Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 July 1911 — JUDGE HANLEY [ARTICLE]

JUDGE HANLEY

Refuses to Sit in Remaining - Gary “Election Riot” Cases. Another blow was handed Sheriff Thomas Grant and Attorneys Whinnery and Weinheimer, special prosecutors for the state in the Gary election cases late yesterday afternoon when it was learned that Judge

Charles W. Hanley of Rensselaer, who sat as special judge in the trial of Mayor Knotts; Chief of Police artin and the other Gary city officials charged with conspiring to murder Sheriff Grant, has absolutely refused to have anything further to_do with the hearing of any other cases that grew out of alleged Gary disturbances.

Upon looking over the records in the county court house at Valparaiso late yesterday afternoon it was discovered that Judge Hanley had written the fallowing at the bottom of the cases of the state against Chief of Police Martin charged with assaulting William Lacey, and Chief of Police Martin and Officer Joseph Kertez charged with assaulting John Upshaw: “I refuse to assume jurisdiction in this case.— G. W. Hanley, Special Judge.” It is understand that Judge Hanley become disgusted with the way the attorneys conducted the alleged prosecution of the Gary men and judging from the class of evidence introduced by the state in the preceding cases, ■has refused to sit as special judge in any more “farces” such as were the trials of Mayor Knotts and the other Gary men at Valparaiso.

These two cases are the last of the Gary election day farces arfd and it is now very probable, following the action of Judge Hanley in refusing to sit as special judge, that they will be cismissed. The taxpayers of the county do not seem to be inclined to have any additions jnade to the already heavy financial burden placed upon their shoulders by the trial of the Gary men in the Porter county court. These two cases are set for a hearing in the October term of the Porter circuit court at Valparaiso, but now that Special Judge Hanley has refused to have anything more to do with them, It is hardly possible that Sheriff Grant and the two special attorneys for the state will attempt to force any further expenses upon the taxpayers. —Gary Post.