Stephenson Loses in Three Motions

From The Indianapolis News, Saturday, December 12, 1925:  D. C. Stephenson, former Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon now serving a life sentence in Indiana State Prison for the murder of Madge Oberholtzer, appeared in circuit court at Noblesville today where his attorneys filed motions asking his conviction of second degree murder be vacated and a new trial be granted.  After hearing defense arguments from attorney Floyd Christian, Special Judge Will Sparks overruled the motions as Stephenson, his hair cropped short prison style and attired in an ill-fitting dark gray prison suit, seated at a table in front of the courtroom, puffed out his ruddy hued cheeks, blowing through his lips, as he shook his head.  When court adjourned, prison guards escorted Stephenson to an awaiting automobile for this return to prison.  An appeal to the Indiana Supreme Court is anticipated.  

“Stephenson Loses in Three Motions,” The Indianapolis News, 12 December 1925, p. 1:1 

City Overrun with 'Sheiks', Remy Told

From The Indianapolis Times, Wednesday, December 9, 1925:  Answering assertations made by six women that young men – “shieks” – in autos and on downtown corners are annoying women and girls and nothing is being done, Prosecutor William Remy said politics in the police department is responsible for “sheiking” because Indianapolis police are told whom to arrest and not to arrest.  Police officials responded, saying women mostly are to blame for the boldness of the “shieks” because of present fashions with low necks and high skirts, together with encouragement offered by women.  Mayor Lew Shank challenged Remy or anyone to prove the police chief has been impeded in enforcing the law, pointing out that Indianapolis is low in crime compared with other large cities and that two young men of respectable north side families were arrested for annoying telephone operators leaving work.    

“City Overrun with ‘Sheiks’, Remy Told,” The Indianapolis Times, 8 December 1925, p. 1:2

“Romeos Just Little Faster, Says Shank,” The Indianapolis Times, 9 December 1925, p. 1:6

Court Makes Homes Safer from Search

From The Indianapolis Times, Tuesday, December 1, 1925:  Marion County Criminal Court Judge James A. Collins ruled today that search warrants must be issued only on facts.  In his ruling, Judge Collins said an officer, in order to obtain a search warrant, must not merely state that the law is being violated, but must provide facts to the court from which the judge issuing the warrant may determine the existence of probable cause.  The opinion was given quashing an affidavit for a search warrant issued by Wayne Township Justice of the Peace Henry Spiher in the case of Ed Thomas who was charged with violating the prohibition law.  Judge Collins also held that a search warrant legally issued by a justice of the peace is effective in any part of the county not just confined to the justice’s own township.

“Court Makes Homes Safer from Search,” The Indianapolis Times, 1 December 1925, p. 1:7