Opposition Brief — Mahoney v. Michigan

Office - Supreme Court,

—____-__ _ _ _ ie)

‘ JUN 21949

CHARLES ELMORE CRC

In the CL

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

October Term, 1948

PETE MAHONEY,

Petitioner,

vs.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN

Brief Opposing Petition for Certiorari

\“ Stephen J. Roth

Attorney General for the State

of Michigan

{| Edmund E. Shepherd

Solicitor General of the State of

Michigan

Subject Index of Matter in Brief

Page

I. Opinion of Court Below 1

II. Counter-Statement on Jurisdiction 2

Ill. Counter-Statement of the Case 2

IV. Summary of the Argument 36

V. Argument 37

VI. Conclusion 51

Table of Cases

Adams v. McCann, 317 U.S. 269, 281 ..... 48

Banning v. United States, 130 F. 2d 330, cert. denied,

317 U.S. 695

Buchalter v. New York, 319 U.S. 427, 431 37,

Cajiafas v. United States, 38 F. 2d 3

* Hyde v. United States, 225 U.S. 347

James v. United States, 16 F. 2d 125

& 6 & 8 & &

Mattox v. United States, 146 U.S. 140

People v Chivas, 322 Mich. 384, 34 N.W. 2d 22. 1, 45

People v. DeMeaux, 194 Mich. 18 vis 45

People v. Fleisher et al., 322 Mich. #74, 94 N.W. 2445 incl af

People v. Good, 99 Mich. 620 45

People v. Higgins, 127 Mich. 294 39

People v. Vanderhoof, 234 Mich. 419 39

People v. Watson, 307 Mich. 596, cert. denied, 823 U.S.

749, rehearing denied, 323 U.S. 815 . %9

‘Statutes

U.S. Code, Revised, Tithe 28,4 1957.0 2,41

Mich. Goede of Criminal Procedure, chap. 7, § 6, 3 Mich.

Comp. Laws 1929, § 17220, Stat. Ann. § 28946... 7

In the

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

October Term, 1948

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN

Brief Opposing Petition for Certiorari

I

Opinions of Court Below.!"!

The opinion of the court below is officially reported as

People v. Fleisher, et al. (including Mahoney), 322 Mich.

(adv. sheets, Nov. 9, 1948) 474, unofficially, 34 N.W. 2d 15.

The connected case referred to in the opinion and in coun-

sel’s brief, p. 17, is officially reported as People v. Chivas,

322 Mich. 384, and unofficially in 34 N.W. 2d 22.

{*]

Unless otherwise plainly indicated, numbers ip parentheses refer to pages

of the printed record.

2

II

Counter-Statement on J urisdiction.

We accept the statement, petition, p. 15, that jurisdiction

of this Court is invoked under 28 U.S.C., Revised, § 1257,

and that all necessary steps were taken within the time

provided by law.

It is our position, however, (1) that certain questions

presented to the Court in the petition, and in the brief of

the petitioner, were not presented in their federal aspect;

(2) that the court below decided no federal questions, sub-

stantial or otherwise; (3) that the court below rested de-

cision on adequate and independent non-federal grounds;

and (4) that no federal question presented by the petition

for certiorari, possesses substance.

It

Counter-Statement of the Case

Since petitioner’s statement of the case is, in our opinion,

argumentative, relating the facts most favorable to him,

we cannot accept such a summary of the 3-volume printed

record. We, therefore, supply the following abstract of the

testimony, taken from our brief in the court below.(1]

Such abstract of the testimony includes: (1) a broad

outline of the State’s theory of the facts, derived from the

(iJ

It should be noted that none of the defendants moved for a directed ver-

dict, and none contended that the verdict of the jury was against the great

weight of the evidence. 2

——, eer

slice

trial court’s charge to the jury; (2) a brief synopsis of the

testimony which the people contends supports such a the-

ory;!2] (3) the theory of the defense which was, of course,

rejected by the jury; and (4) a short summary of the testi-

mony offered in support of the defense theory.

1

The People’s theory, accepted by jury in resolving issues

of fact.

As carefully explained by the trial judge in his charge

to the jury when «tating (996-1001) the theory of the

prosecution, the essential ingredients of the story accept-

ed by the jury are substantially these:(?]

