The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-02-13
YELLING DEALT
SEVERE BLOW
BY OWN AID
Coroner Never Has Filed
Official Verdict, Says
Woman Clerk.
TRAPPED IN CROSS QUIZ
Trial on Bride Charge to Be
Resumed Monday in
Criminal Court.

Coroner Fred w. Vehling, on trial
in criminal court for alleged solicit
tation of bride, today stood
charged, by an employe of his office,
with never filing an official verdict
in coroner'S cases since he took Of
fee more than year ago.
The startling evidence was drawn
from Miss Minnie Sartor, clerk in
the coroner's office, by states at
torneys late Friday, as the case
neared the jury.
The trial was postponed until
Monday by Fred c. Cause, special
judge. Attorneys for Vehling still
are undecided whether he will take
the stand in his own behalf. After
arguments, the case is expected to
go to the jury late Monday.
Makes Amazing Admission
Cross examined by Floyd Mattice,
chief deputy prosecutor, Miss Sar-
tor admitted the document Vehling
is required to file with the county
clerk is not his official verdict, since
none has been signed by him.
She also admitted that what she
had termed the official verdict. on
direct examination, was only an
inquest slip" consisting of obSer-
vationS at the tragedy scene, noted
by a coroner or deputy.
Outlining the duties of the coroner
to Mattice, Miss Sartor testified the
verdict is the decision on the cause
of death at the time of death or
after the coroner has heard testi-
mor1y in the case.
Must the verdict be signed bv
the coroner " Mattice asked.
1t must be-" she replied.
a. Unaware of Law
Don't you know that the law
requires the coroner file his orig
inal verdict of every case with the
county clerk?" she was asked.
mo, I don't"
Were the original verdicts of
Mr.. and Mrs. Benjamin StickeI and
William Coble fled with the coun-
ty clerk?"
No, here they are"
She exhibited inquest slips"
rather than official verdicts.
Vehling is charged with having
solicited $3.50, an automobile, house,
hold furnishings and insurance
policies for funeral and burial of
the Stickels and Coble, who we're
killed in their home by fumes from
leaking gas heater a year ago.
1t is alleged that he threatened
to bar removal of the bodies from
his undertaking establishment un-
less he was paid $3.50. He also is
alleged to have threatened to
change the verdictS from accidental
deaths to suicides, which would
have blocked double indemnity
collection on insurance.
Never Signed Verdicts
When shown Official verdicts" in
the gas cases, Mis- Sartor said she
had signed them. She testified
Vehling never signed official YER
diets filed with the county clerk.
On direct testimony, Miss Sartor
said failure of Vehling to sign one
OF the Stickel case inquest slips
which she had termed an official
verdict, was just an oversight"
Mrs. Bertha D. Vehling, wife OF
the coroner, told the jury she heard
her husband tell relatives of the
Stickels they might remove the
bodies from his establishment if
they paid $3.50 for work he had
completed. States witnesses have
charged Vehling had no authority
to embalm the bodies.
Six character witnesses and sew
eral undertakerS testified Friday.
Prices Held Fair
The undertakes, questioned by
Eph Inman, defense attorney, about
prices Of funeral services and equip
ment as detailed from list, testi-
fed the prices quoted by Imam
were flair" for the burial of three
persons. provided the equipment
was furnished, as Inman stated.
None of the witnesses has testified
that the equipment, referred to by
Inman in his questioning, actually
was used by Vehling in the burial
of the StickaIS and COble
States witnesses asserted Veh-
ling's estimate was "too high" and
that they preferred cheaper burial
as the reason for seeking removal
of the bodies to another undertake