The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-01-18
WITT COUNSEL
fight READING
OF CONFESSION
Admission of Guilt Made
Under Third Degree,
Attorneys Say.
HEARING is DELAYED
Ira Holmes GriIIS SIeuthS,
Fails to SubStantiate
Brutality Charge.
BIZ Timea speciaI

LEBANON, Ind, Jan. 49,
Charges that Chrales Vernon Witt
on trial for the murder of l.. A
jackson, Indianapolis chain store
owner, was subjected to police bru-
tality and finally signed a purported
confession to save" himself from
further mistreatment, halted the
ex-convict's trial here today.
Ira M. Holmes, defense attorney
hurled the allegations in circuit
court, when the state attempted to
Introduce the alleged statement dur
ing testimony of Detective John
Marren.
When Marren prepared to identify
the purported statement, Holmes
\ protested, telling the court the de-
PENDANT not only was mistreated
but forced to undergo rigors OF
many hours of questioning.
Judge John w. Hornaday excused
the jury, the state halted presenta-
ton of evidence and Holmes was
called upon to prove the charges.
questioned on Brutality
At the close of the morning SEES
sion, Holmes had questioned Marren
and Detective George Mueller, but
had not supported his claims of
brutality. Holmes and Eliza o.
Rogers, of the defense, were to call
numerous other officers and news
paper men late today, in an effort
to support the allegations.
Holmes failed to bring out
through Marren's testimony that
the alleged confession was not VOL
untary.
However, from Mueller, it was re-
vealed that Witt, throughout the
questioning, told the detective,
George, if say anything, I'll spill
It to YOU"
Mueller said he obtained cigaretS
for the defendant and, as did Mar
rem, denied he had struck or abused
Witt during the quizzing.
Denies He Is Witt
Both detectives related Witt re-
fused to admit his identity for
some time, insisting his name was
Irwin. The officers said he contin-
ued his denials in the face of pho
tos of himself and fingerprintS.
Shortly after the defendant is
said to have admitted his identity,
Witt is alleged to have given Muel-
Ter the statement clearing himself
of firing the fatal shot, and naming
Louis E. Hamilton, who will be
tried later, as the trigger man."
Witt was arrested June 25, 1881,
and police issued his alleged state
ment June q. The murder was
committed in Jacksons central
Standard Grocery Company store,
May q, 1881.
Wits alleged admission of his
part in the crime stated that he met
Hamilton shortly before the rob-
berry attempt and that Hamilton
had given him the sawed-off shot
gun he is said to have carried when
he entered the store. He is said to
have admitted firing one charge.
Defendant to Testify
Action of Holmes is expected tc
result in Witt taking the stand in
his own defense, in an attempt tc
clinch the charge that he was
forced" to sign a statement.
Several police officers from In
dianapolis and Chief Mike Morrissey
were spectators in the damned
courtroom today.
Questioning of police and news
paper men may delay resumption Of
the trial before the jury until Tues
day, it was believed. Judge Johr
w. Hornaday will rule on admission
of the alleged confessions by the
state after Holmes efforts to prove
his charges.
Chester Jackson, son of the Slair
grocery chief, will be the state;
final witness. He stood beside his
father when the bandits shot the
aged grocer as he resisted theiI
robbery attempts,