The Richmond Palladium And Sun Telegram

MEETING OF STARR AND MARLATT
MAY OPEN PRISON DOORS FOR MAN
JAILED 25 YEARS AGO FOR MURDER

The future happiness of Charles Kinley, serving a life sentence in the state prison at Michigan City for the killing of a man named Morgan near Spartansburg twenty-five years ago, may hinge on the accidental meeting of Charles E. Marlatt, member of the board of works, and Harry C. Starr, Indianapolis attorney, at the City Hall last night.

"Well, Charlie. this is the first time we have met in an official way in many years," remarked Starr. "You remember that I was prosecuting attorney every day you were sheriff of Wayne county."

Removes Thirty Prisoners.

"Yes, and I took more than thirty men to the penitentiary after you had convicted them," replied Marlatt. "One of them, Charles Kinley is still serving time on his life sentence."

Starr believed the man dead, but Marlatt said he was still alive.

"Let's get that man out, Charlie," suggested Starr. "I know that Kinley was not guilty of murder. but only of manslaughter. but the whole community was aroused so over the death of Morgan, who was an influential farmer. the only thing we could do when the case was venued from Randolph county. was to let him plead guilty to a charge of murder and receive a verdict of life imprisonment.

He was guilty of manslaughter but not of murder. I believe he ought to be given his freedom.

Marlatt recalled how threats of lynching were made and that a Pennsylvania conductor was highly incensed when he and the prisoner boarded the train here for the prison. The conductor locked the doors of the car at Cambridge City and Dunreith. No violence was attempted.

Kinley entered Morgan's house to get something to eat. Hearing Morgan return, he hid under a bed. Morgan forced him to get out and then threatened to brain him with a stone.

Kinley was badly beaten up by Morgan and fearing that he would be killed by the angry man, drew a revolver and shot him.