Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 124, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 May 1914 — WILLIS TRIAL NOT COMPLETED MONDAY [ARTICLE]

WILLIS TRIAL NOT COMPLETED MONDAY

Stewart Short Made Good Witness For State—Credibility of Witness Attacked. The trial of James L. Willis on the charge of perjury started al; Kentland Monday and is continuing over today. When Willlswas tried last October on the charge of rape he stated on the witness stand that he Ijad not left the corporation of Rensselaer while the Thompson girl was with him. "The girl had charged that he took her to the country, out “past the burying ground.” Later the Short boy, who lived west of town, told that he had seen Willis tha*fevening the assault was committed on the north and south road between the Henry Paulus property and thei county farm. Oh the strength oi this statement the perjury charge was filed. Willis was brought over from Springfield, Ohio, to answer the charge. On the witness stand Monday Short told his story in a straightforward manner. Attorney Parkinson for the defense tried to bring Short’s reputation into question and several witnesses were called today to show that the Short boy is reliable and truthful, which we believe he is considered by all who know him.