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Telegram Herald
Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan
What is this article about?
George H. White writes to the Editor of the Telegram-Herald defending his handling of the Van Keuren arson cases, explaining the dismissal of the first charge, consent to reuse testimony in the second to save taxpayer costs, issues with witness cross-examination, and correcting errors in a prior newspaper article.
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Editor Telegram-Herald:
Case No. 1 against Van Keuren was for burning a dwelling-house in the night time, an offense punishable by imprisonment for life or any number of years. The evidence of 15 witnesses was taken and then the case dismissed.
Case No. 2 against Van K. was then instituted charging the burning of building and contents to defraud insurers, etc., an offense punishable by imprisonment not exceeding ten years. The testimony on the first case could not be used in the second one without my consent. To save great expense to the tax payers I consented that it be used in second case provided the witnesses be produced for such cross-examination as I wished. Afterward I notified Prosecutor La Grue in writing of six (naming them) I would cross-examine. So far he has produced but four of them. The change of base by the People rendered the cross-examination necessary. The defense has not asked for any adjournment or caused any, and has always been ready to proceed; the People have not yet furnished their side. On Friday, Judge Westfall put the case for 4 o'clock p. m. I was there ready before the hour set. All delays have arisen from the sickness and death of Judge Holmes, the conspiracy cases, other court business or the ill-judged acts of the deputy prosecutor. There were other errors in your yesterday's article, but they are not important enough for an answer.
George H. White.
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Letter to Editor Details
Author
George H. White
Recipient
Editor Telegram Herald
Main Argument
defends the procedural decisions in the van keuren arson cases, including consent to reuse testimony to reduce costs, necessity of cross-examination due to changed charges, and readiness of the defense despite delays caused by the prosecution and court issues; corrects errors in the newspaper's previous article.
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