The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-05-26
FARMER slain
IN ARGUMENT
OVER CROPS
PittSboro Man Killed by
Neighbor, Is Charge of
Police.
SELF-DEFENSE PLEA
Alleged Slayer Claims He
Was Forced to Shoot
Victim.
PLEA

Protesting that he had acted IN
self defense. Charles Van Deman,
New Augusta produce agent, was
charged with the murder of Thomas
Coffey. SO. Pittsboro farmer, found
slain today, in a pastoral setting.
Mr.. Coffey'S body. lying in a pool
of blood on the driveway leading to
the Van Deman farm, was found
early today by deputy sherifS. Mr..
Cohey died from a shotgun charge
in the left chest, according to the
coroner's investigation.
DR.. E. o. Asher, local physician,
was arrested when he attempted to
keep Van Deman from talking to
deputy sheriffS, following discovery
of the murder, according to author
tiles. The physician was charged
with interfering with officers in the
performance of their duty.
Van Deman Attempts Suicide
Van Deman attempted suicide by
SlaShing his wrists after the shoot
ing. according to the authorities. He
was arrested while he lay in bed.
In county Jail after his arrest,
Van Deman again attempted to cut
his wrists, with pieces of glass,
obtained by breaking his eye glasses.
The old wounds were reopened, and
he was taken to city hospital for
treatment.
It's too bad, boys. it's too bad
Van Deman repeated over and
over. as authorities attempted to
question him.
Mrs. Lou Van Deman, the farm
er's wife, could shed no light on
the shooting. She said she was in
another part of the house and
heard one shot fired. When she
looked out on the drive she saw
Mr.. Coffey's body lying there and
q few minutes later found her
husband in his bedroom bleeding
profuseIy from both wrists.
Local Physician Called
Mrs. Van Deman called DR.. E. o.
Asher, local physician, who pro-
nounced Mr.. Cofey dead of a gun
shot wound in the left chest and
gave first aid to Van Deman.
Deputy Sheriffs Edward KaSsen-
brock and Henry Cook ordered
Van Deman to dress, and prepared
to take him to police headquarters,
where they said he will be charged
with the shooting.
AS he dressed, Van Deman told
the deputy sheriffs, in a rambling
fashion, of the events leading up
to the murder. He said that he
was employed by the Van Camp
Packing Company of Indianapolis
to distribute tomato plants to
farmers living near the city.
Mr.. Cofey, he said. was one of
his customers. Early today Mr.. Cof-
fey came to the Van Deman farm in
a truck. He called Van Deman out
of the house and the two men
stood on the driveway. Mr.. Coffey,
according to the authorities, charged
that the tomato plants he had re-
ceived from Van Deman were mo
good"
Two Farmers Argue
At the height of the argument.
according to the story told police by
Van Deman, Mr.. Coffey is alleged
to have pulled a knife almost a
foot long" and threatened to stab
Ban Deman.
At this point, Van Deman, &C.
cording to the purported statement
made to police, ran into the house
and returned with a shotgun which
he fired at Mr. Coffey.
Police failed to find a knife on
MI. Coffey or near the body. The
shotgun alleged to have been
owned by Van Deman was found in
the farmhouse, with two shells dis
charged. Deputy sheriffs stated that
MI. Coffey was killed at short range.
DR.. Asher told authorities that
Van Deman had been committed
to a Sanitarium by him last year.