The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-11-19
REAL ESTATE
FRAUD CASE
IS GIVEN JURY
MorningSide Lot Promoters
Complete Defense in
Federal Court.
WIDOWS TELL STORIES
Three Men Are Accused of
Using Mails to Cheat
Scores of Investors.

The Indiana Estates alleged lot
sales racket case was in the hands
of a federal court jury this after
noon, while three defendants,
charged with using the mails to de-
fraud purchasers of thousands of
dollars, awaited verdicts.
The case of the Indiana Estates
Company and its principals went to
the jury shortly after noon, follow
ing instructions by Judge Robert c.
Baltzell.
Terminating two-day trial, at
torneys for the defense pleaded with
the jury that the trio on trial never
promised enormous returns and
quick releases to hundreds of pros
poets for the ballyhoo that sur
rounded the promotion of Morning
side addition.
Many Victims Tell Stories
The defendants are William Do
zier, 24-year-old president of the
company; Mel j. OKeefe, his part
ner, and James F. Huteson, alleged
financial angel of the organiza-
ton.
Defense of Dozier and O'Keefe
were ended Friday night, and final
defense evidence in behalf of Hute-
son was presented this morning.
Alex CavinS, assistant district
attorney, told the jury, in final ar
guments, that "Huteson long has
been an operator of fraudulent
schemes" asserting q similar bust
ness of the defendant was blocked in
Toronto.
Cavins also retold many stories of
alleged victims, including elderly
widows who said they had been
luncheon and lecture guests before
some of them dropped life savings
into the real estate proposal.
Resale Promises Denied
Defense attorneys reiterated the
defendants testimony that they had
warned statesmen. not to intimate
quick resale for lots.
Dozier said statesmen of the COM
pany often put him on the spot"
by bringing difficult prospects into
his Office to get him to support the
saleSmen'S promises.
He admitted saying the property
was worth the price asked, and
probably would increase in value
soon and could be resold at a profit.
He added that this remark prob
ably was interpreted by the custom
ers as a. promise of resale.
The youthful president, who said
he now is law student at st. Paul,
worked for Huteson in Toronto be-
fore coming here. He said he met
Huteson in Buffalo in 1929, where
they worked for an associate of
Huteson, Lloyd Arnold, also en-
gagged in the lecture luncheon lot
sales system.
Tells of Buffalo Deal
He admitted learning that Hute-
son had been restrained legally
from continuing operations in To-
ronto, and said that after leaving
here, he, Dozier, and O'Keefe went
to Buffalo and operated there along
the same lines here until "detri-
mentally publicized" in 1881 by the
Buffalo Better Business Bureau.
Huteson provided finances for the
Buffalo venture also, he said.
Dozier said he patterned his lee
ture given to prospects after one
given by Huteson, and added that
the creed he read and which helped
to win over many prospects had
been given to him by Huteson.
O'Keefe related in detail his in
veStigation of various subdivisions
here, and decision to contract with
owners Of the Morningside addition
for the right to sell lots there.
He said at least two statesmen had
been discharged for making resale
promises.