The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-06
INSANITY MAY
Be PLEA OF
$40 SLAYERS
Temporary Derangement Is
Hinted as Defense in
Pastors Death.
ROE CLAIMS INNOCENCE
Slain Man Unbalanced,
Says Wabash Doctor;
Widows Plans Unknown.

Possibility that defense Of in
sanity or temporary mental derange-
ment, brought on by emotional
stress, may be made on behalf of
defendants in the sordid $40 murder
of the Rev. Gaylord V. Saunders,
was seen by officials today.
Hint that such a defense may be
presented was given by friends Of
Theodore Mathers, embalming
student. and roommate on the slain
man, charged with firing the shot
that killed the former pastor, and
Masil Roe, business college student,
who admitted driving the death car.
MrN Saunders, student at an en-
balming school here since last Sep
TENDER, and who preached his last
sermon at the Wabash Street NJ. E.
church in Wabash on Jan. %, was
found shot to death in his car at
Fortieth and Meridian streets early
Friday morning.
Purported confessions by the
widow, Roe and Mathers, blamed
the tragedy on fear that Mr..
Saunders might carry out alleged
threats to kill his family.
Unnatural Attachments Hinted
The alleged confessions and con-
versations between police and the
defendants limited at an amazingly
sordid chapter of unnatural at
tachments and resultant jealousy.
Friends of Mathers said he had
been i'll for more than a year and
had been moroSe. They said he
shot himself in the ribs last August
with a .22-caliber rifle. the bullet
plancing on a rib and inf1lctlng
only a superficial wound, and that
there was question at the time II
the incident was accidental
Peculiar actions on the part OF
Roe were cited by his friends. At
torney Harry L. Fisher, Brazil, who
has been retained as Roe's attorney,
indicated a not guilty plea.
Merle N. A. Walker, who with
Victor r. Jose Jr., has been re-
tanned for Mrs. Saunders, accused OF
plotting the murder. declined TO
comment on possible line of defense.
Tried Suicide Twice
at don'5 believe in trying such
cases in the newspapers, and think
there probably has been too much
publicity about the case already,
Mr.. Walker said. He added that
thus far. he and Mr.. Jose had con-
fined their efforts to taking care OF
civil matters for Mrs. Saunders and
had not had time to consider the
criminal charge procedure.
information that Mr.. Saunders
twice had attempted to commit sui
eide in the last year and that he
had been suspected of insanity, has
been received by police.
DR.. L. B. Rhamy, a reputable
physician in Wabash, said that on
the night of Jan. 10, Mr.. Saunders
attempted to commit suicide by
holding his head under the water
while bathing, and fought strenu-
ouslv when Mrs. Saunders and Mrs.
Mabel Bake, also held in. connec-
ton with the murder plot, rescued
him.
The physician is reported to have
said Mrs. Saunders, in telling him
of the incident. talked of killing Mr..
Saunders. either by poisoning or
shooting him, but that he sought to
6iSsuade her.
The next day, according to the
physician, he began insanity pro-
ceedings. and offered Mr.. Saunders
the alternative of going to a private
sanatorium in indianapolis, or being
locked up by the sheriff.
$4,000 Insurance PrObed
A Wabash pastor, Mrs. Saunders
and Mr.. Saunders brother. the Rev.
Eldridge Saunders. Uniondale, were
present. it was said, but when Mr..
Saunders objected, Mrs. Saunders,
and then the brother, weakened.
because of publicity which would
attend a sanity inquest.
Friends of the Saunders in Wa
bash said Mr.. Saunders had insgr-
ance policies totaling about $4,000,
and this angle is being given atten-
tiion by police in their .nvestiga-
ton.
Detectives yesterday determined.
from conversations with Roe ana
NIatherS, that the Staying early Fri
day took place probably near the
canal on Central avenue or Wash
ington boulevard.
DR.. John E. Wyttenbach, deputy
coroner, today said that although
specimens Of various organs of Mr..
Saunders body have been taken and
proposed cremation delayed, no tests
have been made. He denied reports
that important information had
been obtained from tests.