The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-02-04
final PLANS
ARE MADEFOR
JACKSON TRIAL
Attorneys for Both Sides
Are Wary in Statements
on Preparations.
WEEK TO OBTAIN JURY
Observers Predict Gov
ernor'S Plot Case May Be
Over in Two Weeks.
WEEK TO OBTAIN JURY

Defense and prosecuting attor-
neys. whose battle to prove the
guilt or innocence of Governor Ed
jackson on bribe conspiracy charges
opens Wednesday morning in Ma
rion Criminal Court, were wary in
statements today as preparations
for the trial neared completion.
Prosecutor William H. Remy and
his aid, Special Deputy Emsley w.
johnson, expect States witnesses to
relate conclusively how Jackson
Carried to former Governor Warren
T. McCray an offer of $4,000 and
immunity from conviction. The
offer, the State charges, was made
to obtain appointment Of James E.
Mcdonald as prosecuting attorney
to succeed William P. Evans.
Conviction carries a maximum
penalty of $4,000 fine and from two
to fourteen years Imprisonment.
Special Judge Charles M. McCabe
of Charlottesville will preside at
the trial.
For the first time since the in
dictmentS were returned in Sep
tember, jackson and his co-defend-
ants, County Republican Chairman
George v. Coffin and Robert /.
Marsh, Jackson's former law part
ner, will appear in court for ar
raignment.
Ask Separate Trials
They will enter pleas of not guilty
to the conspiracy charges, defense
counsel said. Judge McCabe for
mally will sustain motions of Coffin
and Marsh for separate trials. The
motions have been on file for two
weeks.
Defense counsel, Louis E. Ewbank.
former State Supreme Court Judge;
Clyde H. Jones and Silac c. Kivitt
OF Martinsville, have indicated they
will battle vigorously for Jacksons
acquittal by exhaustive arguments
on motions to quash and pleas in
abatement.
EWbank today would neither in
dicate the number nor identity of
defense witnesses, nor predict the
time the trial probably will last.
Belief is general that a week Oh
more will be consumed in selecting
a jury Once that is done, the State
case can be presented in two DAYS,
Remy declares.
If the defense takes an equal or
slightly longer interval and rebuff
tai is completed in a reasonable
period, the trial should be concluded
within ten days or two weeks, at
torneys believe.
State Calls Witnesses
States witnesses named when the
indictment was returned are:
James w. Noel, attorney for Nc
Cray when he was convicted in Fed
eral Court for using the mails to
defraud, who is said to have krowl-
edge of the bribery offer.
William P. Evans, whose resigna-
ton from the prosecutors office Gre
ated the vacancy McCray is alleged
to have been offered a bribe to fill
with appointment of Mcdonald.
lIcCray, who, the indictment all
leges, refused the offer and kept it
a secret by fear of threat of power
held by Jackson, Coffin, Marsh and
d. @. Stephenson which might be
used to the injury of McCray's
chances for parole.
Fred Robinson, former State pur-
chasing agent; Robert Lyons, and
Miss Ada Bush, former secretary to
McCray, all of whom are said to
have knowledge of the alleged offer.
Draw Two Special Venires
In the jury box for examination
when the court convenes at 9:3O a.
m. Wednesday will be-
Charles E. Bragg, r. r. A; H. o.
Hoffman, Bridgeport; Elmer Geiger,
Greenwood; Frederick C. Buesking
Cumberland, Ind; Rex T. Arm
strong, Presto-O-Lite Co.; Orville E.
Baker, 315 S. Taft St.; John M.
Mendenhall, r. r. o; Samuel H.
Colbert, Negro r. R. F, Box 1856:
Fred c. Borneman, r. r. j; James
H. Barber, r. r. c, Box 453; Walter
G. Boetcher, 1142 w. Thirty-Fourth
ST., and Ira A. Minnick, 1928 Car
roliton st.
A special venire of fifty will re-
port Wednesday morning. These
prospective jurors will be examined
for service if a jury is not obtained
from the regular court panel. A
second special venire. Of fifty will
report Thursday.
Coffin and Marsh will be tried as
soon as possible after jackson,
States attorneys said They have
not elected which of the two will