sought
for him by James Armitage.
1t Is no part of American method Of Justice or
Of fairness to condemn men unheard and without a
chance.
1t is part of our system of government to
convict without trial
What will be or should be the next chapter in
this amazing bit of local history?
Certainly there should be some court and some
place that the mayor of this city, if he so desires
should enter and show that he did not need this
bribery of grand jury to prevent himself from be-
ing indicted for any charge of crime.
Neither the court, the prosecutor nor the public
and certainly not Mayor John Duvall should be sat
isfed with the conviction of Armitage 1t lacks
something. Unless it be conceded that the mayor
needed protectonJ the whole decision fails in its
reasonableness. If he did need that protection what
next? s