Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 284, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 December 1917 — French Case Will Go To Jury On Tuesday [ARTICLE]

French Case Will Go To Jury On Tuesday

Monticello, Ind., Dec. 16. The White county circuit court will resume hearings tomorrow morning in the case of the state against Edward French for the murder of Ray Elston after adjournment since Friday. Only one witness, John W. Rodgers, of Brookston, remains to be examined, he being too ill to appear in court on Friday before the adjournment. French concluded his testimony in his own behalf on Friday. He told of the killing of Elston in self defense. He told how he had ordered Perry Cuppy, William Smallwood and Ray Elston out of the establishment, and how after Cuppy and Smallwood had gone out Elston had < said he wanted to talk to him. Elston then told French that he wanted to marry his daughter, Anna. French told him she was too young and that, he was drunk. Elston refused to leave and continued to talk until finally, grabbing a hatchet and attacking him, according to French, thus making the killing necessary, and an act of self defense. The state did not cross examine French. It is thought that the lawyers will finish their argument so that the jury will get the case on Tuesday.