The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1935-11-30
Detroit N. A. A: c. p,
Activities
Continued IRON Page .
legal Redress Committee
Of Detroit N. A. A. c. p.
Handles Many c ase

socent OF the charge. We employ
~ Messrs LOOMS. Jones. Piper.
and Golden To defend Kirk and
with the assistance OF Atty. Golden
OF Battle Creek. who contributed
his services. a strong case was
built up and presented for the de-
Tense but the jury decided that
Kirk was guilty and so found with
the recommendation OF life i'm
prisonment. We are confident that
had the Association not inter-
ceded. Kirk would have been SEN
fenced TO death. and though we
lost an acquittal. we saved a life.
Next in Importance was the case
Fl Frank Massle. who was killed
BY Patrolman Wilson of High
land Park. Michigan. Police Depart
2ent. Massie who was travelling
Evangelist. became temporarily
semented. He went to Highland
Park and wandered around for
some time. lie then stopped on n
corner and disrobed himself laid
hia clothing and brief case on the
SIDEWALK and proceeded down the
street praying and waving his
hands His nudeness attracted the
attention of a couple OF boys on
their way from school. who fol
lowed him and called for the police
10 come because a crazy man was
wandering around the streets Be
fore the scout car could connect
with Massie. he had entered an al
ley, and went into yard and on
to the back porch where a colored
boy about five years old was play
ing. AS the Policemen arrived.
Massie took the boy by the hand
and entered The rear door. the
policeman followed and il sup
posed 10 have ordered Massie 10
halt and drop the child. whom
they claim Massie was attempting
10 harm. but Massie continued TO-
ward the front door and when he
reached the front porch he drop
ped the child and stumbled down
the front steps and turned TO go to-
ward the side of the house. when
Patrolman Wilson shot him in the
back and Massie fell at the edge
OF the steps. He died in the Hos
pital without making any intelli-
gent statement. The Prosecutors
office after taking statements were
inclined to exonorate the officer
but the Association demanded
Coroners Inquest which was grant
I'd. The Jury after considerable
time debating. and once disagree
ng. after which they were charg-
ID a second time by Coroner
finally voted five to one
or acquittal. The Association. stu q
me opinion that Massie was de-
beratiy murdered. joined with a II
ommittee OF Highland Park citi- c
ems and placed the case In the \
ands OF Atty Bledsoe TO seek TO a
landamus the Prosecutor to issue L
warrant for the arrest OF Patrol v
ian Wilson. The case is still pend &
az In the Circuit Court. II
The next case. somewhat similar Il
0 the case above Is that OF Mr.. I
iibson who was shot and killed l
" n Detroit Officer at Eight Mile
Dad and Woodward avenue Glib
on is said 10 have been speeding
nut Woodward avenue and when
by the officer and order
"a 10 the curb. he was covered by
he officer with his gun and told
10 yet out OF the ear As Gibson
" as getting out VI the car he
reached for "a bottle he had in his
pocket 10 throw Il back in the car.
when The officer shot him claim
ing he thought II was gun lie
also Shot "A woman companion of
Gibson As usual. the Prosecutor
was reluctant about ordering a
Cororners Inquest hut the Asso-
citation insisted II was ordered.
but IA usual. the Jury acquitted
the officer Attorney Dent advised
the Association that he could takef
steps to bring the policeman TO
trial The case was left to him TO
handle and Is still pending.
The next case of Importance II
one that follows along the line OF
the circumstances OF the famous
Sweet case which was SO success
fully handled by this Association
some years ago. Elisha Owens
purchased a home AT 1851 Merrick
avenue In a white neighborhOod.
After he moved into the house the
neighbors got together and decid-
ed that he should not live among
and they began TO try TO brighten
him away by throwing stones at
the house at night and during the
early morning hours He went To
the precinct in thst district and
made his complaint TO the police
but they were apparently not con
cerned as the throwing of stones
continued. Mr.. Owens put up with
being molested as long as he could
and decided to act. He placed him
self on guard and one morning
saw his neighbor throw at the
house and he warned him. where
upon the neighbor made a move
toward Is hip pocket, as he did 80
Mr. Owens shot him. Mr.. Owens
was arrested and charged with the
shooting Before the case came to
the Association. a committee OF
citizens retained Attorney Chas.
Mahoney to defend Mr--0wens
The was tried before a jury In Re
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