The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-06-25
BALDWINS GET
5YEARS MORE:
PLEAD GUILTY
Hot Car Ring Leaders Es-
cape With Third and
Fourth of Maximums.
LOOKS SWAY JUDGE
Don't Seem Like Bad Men,
Says Slick; Wards Plea
Is 0VerruIed.

Refusing to give them maXimumS
n fifteen and twenty years, Federal
Judge Thomas w. Slick today added
only FIVE years each to the two-year
sentenceS which Ted and Leo Bald
win, brothers, are serving in Leaven-
worth federal prison as the ring
leaders of the interstate automobile
theft ring uncovered here last fall.
Judge Slick, explaining his
leuiency from the bench, over OBJ
iections Of Albert Ward, special dis
trict attorney. declared the two
ringleaders did not lock like bad
men.
Your honor doesn't know how
bad they are, commented Ward
A score of Indianapolis and In
diana men have served. or are serv-
ing terms as a result of the opera
tions Of the ring engineered by the
two BaldWins.
Twenty Autos Stolen
More than twenty expensive auto
mobiles stolen throughout the
middle west were traced through
the ring.
The indictments upon which the
BaldWins faced Judge Slick today
were expressly drawn in order to
give them heavier punishment than
the two years on conspiracy counts,
which they got in the original trials
last year. Albert Ward. then dis
trict attorney, since resigned, was
retained to complete the cases.
". Lee Smith and Robert Money
fQrmer Ku-Klux Klan leaders,.
Jacob Wohlfeld. Fred Binzer and
Louis A. Windt. all convicted in
the first trial, we're brought back
from LeavenWorth to be witnesses
against the Baldwins today. but the
brothers, on advice of their attorc-
neys, Fred Bonif1eld and Earl r.
Cox, suddenly changed their pleas
to guilty as the trial opened.
Admit Guilt
Leo admitted his guilt of four
counts upon each of which he could
have been sentenced for five years
and Ted pleaded guilty to three
counts, each punishable by five
years. Five thousand dollar fines
could have been added upon each
count.
Ward outlined the widespread
conspiracy. Judge Slick, sitting in
place of Judge Robert G. Baltzell,
who has been i'll, asked the brothers
how they got started in crime.
we don't know Just how We did
get started" they replied in unison.
Further questions as to details Of
the conspiracy brought no informa-
ton.
They had a pretty bad record,
didn't they?" the judge inquired Of
Ward.
Yes, I think they had a pretty
bad record and I don't think it
would be fair to let them get away
with an easy sentence. They have
been some expense to the govern
ment, answered Ward.
I am Influenced a great deal by
mans looks and expression and
these men do not look like bad
men"
, Your honor doesn't know what
bad men they are commented
Ward.
Sure Ted Is Bright
well" said the Judge. I'm sure
that Ted Baldwin is bright man"
Yes" interpoSed Ward. Hes
bright all right. He can write five
different kinds of handwriting.
The court then passed the five
wear sentence upon each count. but
stipulated that the sentences run
concurrently, thereby adding only
FIVE years to each mans time. Un-
der the federal parole system they
are eligible for freedom after serving
one-third of the seven years, so that
they may have to be locked up only
two and one-third years.
Only two of the hot car cases
remain to be tried, those of Ray
huntington and Joseph Hunter, both
Of whom are fugitives.