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

JOECfl SLdgclo, Cducu IlcllOS
I'm human form" by the judge who
sentenced them, were in solitary
confinement today in Jackson
prison, serving the first day Of a
lifelong penalty for killing and
burning two young couples on 4
lonely country road lear here
early last Tuesday.
They confessed, were sentenced
20 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
mentioned by the men in their
confessions-was revealed early to-
oay with the arrest OF Catherine
Keller, Is. at her home in Ypsy-
Ianti. She was brought 10 the
county Jail here. Officers began an
Investigation OF reports that she
accompanied the killers early Tues
day when they robbed the young
couples. attacked one 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 parry before the holdup
and killings occurred.
The closing OF the doors OF the
prison at jackson. 80 miles away.
a few minutes before midnight.
ended the most riotous day in the
history OF this university COM
munity.
-Four times angry crowds Mt
tempted ~ snatch the prisoners
Smith. %, ex-convict: David Black
stone. 80. ~itineilnt negro. and
Frank Oliver. I9-year-old painter
from a half hundred officers
guarding them and impose their
own penalty.
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
ether prisoners were non-commttal.
Wind-up Sensational
The wind-up OF the most sensa-
tional crime in Michigan in many
years came with breath-taking
rapidly.
The clue that provided the key
for the solution of the case was
the finding Of the gun used 10
slay the victims.
The weapon was turned over to
the WaShtenaw county deputies by
an undercover man 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 grilling
by prosecutors Of Wayne ana
W~ashtenaw counties.
Finally Blackstone gave in. He
admitted that he, Smith and an
other white nan killed the cou-
pies after ro5bing them. carried
the bodies in the ear Of the auto
mobile OF Thames Wheatley, n 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 70 the
Ypsilanti city hall, where the ques-
tioning was being conducted, ne
cried out. II did Il. / 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 the
trial were rambling. garbled and at
odds with numerous minor details,
Indicating the condition Of the
killers when they slew the young
couples.
AZ the men were led out. the
crowd surged forward and attempt
or 10 Law hands on the prisoners,
oliver was pummelled and scratch
cd. but the officers rescued MN
and the trip here, a distance OF
eight miles. was made without
incident. although roads were
blocked by the many AUTOMOBILES
which swung in behind the ponce
party. -
At GAO D. m. an hour and five
minutes after the confessions had
been given at Ypsilanti, the pris-
oners were arraigned before JUS
tice ofthe Peace Jay Payne. waived
arraignment and pleadct guilty.
Still the crowd grew. and a quar-
ter OF an hour later when n men
were started across the street to
the court nous in two automobiles.
the enrared citizens pressed against
the machines. Tear gas bombs were
discharged by the police. the crowd
gave wav 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-
titled 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 pS onounceo
sentence-life imprisonment ~
Marquette branch prison on eacn
of four counts. the terms not TO
rim concrlrrently. The passing Q.