The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-05-13
TWO FREED BY
JUDGE IN TRIAL
OF RUM CASE
Government Rests in Plot
Hearing Of Anderson
Defendants.


verdict Of scquittal for Grant Law
son and John Owens.
Owens was an alleged bootleggor
and Lawson former rosdhouse
operator.
I can not see where Lawson or
ovens have been connected with
the conspiracy case" said Baltzell.
George r. Jeffrey, United States
district attorney, prosecuting the
case, asserted he would bring sepa-
rate suits against both men. De-
Tense attorneys moved rapidly for
directed verdicts for the other ten
defendants, but Baltzell overruled
all the other motions.
The case is expected 70 90 10 the
jury late today
Five Rest Cases
As the defense opened. ID vas an
nounced five Of the accused would
rest without presenting any testi-
mony. They are Albert Abel. Ora
Raines, Mrs. Edna Boyer. Earl Hoel
and Robert Clark.
Ralph Rich, ex-chief Of detectives.
testified today that he has taken
part in 300 or 400 raids" and that
he has obtained convictions in rs
per cent Of the cases.
He admitted drinking Occasion
ally" but asserted he never was
drunk while on the police force. but
admitted ne had been drunk while
in the army.
He denied he ever drank in Riggs
Office when Alvin Riggs, also on
trial, was police chief.
Louis Lavelle, police chauffeur.
testifying in his own behalf. said he
made deliveries Of a suitcase and a
package on orders of Riggs. He
asserted he did not know the con-
tents Of either He admitted 10
Baltzell however. that the package
might have contained q can Of
liquor
Hits Writers veracity
Regarding the package. Lavelle
said Riggs hold him Mayor J. II.
Mellett, under indictment, desired
II be delivered to George Otto.
Testifying in behalf Of Raymond T.
Ross Elmer Nighbert, a former /
police chief, said he had arrested I
Ross twice on liquor charges.
Harry Ray, policeman, attempted I
IN his testimony 10 refute charges of /
Norman Maraska, former police /
man, who testified for the govern Z
ment Thursday, that Ray drank at I
the Ross place, and said the repu- /
tation Of Maraska for truth and I
veracity was bad.
DR.. Fred f. Kimball who said I
that Ernest Newly, former police
man. was in his employ on farm.
testified Newly had asserted he |
would do all he could to convict |
Ross. Reputation Of Ross for telling
the truth is good. the witness said.
In his own defense, Ross asserted
he had not dealt in liquor since 1929.
but had been convicted twice pre-
vious to that year for dry law vio-
latlons.
Tells Of Booze Offer
Ross declared Maraska said TO
him in May. 1881:
I guess you are not dealing in
liquor any more"
The witness said he replied that
he vas not.
IF you ever feel disposed 10 do
10, buy your liquor from me" the
witness quoted Maraska. I can
sell to you for SIS a gallon and
will take care of you, and let YOU
know when raids are to be made"
Ross said Maraska approached him
again on the same topic. Ross then
related the negotiations to Riggs.
he asserted. He denied a statement
of government witnesses that he and
Mellett held a conference in an al
ley, or that he later said: 7 fixed
the old man.
First definite testimony linking
Mellett with the alleged conspiracy
was presented by the government
late Thursday. Mellett, i'll in bed,
following two paralytic strokes, will
not be tried until later.
Gifts Are Charged
Government witnesses told of re-
ceiving gifts Of alleged coniscated
alcohol from the mayor. and Of
sum OF money from an alleged boot 4
logger, defendant in the conspiracy
case.
George Otto. elderly harness shop
proprietor, testified that after the
election. Mellett told him that 'if
I wanted anything, 10 let him
know"
One day in the summer Of 1890"
Otto testified, "Lavelle came to my
harness shop and brought a sack /.
in which there was a gallon OF al
cohol
Christmas eve the mayor came /
to my shop and told me to go into /
the alley. I did, and Mrs. Mellett, I
his wife. handed me a half gallon
Of alcohol from the car.
Later. William A. Dietzen gov (
eminent witness who is i'll and Jun
able to attend the triaD brought an
other gallon of alcohol 10 my shop
and he said afterward he got It at
the police station
Fired Employe TestifieS
Albert Shook. who admitted being I
fred as a park board employe when I
he became intoxicated and swim (
ming pool receipts in his custody /
were stolen also listed Mellett with I
the charge. Shook said he made /
good the loss and was not prose- I
cuted. Defense attorneys have /
charged Shook with being a federal (
stool pigeon"
Last December he was employed I
as the mayors nurse and body T
guard, he testified. This was before (
the mayor suffered paralytic (
stroke.
Shook told the jury that in
January. 1880. the mayor told him
70 call Owens. alleged bootlegger 4
and defendant in the conspiracy
case. to the mayors home.