The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-02-28

the insane.
In criminal court Friday
Schroeder watched the state
begin it's fight to send him to
the electric chair.
Before the jury, Schroeder heard
states witnesses narrate a simple,
straight forward story of events the
night of the alleged crime.
Key Witness Testifes
Miss Ruby Blue, %, of Green
castle, states key witness, told the
Jury she and Jack Allen, Clayton,
saw Schroeder on the night of the
crime less than a mile from High
School road, where Schroeder's car
and it's human cargo we're enveloped
in flames.
Schroeder stepped to the center
of Rockville road and waved his
hand for US to stop. We saw him
in the CLEAN of the headlights" Miss
Blue testified. 4..,s
DO you see in this courtroom
anyone you saw on Rockville road,
that night?" Miss Blue was asked.
yes" she said, "it was Harold
Herbert Schroeder."
Rode with Couple
She told of Schroeder getting into
the car with her and Allen.
81 asked him if he had seen the
burning car" Miss Blue testified.
Schroeder said what car?'-'No,
hadn't seen it, she continued.
Did he tell you where he was
going?" she was asked.
YES, he said he was going to
Detroit by way of Cleveland, and
that he hitch-niked from Terre
Haute that day
HE was dressed in dark trousers,
light shirt, raincoat and car
RED a blanket. He was not wearing
a hat or glasses" she testified
At Senate avenue and West
Washington street, Schroeder asked
20 be let out of the car, she said.
Failed TO Tell Police
He said his appearances we're
such that I'd rather not be seen in
town. Miss Blue continued.
Cross examining the witness,
Holmes attacked Miss Blues failure
to report the incident to police. Miss
Blue identified a tan blanket which
Schroeder carried when he was
picked up. She and Allen had
watched the car burn for several
minutes before continuing to the
city. she said.
Harvey Shipp and Charles Bell,
former deputy sheriffs, were on the
stand preceding Miss Blue. They
told Of arriving at the flaming car
at about 1870 a. m.
The sedan and its cargo was on
The west side of the road, headed
south, the two right wheels in a
ditch at the roadside. The inside
of the auto had been enveloped in
flames while the two rear wheels
and a spare tire also were burning.
Charred Body Found
1t was not until the flames had
subsidized that the charred body OF
q man was found slumped on the
front seat.
'Firenen ripped the side of the
car out with axes and we dragged
the body from the car, which still
was redhot," Shipp testified.
Near the front wheels of the
blackened hull of the sedan lay a
coat in which were the initials III.
H. S." a pocketbook containing
card with Schroeders name was
found in the lining, Shipp stated.
Schroeder's raincoat later was
found in an alley south of where he
left Miss Blue and Allen.
II was almost three weeks later
before authorities, tracing minute
clews, captured Schroeder in a weed
patch near his Mobile home.
Laugh for Both
An amusing incident of Miss
Blues appearance on the stand oc-
CURED when she was asked by
prosecutors what license plates the
burning car bore.
Mobile, Ala, license" she an
swered quickly. then hesitated.
Spectators we're amazed to see
her suddenly look directly at
Schroeder. sitting at the defense
table. Miss Blue broke into laugh
Schroeder laughed with her.
i meant Alabama license" Miss
Elue re-stated.
Judge Frank P. Baker at this
point raped vigorously for order,
threatening to exclude spectators
unless quiet was maintained.
Evidence to Last All Week
Prosecutor Herbert Wilson, who
petitioned for the sanity examina-
ton Of the Alabaman, said Friday,