The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-02-10
YELLING USED
Law AS CLUB,
WITNESS SAYS
Threatened Verdict Change
in Gas Death Cases,
Sister Declares.
CITES HIGH FEE DEMAND
Coroner SCOffed at Hint of
Legal Battle, Court
Told by Woman.


I'll change the verdict"
That statement, attributed to
Coroner Fred w. Vehling, today was
placed before a criminal court jury
as the vital part of the states evil
dence in the trial of the coroner on
the charge of soliciting a bride.
Mrs. Margaret Arnold, 1914 South
Gale street, cousin of Benjamin
Stickel, gas victim, and one of the
star state witnesses, gave the testi-
mony.
Vehling is alleged to have de-
manded $3.50, an auto, household
goods, and $1,000 in insurance pol
icies to bury Stickel; his wife, Letha,
and her brother, William Coble a
year ago. The trio died in their
home, 331 East Tenth street, from
fumes from gas heater.
Price Held Too High
NGI111lS 1ldQ Jllc DOO1So dI LID
undertaking establishment" Mrs.
Arnold testified. when we went
there, Vehling told us it would cost
more than 81 900, the car, $3.50, and
furnishings to obtain burial of the
StickelS and Mr.. Coble.
"Vehling was told that was too
high and he said it would take
several hundred dollars to have the
bodies turned over to another fu-
neral director"
Mrs. Arnold said when she and
other relatives suggested they might
obtain lawyer to fight their battle,
she testified Vehling told her:
I'm the law in Marion county
and what I say goes. I'll change
the verdict"
Two Verdicts Possible
Although Mrs. Arnold testified
Vehling did not set out how he
might alter the verdict, only two
were possible, it is said. One was
accidental death and the other
suicide. Under suicide, double in
demnity would not be paid on in
surance policies held by the victims.
On cross-examination by Eph In
man and Thomas MCGEE. defense
attorneys, Mrs. Arnold said she had
read in newspapers the day of the
deaths that police stated Vehling
returned accidental death verdicts.
Asked if she believed Vehling sup
piled good caskets and good
burial" Mrs. Arnold replied: Il
did not"
When asked if Floyd Mattice,
chief deputy prosecutor, had talked
to her about the case, she said
George Sheehan, a defense attorney,
had talked with her.
Sheehan Actions Probed
Sheehan, it has been reported to
court officials, had questioned sew
eral states witnesses after intro
ducing himself under false name.
The reports are being investigated.
Sheehan, who appeared openly in
the case Tuesday, now is under
indictment as suspect in New
York bond theft last fall.
Charles Ettinger, chief deputy
county clerk, testified that the YER
dict on Mr.. Coolies death was at
tested March 3 and filed May 49,
Verdict in Mrs. StickelS death was
sworn March 10 and Mr.. Coolies on
March 5, he testified.
In his opening statement, Mattice
rehearsed evidence the state intend
ed to introduce to prove the bride
solicitation charge.
Defense Claims Proof
MCGEE set out that verdict dates
to be produced would disprove the
charge that Vehling withheld ver-
diets until after the alleged bride
solicitation took place.
He said the defense will show
Herman Stickel, brother of Mr..
Stickel, had signed the order for
burial of the bodies for 81 300.
The courtroom was crowded today
as presentation of evidence was
started. Several relatives and
friends of Mr.. Stickel will testify.
The state may complete its case
Thursday.
Vehling, if convicted, can be sem
fenced to state prison for two to
fourteen years and fined a maxi
mum Of $4,000, or both.
Eph Tnman, i'll Tuesday, was at
the defense counsel table today.
The jury selection was completed
with rapidity heretofore unheard of
in criminal court. The state had
accepted tentatively the jury before
the close of the Tuesday forenoon
session and both sides had given
final approval shortly after 4 p. m.
Members of the panel are:
Hamilton N. Leonard, farmer,
Franklin township; William A.
Umphrey, investment securities
salesman, 4531 North Meridian
street; Andrew j. Van Sickle,
farmer, Warren township; Frank
w. Sergeant, Citizens Gas Company
eInploye, 4zz0 RookWOod avenue;
Harry G. Sohn, carpenter, 954 Her
vey street; Elmer A. Raeburn, of
near Southport; Clay w. Loves,
farmer, Acton; Clarence o. Lauter-
bur, railroad employee, r. R. 9, Box
498; Frank G. Smell, salesman, 1917
Wallace street; Harry G. Temple
ton, realtor, 6216 Park avenue; WAL
ter WachStetter, contractor, Post
road and Twelfth street, and James
S. Talbert, truck gardener, 6243
Park avenue.
In addition to the trial involving
Vehling, impeachment proceedings
are pending in circuit court. This
case probably will be tried shortly
after disposal Of the criminal court
count.