The defendants Fleisher, Selik and Mahoney were con-

cerned in procuring an interest in the gambling establish-

ment at 6914 South Saginaw Street in the city of Pontiac

which was conducted by one James Dades (150-167) as the

Club Aristocrat, and which they proposed to acquire

through the procedure dubbed by the underworld as ‘muse-

ling in’ and in furtherance of such a scheme Fleisher and

Selik had conceived the plan of robbing the proprietor and

owner (996).

Mike Selik, who worked in O’Larry’s Bar in Detroit, had

while in state prison become acquainted with Sam Abram-

owitz, a witness in this case,(3] and after their release Selik

[2]

In such summary (and those which follow) we shall endeavor to elim-

inate all unessential details.

[3]

For his testimony, see record (346-871; 378-457; 470-512; 539-546).

siaieaiieanaabianatiaial

ac

and Abramowitz (the witness), the defendants Fleisher

and Mahoney, and another witness, Henry Luks,[4] met on

several occasions in O’Larry’s Bar (996).

Luks, who was a state prisoner on parole, worked in Lans-

ing; Abramowitz, also on parole, lived in Flint; but each of

them, from time to time, would frequent O’Larry’s Bar, in

Detroit, where they met the defendants Fleisher, Selik and

Mahoney (997).

During the latter part of November 1944, Selik requested

Luks to come to Detroit because he had something for him

to do, and on or about the 28th of that month Selik wired

Abramowitz at Flint, requesting him to come to Detroit on

Friday (Dee. 1, 1944), stating that it was important (997) [5]

On Friday, December 1, 1944, Abramowitz met Fleisher

and Selik at O’Larry’s Bar, Detroit, where they informed

him they wished him to participate with them and others in

the robbery of a place in Pontiac; and these three men, Selik,

Fleisher and Abramowitz then drove to a eardroom operated

by Mahoney on Woodward avenue near the Vernor High-

way, where they met Luks, Mahoney, and the defendants

Chivas and Davidson. And it was then and there agreed be-

tween them (Fleisher, Selik, Mahoney, Davidson and

Chivas, defendants, and Abramowitz and Luks, witnesses

and accomplices) that the parties would drive to Pontite

that night for the purpose of robbing the place discussed and

agreed upon (997).

[4]

See Luks’ testimony (167-235).

{5}

For brevity in this summary of the State’s theory, we use the last names

of the parties concerned.

~~" ee

ides

Pursuant to such agreement, the parties drove to O’Lar-

ry’s Bar, picked up the gun or guns, and in two automobiles

proceeded to Pontiac, arriving there in the early hours of

Saturday, December 2, 1944, when the defendant Chivas

went into Dade’s place and in a few minutes reported to cer-

tain of the other defendants concerning the amount of ‘play’

going on in the gambling establishment (998).

In accordance with an understanding between the parties

to the transaction, certain of them synchronized their watch-

es, it being agreed that Chivas was to return to the Dades

establishment, wait exactly 5 minutes, and then leave the

place, whereupon Davidson, Abramowitz and Luks would

gain entrance and rob the individuals who were playing

cards or gambling (998).

Meanwhile, Abramowitz obtained three guns from the de-

fendant Mahoney, who had brought them from Detroit, and

who was parked across the street from the gambling estab-

lishment, gave one to Luks and one to Davidson, (987, 998).

Later, Luks, Abramowitz and Davidson went to the front

door of the Dades place, rang the bell, but were not allowed

to enter. Davidson was recognized by one James Pruzor

(285-316), who told the rest of the occupants not to let the

men in; so, after a short time Abramowitz, Luks and David-

son left, going down the stairway leading to the street. One

of the Dades’ place frequenters, thinking he recognized some

of the parties, left the establishment (998), and went down

to the sidewalk in front of the stairway, where he was struck

over the head with a gun by Davidson.[6] Whereupon,

[6]

The man so assaulted was Philip Criss who testified (236-249) concerning

the affray, but who recognized only the defendant Chivas. Other witnesses,

esp., Abramowitz and Luks, testified concerning the remaining details.

a

oa

Luks and Davidson marched the witness Criss up the stair.

way, and one of the occupants opened the door, allowing

Luks and Criss to enter, but they shut it before Davidson

got in. Luks, gun in hand, then informed the occupants

that it was a ‘holdup’ and he proceeded to rob certain of

them of their money, taking upwards of $270 from the pro-

prietor, James Dades (999).

