Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1950-11-24

oCoASdL I'LL OuSlOuI Vic Vi Ldl,
t sign of emotion.
The jury's verdict was signed
by Earl Van Rensselaer,, foreman,
Of r. F. D. No. 3, Port Clinton
and was confirmed after defense
counsel asked that the jury be
polled.
Tuesdays proceedings were
highligted by legal battle be-
tween Prosecutor Myron A. Ros-
entreter and Mr.. Meyer, council
for the defense.
Prosecutor Rosentreter present
ed the states arguments in a 30
minute summation after the ses-
sion began Tuesday. He was fol-
lowed by Attorney Meyer for the
defense who pleaded on Farmers
behalf for one hour, As minutes.
Judge Stahl's charge to the jury
was given after a Commute re-
buttal by the prosecution.
Prosecutor Rosentreter, in his
rebuttal remarks, pointed out to
the jury that Farmer had not
taken the stand in his own de-
fense.
"If he is innocent" the prose-
cutor asked why didn't Dick
Farmer take the stand? Helen
Mobiles lips are sealed. He tFar-
mer) is the only one living who
knows the true story. If you and
we're charged with this crime
we would want to proclaim our
innocence to the world. Why
didn't he take the stand?
Prosecutor Rosentreter also
charged the defense with talk
ing at length about irrelevant
matters to confuse and cloud the
issues"
Emphasis was placed by the state
upon testimony during the trial
of repeated quarrels between
Farmer and Mrs. Noble, OF the de-
fendant repeatedly tossing a bil-
let to Mrs. Noble during the course
of an evening of drinking at the
v. w. bar the night of the crime
with the remark this is for YOU
of Farmers jealousy, and of ear
lier threat on the life of Mrs.
Noble by the defendant.
The defense spent considerable
time in reviewing testimony OF
state witnesses, contending that
the prosecution had not proved
the charge and that testimony
had not been satisfactorily corro-
borated.
"If there is the slightest degree
of doubt in your mind, it is your
duty to acquit," the jury was told
by Attorney Meyer. 'In the tes-
timony of all of the states wit
nesses there is a basis of doubt.
First witness called by the de-
fense attorney was Mrs. Margaret
Thompson, Erie Gardens, Farmers
oldest sister.
Excerpts from Mrs. Thompson S
testimony were as follows:
81 was with Helen Noble that
night, having met her at the Erie
Tavern. Later we went to the
Hamburg Shop, then a dance at
the Eagles and to the V. F. W.
| Club between 10 and 1920. | was
with Helen the entire evening, and
sat at the west end of the bar
"Dick came in after II with sew
eral other men, and sat down at a
table. / heard Dick and Helen
! talking, but heard no arguments
nor did l hear Helen argue.
"At no time did 1 see a bullet
tossed by either Dick o. Helen) at
the other. Dick left several times
but went back because Helen ask.
ed him to. Helen never said she
was afraid of Dick or that she was
afraid to stay alone in the apart
ment. Helen wanted Dick to have
a gun for his own protection. My
family had planned a birthday
/ party for Helen's mother"
Next witness called by the de-
fense was George Burnham, Mon
roe Street cab driver. Burnham
testified he had known Farmer for
20 years. He recalled an Incl
dent last April when he said Far.
mer went to the taxi stand and
asked to be taken to his brothers
home in East Third Street. Burn
ham testified Farmer had said he
had an argument and left.
Third defense witness called to
the stand was Mrs. Audrey Busche.
Fremont Road. another sister of
Mr.. Farmer. Mrs. BuSche test-
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