Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 261, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 October 1912 — MICHAEL WAS GUILTY; FINE PLACED AT $300 [ARTICLE]

MICHAEL WAS GUILTY; FINE PLACED AT $3 00

Jordan Township Fanner Given Hpavy Fine by Newton County Jury tor Assault and Battery. William P. Michael, of Jordan township, who was charged with assault and battery with intent to commit rape, the prosecuting witness being his sister-in-law, Mrs. Harry Cook was found guilty of assault at Kentland Wednesday afternoon and the jury after deliberating for about 25 minutes assessed a fine of S3OO. Attorney Moses Leopold prosecuted him in the name of the state, while W. H. Parkinson, of Rensselaer, and William Darroch, of Kentland, defended him. The specific §.ct of attempted rape was not sustained by the jury, but several reputable men of Michael’s neighborhood testified that his reputation for morality was bad and this doubtless influenced the jury in making the fine as heavy as it was. Including the costs, which Michael fell for, it is probable that his indiscretion will cost him about SSOO, which he is reported to have paid.