Shortly after the entrance of Luks and Criss into the

gambling establishment Abramowitz, who in the interval

had attended the outside door, returned upstairs, found

Davidson in the hallway in front of the upper door, and with

his gun broke the door glass, thus permitting Davidson to

enter the place and who while armed with a revolver par-

ticipated in the robbery (999).

In breaking the glass, Abramowitz cut both his wrists

and, bleeding freely, ran downstairs and got in the rear seat

of an automobile (belonging to one Martin Eisner) which

had been driven to Pontiac by Fleisher and in which he and

Selik were then seated. Abramowitz remained in this ear

long enough to leave blood stains on the floor of the rear

seat of the vehicle, and Fleisher and Selik told him to go to

Pete’s (Mahoney’s) car so Mahoney could take him to a

doctor. Accepting such advice, Abramowitz got in the ear

with Mahoney and they started for a doctor (999).

|

Unable to find a physician in Pontiac, and while driving

to Detroit, Mahoney and Abramowitz decided to go to Har- __ |

per Hospital in that city, concocting the story (to be told

hospital authorities) that Abramowitz had been injured

when attacked by some colored people. Upon arrival at the

hospital, Abramowitz told his story and was treated by a |

physician who took several stitches in his wrists, the scars |

of which he bore when he testified (1000).

ae

Fleisher, Selik, Davidson (defendants) and Luks (the

witness) left Pontiac shortly after the robbery, drove to

Fleisher’s home, took care of the guns (with the exception

of that used by Abramowitz), and then Selik and Davidson,

accompanied by Luks, went from Fleisher’s home to a res-

taurant on Dexter Bouevard where they counted the money

taken in the robbery, and from there went to Greenfield’s

restaurant. While there, Selik phoned the defendant Ma-

honey at his apartment, and shortly thereafter Mahoney

and Chivas came to Greenfield’s (1000).

relies

In dividing the money Davidson requested and received

$150.00; and it was agreed that Chivas should have a like

amount (1000-1001).

Selik and Mahoney then went to Harper Hospital and

brought Abramowitz to Greenfield’s restaurant where they

remained a few minutes during which Abramowitz being

weak drank a couple of glasses of milk. There the parties

split up; Mike Selik took Abramowitz and Luks to his apart-

ment, where Luks remained until the following day, Abram-

owitz staying until sometime the following Monday (1001).

Luks received approximately $170.00 as his share of the

avails of the robbery, while Abramowitz received a similar

amount (1001).

Luks and Abramowitz were called before the grand jury

being conducted by Circuit Judge Doty in Oakland county,

and each of them was granted immunity concerning their

answers relating to the facts in this case (1001).(7]

(7]

Code of Criminal Procedure, chap. 7, § 6; 3 Comp. Laws 1928, § 17220;

Stat. Ann. § 28.946.

a

2

Synopsis of testimony supporting theory of people accepted

by the jury.

Witnesses for the prosecution fall readily into three

groups: (a) those accomplices who related the entire trans-

action from its instigation to its close;[8] (b) those who

corroborated the testimony of such accomplices;f9] and (c)

those ‘eye-witnesses’ who were present at the Club Aristo-

crat when the event oceurred.{10]

(a) Testimony of

Accomplices:

Henry Luks, a 29-year-old recidivist, after relating his

antecedents (167-168), ‘rst told of his friendship and asso-

ciation with Selik and his acquaintance with the other de-

fendants, Fleisher, Mahoney, Chivas and Davidson, the

group that frequented O’Larry’s Bar and Mahoney’s place

on Woodward avenue (168-170).

He testified in substance (169-189) that the last part of

November or the first part of December 1944, on a Friday, in

response to a telephone call from Selik, he went from Lan-

sing to Detroit by rail, and arrived at Mahoney’s place on

(8)

Henry Luks (167-235); Sam Abramowitz (346-371; 378-457; 539-546).

19]

Martin Bisner (316-329) ; Abe Messenger (329-331) ; Gabriel Cohen (331-

339) ; and Joseph A. Lutz (339-342).

