The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-19
MASSIE FIRM
IN DENIAL OF
PLOT TO KILL
CIingS to Story of Mental
Blank as State Pounds
at Testimony.
BY DAN CAMPBELL
United Press STAFF Correspondent


HONOLULU, April ia puzzled
jury Of varied races looked to Lieu
tenant Thomas H. Massies three
oo-defendants in the honor Staying
Of a young Hawaiian today for a
solution to the deepening mystery
Of Joe Kahahawai's death.
Defiant after two days Of bitter
ross-examination, the wiry-haired
lieutenant left the stand mistaken
in this story that blankness shad-
owed his mind after Kahahawai
confessed participating in an at
tack on 20-year old Thalia Fortes-
cue Massie.
Confederation of Massie's testi-
mony was expected when Clarence
Darrow, shrewd director OF defense
maneuvers. announced one or pos
sibly two Of the remaining defend
ants would testify.
Albert o. Jones, veteran navy en-
listed man, who with his buddy,
Edward J. Lord, was nearby when
Kahahawai met violent death, was
considered the most likely witness.
Mrs. Grace Hubbard Fortescue, the
lieutenant's mother-in-laW may tes-
tify as the only witness, but her
distraught nerves possibly will pre-
vent.
Asserts Brain Snapped
Massies vivid description Of how
his tortured brain snapped under
the strain Of a three months ordeal
remained the highlight Of the trial
as Darrow began summoning
minor witnesses.
Ponderously, Prosecutor John G.
Kelley pounded at Massie's testi-
mony in an attempt to trip him.
Always a closed signal met the
prosecutor as he approached the
subject Of Massie's "blackout."
over and over, he repeated the
story-how he wanted a confession
OF the attack from Kahahawai to
quiet unkind rumors about Mrs.
Massie, and so spirited the native
TO Mrs. Fortescue's cottage; how he
held gun to brighten" Kahaha-
wal, who at last said, yes, we
done it,"
II don't know what happened
next, Massie insisted. The next
thing I knew, policemen in uni
forms were taking me TO the sta
ton. Wahahawai, they told me,
was dead
Recalls Dark Hours
Before that, he shudderingly re-
called the dark hours of his life's
tragedy, beginning last September
when his wife fell victim to a gang
of five native hoodlums. She was
broken in mind and body by the
mistreatment, he said, and melt
ing pot jury refused to convict the
attackers she named
She told me that she begged
Kahahawai for mercy and he broke
her jaw, laughing as he. did it," re-
peated Massie, drawing a handker-
chief over his furrowed brow.
you planned to kill him, didn't
you?" shouted the prosecutor.
mo, Mr.. Kelley"
He remembered nothing, he con-
tinued, of how KahahaWai's body,
wrapped in sheet, came to be in
an automobile speeding with Mrs
Fortescue, Lord and Massie toward
Koko Head geyser.
DR.. Paul Wilmington, who attend
cd Mrs. Massie after the attack,
testified her husband visibly lost
weight and was near collapse.
Major Gordon Ross, high sheriff
of Oahu, said Massie told him Ka-
hahawai was ready to crack" and
asked the officer to question him.
Attorney in Confirmation
Attorney Eugene H. Beebe veri-
fed the navy officers statement
that he was advised a confession
IRON one of the attackers was the
only means of silencing the ugly
rumors.
Leo Artman. navy chief quarter
master, who wore many gold arm
stripes. was the last defense wS-
ness Monday. He attacked Kelley's
claim that the Staying was pre-
meditated by testifying a piece OF
rope found around the natives
neck was obtained by Massie a
month before the native died.
Jones smilingly passed a note to
the United Press. 1t read:
Those gold hash marks mean
twelve years OF service without
black mark on his (Artman's) rec
ord, and believe me, you have to
earn them in this mans navy"