The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-05-12
JURY Seated
FOR KIRKLAND
DEATH TRIAL
State to Begin Presenting
Evidence in Case
Late Today.
FATE UP TO FATHERS
Stories of Pals VINO Turn
Against Youth Will Not
Be Used.
FATE UP TO FATHERS
BIZ United Press

VALPARAISO, Ind, May IA
jury of twelve men, eight of them
fathers, was obtained today and
sworn to try Virgil Kirkland, 20
year-old Gary football player, for
his life on first degree murder
charges growing out of the death Of
his sweetheart, Arlene braves, 49,
year-old high school girl, during
wine and gin party last November
The jury was completed when
state and defense agreed on Marion
Trowbridge, 28-year-old former po-
liceman, as the twelfth member Of
the panel, after two weeks and one
day had been consumed in ques-
tioning almost 400 veniremen.
Eight Are Fathers
The eleven other members Of the
jury which will decide whether
Kirkland was guilty of causing
Miss braves death by criminal as
sault or attempted criminal assault
are
Charles Walters, SO, railroad
agent, no children.
A. w. Fleming, "a, farmer, two
sons, 25 ana 81; two daughters, 81
and II.
Harry Casbon, 25, metal worker,
infant son.
George N1cVicker, 81, carpenter,
two sons and two daughters, all
married.
Robert Brady, 80, laborer, two
young sons.
Hugh H. Morrow, Ga, farmer,
three sons, 38, % and rs, and one
daughter, 20.
William Nelson, 38, machinist, two
sons and one daughter, all young.
Herbert Davidson, 81, retired
plumber, no children.
John Bell farmer, three sons. %,
81 and 10.
Norman Ashton, ST, farmer, no
Andrew Jensen, "a, farmer. no
children.
The state is expected TO begin
presentation of its evidence against
the 20-year- old Gary high school
athlete late today.
Turn Against Former Pal
In its case against young Kirk
land on trial for the second time
as the murderer Of Arlene,
the state will not use sensational
stories told by three or four young
men who are indicted with Kirkland
on the murder charges, Prosecutor
John Underwood said this morning.
In their cell at Lake county Jail,
Crown Point, Monday, David
Thompson, Paul Barton and Harry
Shirk turned against their former
pal, and claimed he killed the girl
and then invited them into an auto
mobile where her body lay in
order to shift part of the blame
from himself.
The fifth youth under indictment
as the result of her death, Leon
Stanford, in Jail here awaiting trial,
made no statement.
The others offered to testify
against kirkland, presumably to
obtain immunity as states witnesses
or to further their chances for ac-
quittal when their trials come up.
Boosted of Spotlight
Shirk said Kirkland was angry
with Babe braves after she refused
to marry him while they were on
a drinking party a few weeks be-
fore the tragedy last November.
Thompson declared Kirkland
enjoyed the spotlight flung on
them when they were arrested, and
boosted Wen get more publicity
than Loeb and Leopold got
Thompson, host at the gin party,
after which the state alleges Arlene
was attacked and killed by the
five men, declared that if he had
known Kirkland was coming to
the party he would. have Cancelled it.
Hes been pretty cocky over
there in Valparaiso, but if they'd let
us 60 there and testify he'd lose
that pose and his shoulders would
drop pretty quick" Thompson said.
Underwood said he would not
need testimony of the trio in jail, at
Crown Point.
Maintains Jaunty Air
Almost three hundred persons
were questioned for jury Serv-
ice and dismissed when they asked
to be excused for farm work or said
they were prejudiced as result of
Kirklands first trial, which ter
minated with life Imprisonment fac
ing the defendant.
The state now asks the death
penalty on a charge of murder
with criminal assault, having dis
missed all other charges.
kirkland has lost none of his
jaunty air during the tedious ques-
tioning of jurors, but attorneys and
Judge Grant Crumpacker have be-
come weary, and the courtroom,
which was damned with curious
townSpeople at the former trial, has
haen virtually aD1f0tv