Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-08-14

-AluCC JOICIi SidytIo, CdlleQ IleIlCS
in human form by the judge who
sentenced them, we're in solitary
confinement today In Jackson
prison. serving the first day of a
lifelong penalty for killing and
burning two young couples on n
lonely country road near here
early last Tuesday.
They confessed. we're sentenced
10 life imprisonment and placed
IN the Jackson institution within
six hours time last night.
Woman I'm Affair
A new angle OF the affair-not
confessions-waS revealed early to-
cay with the arrest of Catherine
Keller, Is. at her home IN Ypsy-
lanti. She vas brought to the
county jail here. Officers began an
investigation OF reports hat she
accompanied the killers early Tues
day when they robbed the young
couples. attacked n of the girls,
killed them and then burned their
bodies. Deputies said the woman
was the sweetheart OF Fred Smith,
one OF the convicted men.
She admitted being with the men
Monday nigls, but said that she
left the party before the holdup
and killings occurred.
The closing OF the doors OF the
prison at Jackson. 38 miles away,
a few minutes before midnight,
ended the most riotous day in the
history OF this university CON-
munity.
-Four times angry crowds Mt
tempted ~ snatch the prisoners
Smith. %. %ex-convict; David Black
stone. SO. itine ant negro. and
Frank Oliver. le-year-old painter
from a half hundred officers
guarding them and impose their
own penalty.
The prisoners clothing was torn,
their faces and hands scratched
and their bodies mauled as the
mob fought TO take them from the
officers. Blackstone, during the
ride from Jackson. still aching
from the pummelling he received.
told Sheriff Jacob Andres OF
washtenaw county that he would
rather be in prison than free. The
other prisoners were non-commital.
Wind-up Sensational
The wind-up OF the most sensa-
tional crime in Michigan in many
wears came with breath-taking
arapidity.
The clue that provided the key
for the solution OF the case was
the finding OF the gun used 10
I slay the victims.
The weapon was turned over 10
ythe Washtenaw county deputies BY
an undercover nan for the Ypsi-
lanti police department. IL was
established that the gun had been
in the possession Of Smith as late
as Tuesday morning.
The arrest of Smith and Black
stone followed Thursday morning.
Then came several hours OF griling
by prosecutors OF Wayne and
Washtenaw counties.
Finally Blackstone gave In. He
admitted that he, Smith and an
other white man killed the cou-
pies after robbing them, carried
the bodies in the rear of the auto
mobile OF Thames Wheatley, one OF
the victims. and seeking TO dispose
OF the evidences Of their crime,
soaked the bodies and the auto
mobile with gasoline drained from
the tank OF the machine, and ap-
piled a match.
Soon Smith, who was being
questioned in another room, also
confessed.
Others Named
blackstone had named Oliver as
the other member OF the murder
marty. He was arrested while paint
ing a house in Ypsilanti. A Few
minutes after being taken to the
Ypsilanti city hall. where the ques-
tioning was being conducted, he
cried out. Il did it, I did it, and
then gave a full confession OF his
part in the brutal affair.
Confessions of the men and the
testimony of two OF them at
trial we're rambling. garbled and at
odds with numerous minor details,
indicating the condition Of the
killers when they slew the young
couples.
AS the men we're led out. the
crowd surged forward and attempt
ed 70 Law hands on the prisoners.
oliver was ~punmelled and scratch
ed. but the officers rescued nm.
and the trip here, a distance Oh
eight miles. was made without
incident. although roads were
blocked by the many automoolies
which swung in behind the polce
party.
AT $40 D.. m, an hour and five
minutes after the confessions a
been given at YpSilanti. the, pris-
oners we're arraigned before JUS
fice OF the Peace Jay Payne, waived
arraignment and PLEADED guilty.
Still the crowd grew, and a quar-
Ger OF an hour later when the men
were started cross the street to
the court hous> in two automobiles.
the enraged citizens pressed against
the machines. Tear gas bombs were
discharged by the police. the crowd
gave way and the prisoners were
taken into the court room.
Says Was Recognized
Smith and Oliver repeated to
Judge George w. Sample the con-
LESSONS they had made at Ypsilanti-
Smith gave as the reason for the
crime the fact that he was iden-
tried by the two boys during the
robbery of the couples while they
were parked on Tuttle Hill road.
several miles from the scene Of
the burning OF the auto.
Judge Sample then pronounced
scntence-life Imprisonment in
Marquette branch prison On each
OF four counts. the terms not to
run concurrently. The passing OF
-a-Annnn Ia this manner nrnc-