The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-03-07
NEAR END OF
IN
GIN TRAGEDY
All Evidence in Kirkland
Trial May Be Completed
by Noon Today.
P.u Times Special


By Times Special
VALPARAISO. Ind, March T.
It's string of rebuttal witnesses al
most at an end, the state was pre-
pared this morning to conclude all
presentation of evidence in thu MUIR
der trial of Virgil Kirkland before
Porter circuit court was adjourned
at noon.
The defense rested it's case late
Friday after placing Kirkland on
the stand to testify of his love for
Arlene braves, whom he is alleged
to have attacked and murdered,
and to describe the gin orgy in Gary
Nov. % that preceded the tragedy.
Prosecutor John Underwood, with
whom Barrett O'Hara, defense at
torney, Friday pleaded ito be
decent in cross examination of the
young defendant, was TO call addi-
tional expert witnesses today to
tear down the boys recital of ten
der, romantic courtship n which
his intentions were to marry Arlene.
Physicians Testify
Underwood put on the stand Fri
day afternoon DR.. George Bicknell,
Hammond, who represented the
state at an autopsy on the girls
body Wednesday.
Dr. Bicknell contradicted state
ments of DR.. Joseph Springer, Chi
cago crinlinologist, who represented
the defense at the autopsy and later
said he found no evidence that Ar
lene had been ravished.
Lacerations, blood, and twenty-six
bruises on her body that could not
have been inflicted in a fall from
a chair, demonstrated that Arlene
had been assaulted and treated bru-
tally, Dr.. Bicknell told the jury.
DR.. E. S. Jones, East Chicago, an
other physician who represented the
state at the autopsy, was to testify
tiaiS morning, corroboraing DR.. Bick-
nell's estimony.
Court to Adjourn at Noon
Court will be adjourned at noon
for the weekend and the jury will
be escorted to a house rented for
them several blocks from the court
house.
When Judge Grant Crumpacker
reconvenes the session Monday
morning the state is expected to be-
gin with its closing arguments, after
which OHara will sum up the de-
Tense claims. Arguments are ex-
pected to consume two days, and
the case probably will go to the jury
Tuesday.
Kirkland's testimony, a lengthy
recitation of youthful love affairs,
of parties, dances and auto rides,
of petting parties and finally the
fatal gin party in the home of
David Thompson, also accused of
Arlene's death, drew little credit
from the rows of cynical spectators
who crammed the courtroom.
Crowd Unaffected by Sobs
1000 smooth" the murmur ran
around the room. HE memorized
it,"
Not even when, at the more ten
der memories, Kirkland broke down
in sobs, was the crowd affected. In
their customary reserved seats the
braves family listened with bitter
intensity to Kirkland's story.
He les" they said.
In the same row sat Virgil's
mother, who later was called to the
stand only to verify facts concern
ing Virgil'S birth. She and the
stepfather hung anxiously on the
sons words, and the mother con-
stantly encouraged the boy with
little smiles and mods of the head.
On the stand Virgil told of his
early life in Missouri, and then told
the jury he first met Arlene in the
Gay Mill dance hall, near Gary
three years ago.
Il went there, just like all young
fellows do, to dance. I saw Babe
and she attracted me, and I asked
her for dance"
Marriage Was Planned
From that time the romance
progressed.
Kirkland said he planned to mar
~ Arlene, and once. they even went
to Valparaiso from Gary to get the
license, but she became i'll.
OHara's questioning jumped then
to the night Arlene died.
Kirkland retold how he had
called for her and taken her to
Thompson'S home, where they
danced, drank and finally went to
the porch to be by themselves.
Virgil, when you we're there on
the porch with Arlene were there
any relations between you?" the at
torney asked.
Tells of Girls Death
YES Kirkland replied.
Then, he testified, Arlene wanted
to go home. but as she arose she
fell On her head. He took her to
an auto, in which he, Harry Shirk,
Leon Stanford, Paul Barton and
Thompson, the others charged with
the murder, went for sandwiches.
Later in the mc<ning they be-
came frightened because they could
not arouse the girl, and took her
to physician who pronounced her
dead, Kirkland said.
Sheep Killing Costs $500
BIZ Times Special
ANDERSON, Ind, March t.
Green township collected 1919 for
dog tax and spent $500 recon-
pensing farmers for losses caused by
sheep killing dogs. Cline Jester
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