{1e)

James Dades (150-167); Philip Criss (236-249); Chris Kocotas (250-

261); Harry Polenis (261-270) ; Louis Armos (270-175) ; George Giotopolos

(275-284) ; and James Pruzor (285-316).

a

Woodward avenue between 10:00 and 11:00 at night, where,

at midnight, he had a conference with Mahoney, Selik,

Fleisher, Abramowitz, and Davidson; Chivas was there,

though he did not sit at the table and had little to say.

At this conference, the parties laid their plans and agreed

to go to Pontiac for the purpose of ‘sticking up’ some

‘gambling house’. They were to go there in two cars; Ma-

honey was supposed (175) ‘to drive the guns down there,

and (said the witness) we were supposed to meet him...

and get the guns and go up and hold up the place and come

down, and Harry (Fliesher) and Mike (Selik) were sup-

posed to drive us back to Detroit. I was supposed to go in

with one of the guns, and Candy (Davidson) and... Abram-

owitz was also supposed to go in with me. . .. Abramowitz

was supposed to stay at the door’. Chivas was supposed to

‘Jeave (let) us in the place’. And Luks revealed further de-

tails of the plan, many of which are irrelevant te this re-

view.

He did testify (176), however, that:

‘“While we sat there at the table in Pete Mahoney’s

place, there was something said concerning what car

we were to ride up here in. We were to follow in an-

other car, and I did not know at that time what kind of

a car it was, and later learned it was a Pontiac and

Harry Fleisher was to drive it. It was said that...

Selik, . . . Abramowitz, the fellow Candy (Davidson)

and myself would ride in that car with . . . Fleisher

driving ....”’

After the foregoing conversation, the defendants went to

O’Larry’s Bar, where they remained until it closed at 2:00

o’clock in the morning (177), when Fleisher, Selik, David-

son (referred to repeatedly as ‘Candy’), Abramowitz and

—1o—

the witness Luks drove to Pontiac and passed the place

they were to hold up (177). They then made a U-turn about

a half block beyond, and finally parked on the same street

on the opposite side across from the place they held up (177-

178). Mahoney’s car was parked across from them ‘about

30 feet going in the opposite direction ’, and the defendant

Chivas came from there to talk with them, sitting in the

front seat.

Chivas stated (178) he had been up in the gambling place

and, since they had a poor night, there wouldn’t be too

much money. Fleisher didn’t like the idea; Luks favored

it; and both Selik and Fleisher said ‘it is up to you fel-

lows’; and thereupon those who had watches ‘fixed them at

the exact time’. The plan was that Chivas was to go up in

the gambling place, remain there three or four or five min-

utes, and when he came out the door, the others were to

force their way in and hold up the place (179). There was

a doorman there who would not let them in if they were

strangers,

This witness (Luks) then proceeded to give the details of

the holdup, as heretofore summarized: that Chivas left the

car and went across the street; that Abramowitz, Luks and

Davidson waited a few minutes, then crossed the street and

obtained three guns from Mahoney’s car, each receiving

one; that Luks, Abramowitz and Davidson went up the

stairs, were denied admittance, and (179-186); that Luks

finally obtained entrance to the gambling place by sticking

his gun in the ribs of a man who had just come out; and that

the robbery then proceeded (180).

Shortly after, Luks heard a crash of glass, and Davidson

(referred to as ‘Candy’) entered the place with drawn gun.

They stayed about 10 minutes, obtaining money from the

people there and from the cash register. During this time,

—_—~"”""

saline

while they were in the place, Chivas was amongst the cus-

tomers, holding his hands up and, upon demand of Davidson,

lying face down on the floor; and he was still there when

Luks walked out the door (182).

When, after the robbery, Luks and Davidson went out

and down the stairs, they crossed aver to the Pontiac car

where they found Selik and Fleisher, and they got into the

back seat (181-182), and Selik told them to be careful, that

Abramowitz had been seriously cut about the wrists, and

that there was blood on the floor (183), but Luks did not

observe the blood because it was still dark.

They did not stop until they got to Detroit and Fleisher’s

home, where they were supposed to leave the guns, and

Fleisher left the car; Luks did not see him take the guns,

but the witness had handed the guns to the front of the car

while they were driving from Pontiac to Detroit. Fleisher

returned to the vehicle in a few minutes (183), and they drove

either to a cab or directly in the car to a restaurant on Dex-

ter Avenue not very far from O’Larry’s Bar. The witness

was not sure whether Fleisher drove them, or took them to

a cab in which they were conveyed to the restaurant. Be

that as it may, ‘Candy’ (Davidson), Selik and the witness

Luks went into the restaurant and, during the half hour

they were there, the latter got the money together and

counted it, about $800. (184).

