The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-10-29
FORMER JUDGE
DENIES MAKING
DILL|NCER DEAL
Another Court Sentenced
Desperado'S Aid, He
Declares.
Times Special

Times Special
MARTINSVILLE, Ind, Oct 90
In protest against Gov. McNutt' S
criticism of the original sentence
handed John Dillinger. J. w Will
liams, former Morgan Circuit judge,
today made public two letters to the
Governor.
Mr.. Williams, who sentenced Dill
linger, denied that he or Fred Stei-
ger, former Morgan County prose-
cutor, promised the Hoosier des-
perado a light sentence and then
broke the pledge.
Speaking in Atlanta, Ga, yeSter-
day, Gov. McNutt charged that Dill
linger became a criminal after he
was sentenced to a 10-to-20
term, which his alleged accomplice,
Edward Singleton, received only 2
to IA years.
Dillinger Pleaded Guilty
Mr.. Williams pointed out in his
correspondence that while he SEN
fenced Dillinger, who pleaded guilty,
that a special judge sentenced the
accomplice.
First exception was taken by Mr..
Williams after the Governor voiced
the criticism in speech at kokomo
March 81, 1884. Mr.. Williams quoted
the Governor as saying "Dllllnger
was tried before a Republican Judge
in Morgan County. The judge and
prosecutor took him out and told
him if he would tell certain things
they would let him off with a light
er sentence"
"'They didn't keep their word "
Mr.. Williams quoted the Governor
as saying, "'but gave him Lotto
21-year sentence, while they gave his
partner, man with criminal rec
ord, 2 to IA years and released nm
at the end of two years.
Denies Governors Charge
"'This made a criminal out OF
Dillinger'," Mr.. williams said In
further quoting the Governor.
In letter to the Governor, sent
soon after the speech, Mr.. Williams
said he denied the Governor charge
that a bargain had been made with
Dillinger, but that he was sentenced
on a plea of guilty upon suggestion
of Dillingers father, and was not
given a trial as stated by the Gov
ernor
Williams also denied that Dill
linger and Singleton were sentenced
in the same court, the latter having
taken his case to Franklin on a
change of venue and was sentenced
by Special Judge Fremont Miller.
Governors Reply.
In the Governors reply to Will
liams' letter, the latter quoted Gov.
McNutt as saying:
II did not mention you by name
in any instance in my speech at Ko-
komo; I stated the same judge who
sentenced Dillinger, had recon-
mended his parole; I said the same
court which sentenced Dillinger to
10 to Is years sentenced Singleton,
to term of 2 to ID years, and that
Dillinger had been told that if he
would plead guilty and confess the
crime, he would be given a light
sentence"
If you feel there has been some
confusion resulting from the word
court" I will be glad to place a
copy of this letter in the hands of
the press" Mr.. Williams declared
the letter said.
Wanted Direct Answer
Judge Williams said in replying
to the Governors letter, that he
was mot interested in prolonging
the inquiry, but to obtain a direct
answer to my first letter"
Mr.. Williams charged Gov. McNutt
had not sufficiently answered queries
regarding quotations in the Kokomo
speech. He said the second letter
never was answered.