The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-01-22
ONSLAUGHT ON
CRIME is BEGUN
BY HOUSE BILLS
Measures introduced to
Speed Up Work of
Justice.

The legislative onslaught on crime
has been started in the house of
representatives with the introduc-
ton of five bills dealing with vari-
Gus phases of crime a, court pro-
cedure dealing with its punishment.
A measure providing for increas-
ing the appellate court from six
to nine members, with jurisdiction
in criminal case appeals, also was
introduced.
In order to make more strict the
statutes covering Use of weapons in
bank robbery or holdups, Represen-
tative Than S. Adams, Danvllle,
Monday introduced bill providing
penalty of life imprisonment or
death shall be mandatory upon con-
viction of bank banditry or robbery
if firearms we're used or threatened
in preparation of the crime. This
measure was submitted to the COM
mittee on criminal code.
A law aimed at the automobile
thief who alters and changes au-
tomobile Identification marks, the
purchaser and seller, was intro
duced by Frank E. Wright of In
dianapolis.
Hit at Hung Juries
Wright's bill would make this
a felony punishable by from one to
fourteen years imprisonment. This
measure also was submitted to the
committee on the criminal code.
An effort to prevent hung juries
is made in two measures introduced.
The one submitted by Representa-
tive Adams provides that in criminal
cases where the death penalty or
life imprisonment may be imposed,
eleven jurors rlay return verdict
of acquittal or conviction; and that
in other cases ten jurors may re-
turn the verdict. The measure also
provides that in civil cases the YER
dict may be returned by nine jurors.
This bill, however, was withdrawn
today.
Another bill regarding jury prac-
tice was introduced by Representa-
tives John w. Chamberlain, Terre
Haute; Lloyd D. Claycombe, Indi-
annapolis, and DELPHI L. McKesson,
Plymouth. This measure provides
for verdicts in civil cases by FIVE
sixths of a jury. Both of the jury
bills have been submitted to the
Judiciary B committee.
Speed Up Courts
In order to speed up criminal
cases now before the Marion county
criminal court bill was introduced
by John l.. Benedict, Indianapolis
for the creation of second Marion
county criminal court. Under his
plan superior court 5 would have
concurrent Jurisdiction and perform
all of the duties of the criminal
court.
Half of the cases pending before
the criminal court are to be as
signed to the new court upon pass
age of the bill, the measure says.
This measure was referred to the
organization of courts committee.
The bill increasing the member
ship OF the appellate court by three
was introduced by Representative
Robert B. Stewart, Brazil. The
Governor is authorized to appoint
three new judges for a period end
ing Dec. 81, 1882.
The appellate court instead of
sitting in two divisions will sit in
three divisions. If the three judges
cannot agree, the case under con-
sideration shall be submitted to the
three divisions sitting together in
which event five judges, must con-
cur for a decision.
All criminal cases now on the
supreme court docket may be trans
ferred to the appellate docket, ex-
cept in cases of murder, treason and
involving questions of constitution
atty. The bill was submitted to
the committee on organization Of
courts.