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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1964 Verdict Anticipated in J.B. Martin CaseVerdict Anticipated !f: J. B. M.,arfin Case The J. Bryson Martin bribery trial rolled into its fourth day in 85th District Court here to- day with a verdict anticipated late today or tomorrow from the all male jury. Although based on "circum- stantial evidence," the bribery case which involves five men and a former probate judge from Houston, took on new meaning this morning when Brazos County District Attor- ney D. Brooks Cofer Jr. pre - isented the State's opening argu- "This is a case of a corrupt robate judge who received 10,550 in direct payments" rom "five of his buddies," Cof- er told the jury. Lion, "Bob Burns and Helei Smith." The State began its openin argument at 10:30 a.m. after a unexpected maneuver by De fense Attorney Clyde Wood Wednesday afternoon. The Stat rested its case at 3:55 p.m. Wed nesday. Defense Attorney Woc dy then plead the defendan Martin, "not guilty," introdu< (See VERDICT Page 10) Mooney Piano & Organ Co.- That's the place to buy yot piano or organ. TA 3 -5045- 1208 S. Coulter (Adv.) (Continued From Page 1 ed several motions and re the defense. Woody based the plea on "MORE THAN 6o PER CENT of _ the probate appointments went to these five men," Cofer pointed out. The five men re- ceived "3,511 appointments in a 17 -month period" while "267 individuals received 2,225 ap- pointments.' The State brought out at the r trial that the five men, appointed to represent the estates under probate, would receive an appointment by Mc- Clelland, get a fee for apprais- ing or representing the estate, and in turn deposit the money to a dummy corporation, Tierra Grande, Inc. Martin, the first of the five men to be tried, is accused of participating in the bribery of McClelland. The others yet to go on trial are E. R. Coffey, R, M. Duren, D. H. Hudson and Ross Evahn. They were indict- ed last April 29, 1963, by a Har- ris County Grand Jury. State's failure to prove its ( CO ER TOLD THE JURY "They have not shown si how Martin, :'a fellow member cient evidence to satisfy of the bar," organized "not state's law of circumstantial Tierra Grande but Tierra Mc- idence for a conviction." Clelland" for the benefit of the AS WOODY INTRODUC cooperating appraisers in the his motions before Judge I Houston probate scandal_ ron, Briscoe sat in the wits "Deposits say that Tierra box in the courtroom. Grande sometimes had the same Woody's motions for an address as the probate judge's," I tructed verdict to the j Cofer explained. He painted a were "respectfully overrul picture showing a common de- by Judge Barron. sign of the intent of the defen- The defense attorney t; dants to set up the investment rested his case without call corporation for the purpose of a single witness to the sta bribing McClelland. i including Martin. "ANY THREE PEOPLE can' The charge read to the ji organize a corporation in Tex- by Judge Barron at 10:15 a as," Cofer said. He also pointed today said Martin, if foi to the "pawns" in the corpora- guilty, could receive a minim sentence of two years in st prison, a $500 fine or 30 d; in county jail. The maxims sentence could be five years a $5,000 fine, or both. "MORE THAN 6o PER CENT of _ the probate appointments went to these five men," Cofer pointed out. The five men re- ceived "3,511 appointments in a 17 -month period" while "267 individuals received 2,225 ap- pointments.' The State brought out at the r trial that the five men, appointed to represent the estates under probate, would receive an appointment by Mc- Clelland, get a fee for apprais- ing or representing the estate, and in turn deposit the money to a dummy corporation, Tierra Grande, Inc. Martin, the first of the five men to be tried, is accused of participating in the bribery of McClelland. The others yet to go on trial are E. R. Coffey, R, M. Duren, D. H. Hudson and Ross Evahn. They were indict- ed last April 29, 1963, by a Har- ris County Grand Jury. Verdict Anticipated j B. Martin Cast The J. Bryson Martin bribery er told the jury. tion, "Bob Burns and Helen trial rolled into its fourth day "MORE THAN 60 PER CENT Smith." in 85th District Court here to- of the probate appointments The State began its opening day with a verdict anticipated _ went to these five men," Cofer argument at 10:30 a.m. after an late today or tomorrow from the pointed out. The five men re- unexpected maneuver by De -' all male jury. ceived "3,511 appointments in fense Attorney Clyde Woody Although based on "circum- a 17 -month period" while "267 Wednesday afternoon. The State rested its case at 3:55 p.m. Wed - stantial evidence,' the bribery individuals received 2,225 ap- pointments.' The State brought nesda Defense Attorney Woo - y case which involves five men out at the trial that the five dy then plead the defendant, and a former robate judge p men, appointed to represent the �� Martin, not guilty, introduc- from Houston, took on new this when estates under probate, would (See VERDICT Page 10) meaning morning Brazos County District Attor- receive an appointment by Mc- ney D. Brooks Cofer Jr, pre- Clelland, get a fee for apprais- Mooney Piano & Organ Co.— sented the State's opening argu- ing or representing the estate, That's the place to buy your ment• and in turn deposit the money piano or organ. TA 3 -5045— to a dummy corporation, Tierra 1208 S. Coulter (Adv.) "This is a case of a corrupt Grande, Inc. probate judge who received Martin, the fast of the five T $10,550 in direct payments" men to be tried, is accused of `ereiet from "five of his buddies," Cof- participating in the bribery of McClelland. The others yet to (Continued From Page 1) go on trial are E. R. Coffey, R. ed several motions and rested M. Duren, D. H. Hudson and the defense. Ross Evahn. They were indict- Woody based the plea on the ed last April 29, 1963, by a Har- State's failure to prove its case. ris County Grand Jury. "They have not shown suffi- COFER TOLD THE JURY cient evidence to satisfy the law of circumstantial ev- how Martin, :'a fellow member "not state's idence for a conviction. of the bar," organized Tierra Grande but Tierra Mc-1 AS WOODY INTRODUCED Clelland" for the benefit of thel his motions before Judge Bar - cooperating appraisers in thel ron, Briscoe sat in the witness Houston probate scandal. ;box in the courtroom. "Deposits say that Tierra Woody's motions for an in- Grande sometimes had the same structed verdict to the jury "respectfully overruled' address as the probate judge's," were Cofer explained. He painted a by Judge Barron. picture showing a common de- The defense attorney then sign of the intent of the defen- rested his case without calling dants to set up the investment a single witness to the stand, corporation for the purpose of including Martin. The charge read to the jury bribing McClelland. by Judge Barron at 10:15 a.m. "ANY THREE PEOPLE can today said Martin, if found organize a corporation in Tex- guilty, could receive a minimum as," Cofer said. He also pointed sentence of two years in state to the "pawns" hi the corpora- prison, a $500 fine or 30 days in county jail. The maximum sentence could be five years or a $5,000 fine, or both.