Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-07-14
u. 5, TO Investigate Charges
of Mckay Jury Tdmpering
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day after il had listened to nine
weeks of testimony and had de-
liberated a total of 81 hours and
IS minutes. A miStrial was de-
clared by Judge Lederie.
RumorS and charges Of jury
tampering Immediately began 10
circulate.
BASED ON SUSPICION
Lehr said:
while statements Of certain
jurors indicate they are based
ON suspicion rather than on
definite knowledge, yet In view
OF the widespread publicity
given by the metropolitan press
To such statements, L shall make
an immediate, thorough. and en-
tireiy impartial investigation of
the sO-caIIed charges TO deter
mine either their truth Of their
falsity."
ODonnell said his part OF the
investigation is already under way
and that he is interviewing the
jurors. He would reveal no
further plans.
COUNTER CHARGES
Meanwhile, charges made by
Juror Anton Maslan. a waiter OF
1891 Provost avenue, that sew
eral members of the jury who
voted for acquittsl were promised
political job increased in scope.
Mrs. Anna Belle Benjamin,
housewife, OF 209 North Sycamore
avenue. Lansing. who voted for
acqulttal. made counter charges
against jurors who voted for con-
viction and promised 10 tell
plenty" when the investigation
begins.
There WAS no irreguiarity as
far a. the five who veted for ac-
quiital were concerned; IL there
WAS any. IL was all on the other
side" Mrs. Benjamin said. I'VE
were intimidated plenty by those
other seven. One Of them told
me IL didn't vote to convict
Mckay that my husband would
lose his Job.
II wasn't worried because my
husband doesn't work for the
state. MRS. Benjamin's husband.
Percy w, has been clerk of
Lansing Municipal Court for the
last 20 years.. voted the way
L believed was right and | knew
what was right the minute got
in the jurXrOom.
Furthermore, didn't know
how the others were going To
vote. 1 was the last of the five
voting for acquittal to cast my
ballot.
BLAMES MASI.AN
"Nhen this investigation gets
under way I will tell who tried
To get me to vote the other way.
I will have pienty Ia say when
the time comes. The man who
started all the trouble was
that Tony Maslan."
Mrs. Benjamin was photo
eraphed outside the courtroom
after the Jury was discharged as
she shook hands with Mrs. Frank
Mckay. She denied any ac-
with the family.
ON the other side Of the qUes-
ton. George =. Campbell OF 2347
Jefferson avenue. Trenton. who
voted for conviction. said:
II voted for conviction. but
am not saying a word until the
proper time comes"
FOREMAN BACKS CHARGES
Fred 3 Barnhart. jury foreman.
VI 1885 Ward avenue. backed up
charges following dis
nissal Of the Jury.
"MaSlan was in i'll health dur
Ing the trial. hut he Is an hon
est. sincere fellow with a good.
sound head on him. will stand
back Of every charge he made.
My hands are clean as far as
the conduct Of that jury was
concerned, hut I can tell some
funny stories 81 what went on
during the trial II ever have to-"
Charles -. Tyley Of 35033 Main
street. Wayne. who voted for ac-
Iuittal. today charged sour
,rapes" as the reason for Mas 1
ans outburStS:
That's all one mans talk.
There il nothing 10 IL. He II
Just sore. / could never have
voted for conviction because
there was not sufficient evidence
that any one had been beaten
out Of any money.
"I'll admit that those pay
ments Of $500 and $500 which
were brought ont in the trial
probably were paid. hut I believe
they were just party campaign
contributions and that there was
no attempt to deceive anybody"