The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-05-12
j. s. TO DEMAND
DEATH PENALTY
FOR ROBINSON
Stoll kidnapping Suspect at
Louisville After Plane
Trip From West.
INSANITY PLEA LIKELY
Early Trial Is Probable:
Still Had S236O Ransom
Money, Is Claim.
By United Press

~ bHHfh fffSS
LOUISVILLE. KY, May II.
Thomas H. Robinson Jr.,
kidnaper of Mrs. Alice Speed
Stoll, Louisville society wom-
an, stepped from a big TWA-
Douglass plane today into the
hands Of Omen who have
been securing the country for
him for 10 months.
The plane arrived here from
Glendale, Cal. where Robinson was
captured last night, and after a five
minute wait the kidnaper and his
escort of four Department of Justice
agents stepped out.
AS Robinson hurried down the
lane formed by G-men and pho
tographers, he lowered his Sinking
face. A crowd of 200 had gath
cred at the airport G-men said
Robinson would be taken directly 10
the bureau headquarters for lengthy
questioning.
Death Penalty Sought
The death penalty will be dc.
maded for Robinson. United States
District Attorney Bunk Gardner an
nounced today.
Mr.. Gardner was to confer with
Federal Judge Elwood Hamilton TO.
day. He said he would ask for Rob-
inson's trial at the earliest possibls
date" but that it might De the mid
ole of June before the trial could
start.
The arrest of Robinson. whose
female representations have kept
him step ahead of the law for a
year and q, half, followed closely
that Of Alvin Karpis. Harry Camp
bell and William H. Mahan. another
kidnaper. All have been taken since
May by Federal agents.
Ready for Insanity Plea
Gardner refused to comment fur
Their on his decision to ask the death
penalty. Robinson is under indict-
ment for violation of the Lindbergh
law, which specifies death for kid
naping If the victim is harmed. A
Kentucky law provides death for
kidnapping whether or not the victim
is harmed
Gardner said he was fairly cef-
tain" Robinson would plead in
sanity
Don't worry, we'll be prepared to
take care of that" he said.
Mrs. Stoll, wife of Berry v. Stoll.
Louisville oil man, was taken from
her home here in October. 1884.
after being slugged with a piece OF
pipe. She was released six DAYS
later after her husband had paid
$4,000 ransom.
May Be Arraigned Today
Robinson probably will be ar.
raigned before Judge Hamilton late
today or tomorrow. Gardner asked
that he be held without bond.
"A Tennessee lawyer, gifted with a
sharp mind, a former asylum in
mate, Robinson gave the G-men
their hardest assignment in their
drive on kidnapers. But. like all the
others, he slipped-and even his skill
as a female impersonstor did not
avail in staving of the conse.
quences.
Two weeks ago. q styiishly dressed
young woman entered a Glendale
drug store, seated herself at tbs
soda fountain, and asked for orange
juice. There was nothing about her
that was not soft and feminine and
disarming-except one thing. That
was her voice The soda jerker
knew it was the voice of man. He
telephoned police Police notified
Omen.
$3.50 in Ransom Money Left
Last night. G-men surrounded .
Glendale Hotel. A squad of them
walked in, pounded on a door.
seized Robinson. He was armed with
80 caliber pistol. but so quick
we're his captors he had no cf1ance
to use it.
Robinson had s4560-s236o from
the $4,000 ransom paid by Stoll. He
had lived in Glendale for two
months under the name of John
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