The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-11-21
YELLING WILL
FACE QUIZ BY
GRAND JURORS
Conduct of Coroner'S Office
Will Be Probed by
Prosecutors Order.
LAW VIOLATION IS SEEN
Impeachment May Follow;
Investigation Welcome,
Says Official.
BY DICK MILLER

Vehling has conducted illegal au-
topsies and obtained fees for them
from county commissioners will be
laid before the Marion county grand
jury next week by Prosecutor Her
bert E. Wilson.
Following The Times revelations
of alleged misconduct, Wilson an
nounced late Friday that he would
present evidence in an effort to de-
ternline if Vehling has violated
state laws and if he can be i'm
peached for the purported malad-
ministration.
Vehling stolidly denies there is
anything wrong in operations of his
Office, and, following Wilson's an
nouncement of the coming probe,
said be would welcome the investi-
cation.
Bares Improper Action
In the last week, The Times has
uncovered cases in which Vehling
ordered autopsies of bodies of per-
sons who died from natural causes.
The state law and rulings of the
Indiana supreme court hold the
coroner can not perform post-mor-
TENS unless there is death by vio-
lence, or some indication of criminal
action resulting in death.
Much of the evidence presented
the grand jury for its investiga-
ton will be that which The Times
has revealed. The grand jury will
be shown alleged discrepancies in
city hospital death returns and
those made out by Vehling after
conducting purposed curiosity
autopsies, the grand jury will hear
charges that Vehling, or some of
his deputies, collected $25 autopsy
fee in each case.
High-handed methods of the cor
onor in alleged, Stealing" of bodies
of persons who died from natural
causes also will be shown the probe
group.
Exorbitant Fees Alleged
Allegations that Vehling con-
Quoted autopsies on bodies without
consent of relatives and friends, and
then charged exorbitant rates when
persons retained other undertakerS
for the burial, also will be laid be-
fore the grand jury.
Instances in which the coroner
and his aids are alleged to have
threatened to change verdictS tc
block collection of insurance by
beneficiaries of deceased persons
also were charged. One instance
where Vehling is alleged to have
threatened relatives and friends OF
victims of a train crash with ar
rest if they interfered with his au-
topsy program, also is to be pre-
Sented the quiz group.
Several months ago The Times
related how Vehling was performing
alleged unwarranted autopsieS. Since
then he has exhausted his annual
$500 autopsy fund and sought $3.50
additional from county councilmen.
His request was refused and, al
though commissioners have threat
ened to sue him on his bond, no
such action has been taken.
Neither have commissioners taken
steps to reclaim alleged illegal fees
paid Hugo Summers, former con-
stable of Vehling. for purported
false services of writs. 1t was dis
covered the law did not provide for
Summers post and he was dis
charged.
Suits Are Filed
Wilson'S Iaoic;o,, ~ ;,,,yoef;NoFo
the coroner's Office followed confer
ences with persons who have, in
some cases, filed suits against Vehl-
ing for damages for his activities
in natural death cases.
III the last ten days, Wilson and
Vehling have had heated confer
enceS over the situation.
Vehling first refused to accept
Wilson'S advice on performance Of
post-mortemS. Several days ago he
said he would be advised by Har-
vey Grabill, county attorney, bu
Grabill refused, stating he was mo-
eligible to serve.
Wilson'S statement relative to the
grand jury investigation and plob'
The prosecutor feels that Sufi.
cient evidence has been presented
to this office concerning conduct O.
the Marion county coroner to war
rant the prosecutor laying the en-,
tire matter before the grand jury.
THE grand jury will be asked t
determine whether the coroner ha.
violated any laws contrary TO thu
criminal statutes of Indiana.
vehling Makes Reply
1.-The grand jury also will b
asked to determine whether tn
coroner's conduct in office has beel
such as to warrant the prosecute
filing impeachment proceeding
against him.
THE state will commence pres
entation of evidence as soon mex
week as the grand jury will be abb
to hear the same"
Vehling'S statement in answer {
announcement of the investigation
follows:
IT feel the conduct of my offic
is according to law. Records IN m
Office will reveal the true status @
the Office. / welcome the gran
jury probe.
Il am confident that the resul
will serve as an answer to the crit
icism Of the management of m
offica."