The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-02-27
DEFENSE GETS
Severe BLOW
IN GIN TRIAL
Doctor TeStifieS Arlene Died
From Attack; Fall
Theory Shaken.
BIZ Times Special

By Times Special
VALPARAISO, Ind, Feb. 81
Shadow of the electric chair reached
more menacingly toward Virgil
Kirkland today than at any time
since Arlene braves died after a gin
party in Gary Nov. %, resulting in
Indictment of Kirkland and four
companions on first degree murder
charges.
In Porter circuit court here where
Kirkland is the first of the quintet
to - to trial, the state late
Thursday smashed devastatingly at
defense theories that Arlene died
from a brain conclusion incurred
when she fell down.
DR.. James B. Burcham, coroner's
physician who performed an autopsy
on/the girls body, said the brain
conclusion probably would not have
proved fatal.
Fails to Belittle Doctor
Then he added that shock and
hemorrhages, together with bruises,
resultant from criminal assaults,
we're responsible Cor her death.
DR.. -Burehan was to return to-tfe
stand today for further cross
examination by Krkland's attorneys,
who failed Thursday in attempts to
belittle his testimony.
Richard Oldham, defense counsel,
struck at DIR. Burchan1's experience,
but found his blow turned upon
himself. DIR. Burcham had stated
he had been a practicing physician
only three years.
How many autopsies have you
performed" Oldham asked.
Il have no record of that" DR..
Burcham replied.
Would you say f1ve?"
Yes, and more 1t runs into
hundreds"
Oldham quickly took UP another
line of cross examination.
Lock Doors Against Crowd
Morbid curiosity of the crowd
Surged beyond control when court
attempted to reconvene after the
noon recess Thursday, and when the
crowd pressed beyond the railing,
jammed aisleS, and threatened to
become unruly, Judge Grant Crum-
packer packed off the principals in
the case to another, and smaller,
courtroom where the doors we're
locked before it was flooded with
spectators.
Those disappointed in obtaining
seats pressed against glass doors
and lowered in the corridors to
catch words of the testimony.
Throughout the day, Kirkland
maintained his unruffled calm that
has characterized his appearances
in court, and his confinement in
Jail awaiting trial.
Woman Faints in Courtroom
When Mrs. Earl braves, sister
in-law of the dead girl tainted, and
when his mother was taken from
the room, sobbing Historically,
Virgil only smoothed his hair with
hand, and continued to stare at
the stained-glass window where the
artisan had worked in colors the
balanced scales of justice.
Court was adjourned Thursday
with no ruling by Judge Crumpack-
err on admisSibility of a confession
signed by Kirkland in police head
quarters at Gary shortly after his
arrest.
Attorneys wrangled about the
confessions introduction almost
half an hour before the Judge
halted arguments with a promise
to rule on its right to be shown to
the jury. e..
Fathers Shake Hands
One scene behind the railing of
the courtroom during the morning
session moved spectators, Elmer
braves, father of the girl, ap-
preached Charles j. Kirkland,
father of the defendant, his hand
outstretched.
1T is my duty to express SYM
pstily to you" he muttered. I'VE
are all parents of this jazz age. I
loved Arlene perhaps more because
she had no mother to guide her,
but hold no malice toward you"
Dazedly, Kirkland grasped the
other parents hand, and they en-
braced.
After police described Virgil's
breakdown and confession after he
viewed the girls body in a morgue
the DAY following the party, Mrs.
Bernice ElSer. a member of the
fateful gin party. described having
seen Arlene'S nude body in an auto
in which the state alleges attacks
by the five men took place.
She said Arlene was sober, and
was missing from the party when
suddenly the crowd dispersed be-
cause Of a growing feeling that
something extraordinary had hap