The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-02-26
SIGHT OF BODY
BROKE YOUTH.
GIN Jury TOLD
Began to Cry, Confessed at
MOrgue,' Gary Police
man Says.
BOY GROWS NERVOUS
AvertS Eyes From Stand
and Chances Around
Crowded Court.
BOY GROWS NERVOUS
Trial Photo on FsEe -


VALPARAISO, Ind, Feb. 26.-
Dramatic scene in a Gary morgue
that led Virgil Kirkland to con-
fess attacks on Arlene braves was
described at Kirklands trial on a
first degree MURDER charge here to-
day.
While Lieutenant Paul Thixton
Gary policeman, told of taking
Kirkland to view the girls body
IN the morgue, Kirkland averteo
e his eyes from the witness, glancing
nevously about the hushed court
room.
After we arrested Kirkland and
took him to the station we ques-
toned him about the party at the
David Thompson home" Thixton
said. The witness quoted kirkland
rs admitting that everybody was
drinking, and said he took the girl
outside at the party when she be-
came hazy.
After we looked at the body ]
asked Kirkland if he attacked her
He denied it. Deputy Coroner Ches-
ter A. Owen then told the boy about
the condition of Arlene's body-the
bruises and the blood kirkland
began to cry. He sobbed on my
shoulder for some time. Then he
began to confess" said Thixton.
Gave Full Confession"
He admitted that he and four
other men had attacked Arlene dur
ing the night. We returned to police
headquarters and Kirkland gave a
confession admitting that he as
saulted Arlene on the porch of the
Thompson home and tried twice tc
wattack her in the car"
During testimony of two physi-
clans, the coroner, and two police
men Wednesday, Kirkland went
through a severe ordeal, which, al
though affecting him only little
visibly, drove bis mother from the
courtroom, weeping, to seek solace
in the confidence of defense attor@
neys that her son will not be sent
to the electric chair.
DR. r. o. Wharton was the states
key witness Wednesday. 1t was he
to whose home Kirkland and two
companions carried Miss braves
for examination when they could
not rouse her from Inconsistencies,
the state sought to show
DR.. Wharton said the boys
brought the l7-year-old girl into
his house about 3 a. m. Nov. 30
Miss braves was dead
Fired Twice at Car
Il smelled liquor on the breath
of the men. I noticed bruises OF
her body, and discovered she woru
only dress and stockings" the ply
siciap said.
These circumstances led me t,
be believe crime had been com
mitted."
He said he ordered the boys t.
stay i'll the house until he called pc
lice, but as he went upstairs to tn,
telephone they fled in the auto. HI
fired twice at the ground near tn,
speeding car, but it did not stop, h,
told the jury.
Attempt of Barrett O'Hara, chief
A. defense counsel for Kirkland, tc
force an admission from DR.. Whar-
ton that he was prohibitionist
preiudiced against the use of liquor
was futile. Wharton said that while
he did not drink, he though it the
privilege of each man to settle the
question for himself.
Girls Dress Exhibited
The calm of the courtroom wa
broken for an instant Wednesda,
when the dress DR.. Wharton de
scribed was offered as an exhibit
The braves family sat inside the raj
} three sisters, Mrs. Lillian Clem
ems and Caroline and Elsie braves
together with the dead girls thre
brothers and father.
The sisters had sat through tn
entire trial bitterly calm, mask.
ing whatever emotions "Reminiscences
of their sister aroused. But whel
the torn dress was displayed, Mrs
{ Clemens covered her eyes. Caro-
line, 26, a secretary at the Univer
sity of Chicago, Sobbed violently
Elsie, %. school teacher, bit he
knuckles until they bled.
When court adjourned The sister,
sought the embraces of their broth.
erS.
kirkland won't look at u.s. Mrs
Clemens said. He knows what WI
want. He took Arlene's life-hi
should be taken in return"
Or. Herman Batlinger of Gary
Miss braves personal physician
was introduced by the state as {
surprise witness. He described
: bruises on the head and throa
when he saw the body after TIT
autopsy.
Intimate Relations Hintcd
The state then summoned George
Harm and Pie Cross, policemen
called by DR.. Wharton after the
boys fed from his home. They alsC
testified that Kirkland confessed tx
attacks on Miss braves after hi
arrest next day.
Harm said Kirkland admitted tn,
attacks. and then said that "h,
didn't have to attack her-he haC
\ known her long while" This
one of the points the defense il
expected to stress. that if there wa
intimacy between Kirkland anS
Miss braves it was by mutual con
sent.
Cross, who heard some of the
questioning by police, said Kirk.
: land readily admitted his relation:
with the girl, but left the question
: Of forceful attack in doubt.