The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1946-02-14
Co. Defendants
Included i'm
Verdict

Jackson. Mich. Feb. 14-AP-
Circuit Judge John Simpson today
directed verdict OF acquittal for
Frank d. Mckay and four code
PENDANTS in the liquor graft con-
spiracy trial.
Judge Simpson ruled that the
state had failed to prove the de-
PENDANTS did a single criminal
act"
The ruling ended the trial af.
ter five weeks. of which four were
taken up with testimony OF 80
state witnesses The defense did
not offer any witnesses, basing its
case entirely on the cross-exam-
ination OF prosecution witnesses.
Judge Simpsons ruling. bitter
ly opposed by special Prosecutor
Kim Sigler. freed Mckay, Grand
Rapids politician and former boss
OF the state Republican party;
William II. McKeighan, five-time
mayor OF Flint; Fisher L. Layton,
Flint politician. and Charles W.
Williams and his son, Earl, OF
Detroit. All but Mckay have been
Identified as former liquor agents.
The states case failed, Judge
Simpson said, because at the open
ing OF the trial charges OF bribery
we're dropped. No proof of brib-
cry was given during the trial by
any witness.
So ruled Judge Simpson. I'VE
have an information that charges
no criminal act on the part OF any
OF these defendants other than
the general charge that they con-
spired TO do the acts set out In the
information.
Now. what is IL the prosecu.
ton claims is criminal in this case?
Clearly Not illegal
First, that Mckay sent a Mr..
Woodbury., who later turned out
10 be McKeighan. TO the Hiram
Walker and Co. distillery.
Clearly, this Is not illegal.
Second. that the Walker peo.
pie made a contract with the Duo
agency that McKeighan represent
ed.
Clearly this Is not illegal. This
was but civil contract and per-
fectly legal.
Third, the prosecution claimed
that McKeighan said he had friend.
ly relations with the state admin
istration.
This was not illegal.
For the work the DUO com.
pany did for Walter, certain
commission was paid.
This was not illegal.
No onense
1T is no offense for a person to
call on the state liquor control
commission to try to gain increas-
ed sales and listings.
"Salesmanship isn't criminal or
Illegal. Nor is friendship Illegal"
The state had charged that the
defendants were paid $500 900 by
distillers who wanted larger orders
from the liquor commission. It
also charged they exercised con.
troll OF the liquor commission
through threats and intimidation.
Mckay Jubilsnt
Mckay, who was jublant at the
judges decision, said II regard
my acquittal more than vindi.
cation OF myself. 1t is a reflection
OF the judicial integrity and cour.
age OF Judge Simpson. II should
be reassuring to all people to
know that our courts still dispense
justice unhampered by the subtle
influences that were aligned
against me. hope this is the
end Of my political persecution
Mckay said that "the charge OF
bribery made against me illus
trates the danger inherent in the
so-called one-man grand Jury sy.
TEN after | had already been &C.
quilted by jury"
Only a few spectators were in
the courtroom when the Judge made
his announcement but they at once
crowded around the defendants,
ccngratulating them. Mrs. Mckay.
who had sat through most OF the
trial, came up and was warmly
kissed by her husband
Sigler. who left the court room
Immediately after the ruling. said
he had mo comment