The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-01-15
WITT Boosted
OF SHOOTING,
WITNESS Says
Prisoner Voiced Wish That
Jackson Would Die,
Ayers Ex-LandIord.
DEFENSE is JARRED
Victims Son Expected to-
Give Testimony This
Afternoon.
By Times Special

LEBANON, Ind, Jan. 15.-Pre-
senting surprise witness. states
attorneys today offered strong sup
port to the charge that Charles YER
non Witt, former convict, was one of
the bandits involved in the robbery
murder of L. A. Jackson, Indian
apolis chain store chief.
Milo Stockberger of Indianapolis,
World war veteran, testified that
Witt had stayed at his home sew
eral days before the shooting.
He told the jury that Witt, ac-
companied by Louis E. Hamilton,
alleged trigger man." rushed into
his home few hours after Jack
son was shot and changed clothes.
i was reading an early edition
of an indianapolis paper which told
about the shooting" Stockinger de-
clared. witt looked over my Shout
der and said, We pulled that job.
Hamilton Was Bleeding
Hamilton was sitting out in the
car and was bleeding at the head
like he had been shot.
When I didn't say anything to
Witt, he looked at the paper again
and said, I hope the guy dies"
Stockberger said Witt, several
days before the shooting, had
jammed a revolver against his side
and demanded, What would you do
If this happened to your"
Stockberger told the jury he re-
piled: I'D do anything 1 was told"
During his testimony, Stock
berger told the court that Mrs.
Witt formerly was his wife and he
believed 1 am divorced from her,
but I'm not sure"
Just Stole the Woman
did Witt ever take or steal any,
thing of yours?" states attorneys
asked.
Nothing but that woman sitting
beside him there the witness an
swered.
Horace Eller, Indianapolis police
officer, and Detective Charles Bauer,
who was shot by the Standard
Grocery Company bandits, told of
attempting to trail the bandits
after the shooting, May 81, 1881
Eller said the car the bandits
used was found the following day
on west side street, with blood
marks on the body.
Edward Weist, son-in-law of the
slain grocer, said he was in the
warehouse of the company when the
shooting occurred, and he hurled
several tear gas bombs.
Son to Take Stand
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Healey sup
ported Stockbergers testimony that
Witt roomed at his home, asserting
that they had recommended that
Witt live with the Stockbergers.
Chester Jackson, son of the muir
dered grocery chief, was expected to
take the witness stand this after
noon to relate the story of the fatal
shooting.
Chester jackson was to testify
that he and other employees dropped
to the floor when the bandits
opened fire after their demands for
money were refused. He also was
to relate to the jury that his father
struggled to his feet and returned
the gunmen's fire at close range.
After the shooting, L. A. jackson
FELL mortally wounded, with three
bullet wounds in his body.
State to Close Next Week
The states case against Witt is
expected to be completed Monday
or early Tuesday, after adjournment
of court over the weekend. Witt,
If convicted on the charge of muir
der during preparation of a rob-
berry, will be sentenced to die in
the electric chair at the state
prison.
Hamilton, charged with firing the
fatal shots from his automatic pis-
toll. will be tried later before Judge
John w. Hornaday.
James B. Hoffman, auditor for the
Standard company twenty-eight
years, was the last states witness
Thursday.
-Four Of the shots were fired di.
rectly over my head he said
about twenty others we're fired
from all parts of the store. Chester
shouted, Don't shoot any more; I'll
open the safe and give you the
money
After the bandits fed I went Il
Mr., Jackson and he told me They
got me right here He had hi;
hand on his abdomen, apd hlood MOS