Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 May 1917 — PAYNE ACQUITTED OF THEFT [ARTICLE]

PAYNE ACQUITTED OF THEFT

Of J. C. Gwin’s Automobile by Circuit Court Jury Monday. Lewis Payne, who was arrested in connection with Scott Chestnut for the theft of J. C. Gwin’s auto recently, was acquitted by a jury in the circuit court Monday afternoon. His defense was that he had no intimation that the car was a stolen one and that he had merely gone along with Chestnut on the trip at his invitation and had no part whatever in taking the car. At the request of the state Payne was held under S2OO bonds to appear as a witness for the state in Chestnut’s trial when it comes up in the Newton circuit court, to which he took a change of venue. New affidavits were filed the last of the week "against Chesnut and Payne, charging burglary and grand larceny, where the old affidavits charged only burglary. The state’s witnesses endorsed on the back of the affidavits are: J. C. Gwin, J. I. Gwin, John Robinson, Charles Grow, Jim Johnson, Jim Rhoades, Dan Bordwell, Allen White, Al Knovinsky, Amos H. Alter, Bruce White and Van M,. Wood. John A. Dunlap was appointed, by the court to defend Chesnut, who did not have money to employ counsel.

Other proceedings in court follow: Randolph Wright ditch. Commissioner granted to second day of September term to file report. William Large ditch. Commissioner granted to first day of September term to file report. Barkley township ditch. Commissioner granted to second day of September term to file report. Milt Roth ditch. Commissioner granted to second day of, September term to file report. » ' M. V. Brown vs. G. H. Hammerton, trustee Union township—defendant files demurrer to answer. Complaint overruled and exceptions. Defendant files answer. Cause reset for hearing on the fourth Wednesday. John G. Reidelbach, administrator of the estate of Edward E. Nichols, deceased, vs. Guy Beason. Judgment on default for $85.61. Charles A: Jones vs. Ransom N. Edwards. Continued to fourth Friday.