The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-01-08
BeSS Robbins, Judge Baker
Stage Verbal Battle
at Hearing.

Charges that officials we're at
tempting to railroad" Hilton U.
Crouch, alleged terror mobster, into
prison, were hurled today by Miss
Bess Robbins, attorney, in hear
ing before Criminal Judge Frank P.
Baker in chambers today.
Miss Robbins, charging unfair
ness, asked a change of judge.
Names of three attorneys, from
whom a special judge for the trial
will be selected, will be nominated
by Judge Baker.
Attending the session III the
courts chambers were Crouch, his
mother and sister, Miss Robbins, de-
tectives and newspaper men.
Miss Robbins protested order of
the court that she could not see
Crouch before tomorrow. When she
said, you people are trying to
railroad Crouch into prison without
me being able to see him. Judge
Baker replied:
Il know you are here, and so are
the newspaper men, and you want a
newspaper story, so let me tell you
something.
Charges Money Hidden
you came here, not as Crouchs
lawyer. You had never seen him or
his mother. You were employed from
Chicago. My own Interpretation of
the case is that he has money
planted somewhere and he wants to
get in touch with the people who
know where it is.
las far as your demands to see
your client are concerned, the plea
of not guilty already has been filed
and you know there is plenty of
time after trial date is set for an at
torney to see a client. This talk is
all camoufage. What you wanted
to talk to Crouch about was money"
Miss Robbins denied this vehe-
mently, and said:
why has the state been so ner-
vouS about my seeing him? Here
tofore you always have been fair to
me, but this time I think you are
showing prejudice. That's why I
am asking a change of judge"
Baker Disqualified Self
Judge Baker pointed out that he
has disqualified himself as trial
judge, and that the conversation
was leading nowhere. He added that
the special judge to be chosen is
the one to see about permission to
interview Crouch.
While the discussion was going on,
Crouch and his mother conversed,
Crouch asking about his bride, a
waitress in the Chicago restaurant
in which he bought an interest
shortly before his capture.
The mother said the wife was
trying to dispose of Crouch's interest
in the restaurant
What is she going to do with the
money-keep it?" questioned Crouch,
looking startled
Alleged Bargain" Denied
He was informed that she prob
ably wanted the money to aid in his
defense on charges of completely in
the $4,000 holdup several months
ago of the Massachusetts, Avenue
State bank.
Judge Baker and Miss Robbins
discussed newspaper accounts of an
by Prosecutor Herbert
Wilson of the purported bargain"
entered into between Mr.. Wilson
and Crouch, in which a twenty-year
sentence was reported to have been
accepted. Miss Robbins denied
Crouch would plead guilty or that
he had agreed to the bargain"
This is newspaper trial.
Crouch has been convicted already"
she said, displaying a newspaper
story Of Mr.. wilson's announcement.
DO you mean to insinuate Mr..
Wilson is a har?" asked Judge
Baker.
No, I am insinuating nothing"
she replied, but there has been a
lot of buck passing between Mr..
Wilson and Detective Chief Fred
Simon"
After the hearing, Judge Baker
said he had granted permission for
Miss Robbins TO see Crouch each
time she asked, and said that he
would see that she has plenty of
time to talk to him before the case
goes to trial.