After that, these men took a cab to the Greenfield restaur-

ant on Woodward Avenue, and Davidson, Selik and Luks

went in ‘because (Luks said) we were to meet the other fel-

lows there’ (184).

Mahoney and Chivas came to this restaurant later, and

there were five of them, Selik, Davidson, Mahoney, Chivas

and the witness Luks (185). Then they proceeded to divide

a

pane

—l12—

the money: Davidson asked for and received $150, and,

after Selik and Mahoney had gone to the hospital and

brought back bramowitz, Chivas was given $150 (185)

on order from Mahoney and Selik; and Abramowitz received

$170 or $180 (186).

When Abramowitz came into the restaurant with Ma-

honey and Selik, his arms were bandaged (186). Luks was

not sure whether he gave Abramowitz the full sum of $170

or $180 there; it might have been some there, the resi

somewhere else (187).

From the Greenfield restaurant, Abramowitz, Selik and

Luks went to Selik’s apartment and went to bed after stay-

ing up a little while and having a drink or two. Luks slept

on a couch and Abramowitz slept in a Murphy bed (187).

He stayed there until the afternoon of the next day and

Abramowitz was still there when he left; he saw him again

that night. Selik’s wife was around there, and that night

was the last the witness saw Abramowitz around the Selik

apartment. Then Luks returned to Lansing (188).

Luks testified (188-189) further that prior to the robbery,

either at the place on Woodward or in the ear, Selik told

him that ‘the fellow (Dades) had an expensive diamond

ring on his finger’.

The witness Luks was closely cross-examined by counsel

for the defense,(11] especially in relation to the make of ear

in which he had been driven to the scene of the crime (209,

212-214), and he was called upon to explain certain alleged

[11]

By counsel for Mahoney (189-193 ; 225-297 ), Chivas (193-199), Davidson

(200-201), and by the attorney who represented Fleisher and Selik (201-

225).

_ ——

—13—

discrepancies in the testimony given by him at the pre-

liminary examination.

Sam Abramowitz (346-371; 378-457; 539-546), 37 years

old, a native of Cincinnati but a resident of Detroit since

age one, had a 10th grade education, and possessed a prison

record (346).

The witness met the defendant Selik about 1931 or 1932

while they were imprisoned at Ionia, and they became pretty

good friends, renewing their acquaintance in 1944 within a

month or so after Selik had been released from Jackson

prison (346-347). It might have been the latter part of

1943 when they met at O’Larry’s Bar, which Selik was run-

ning or managing (347).

From April 1943, when Abramowitz was released on

parole and went to live in Flint, until the 2nd day of De-

cember 1944, he saw Selik a few dozen times or more, at

O’Larry’s Bar, at Selik’s apartment, and in a little gambling

place on 12th Street, Detroit (348).

- Abramowitz testified (348-349) he had known Fleisher

for 20 years, during which they grew up in the same

neighborhood, though he did not know him well (other than

to say ‘hello’) until the year 1944 when he saw Fleisher

about the same amount of time he saw Selik and at the

same places. He really got acquainted with him in October

of 1944, and, he stated (349), ‘I became better acquainted

with him when this robbery happened’.

At about the same time, in October 1944, the witness also

became acquainted with the respondent Mahoney, and he

met the defendant Chivas at Mahoney’s place on Woodward

avenue. He knew Davidson by the name of ‘Candy’ (349).

als

During the period of time when Abramowitz lived in

Flint, he received a telegram from Selik and shortly after

that he arrived in Detroit on Friday night, December 1,

(1944), and went to O’Larry’s Bar (350) about 10:00

o’clock. Fleisher and Selik came in about 11:00 o’clock and,

during a conversation with this witness, stated they wanted

him to go to Mahoney’s place (351).

When (the three) were outside, said the witness (351),

“‘Mike (Selik) spoke up and told me that we could

take this Pontiac place off that night or rather .

the following morning’’.

No other conversation took place between O’Larry’s Bar

and Mahoney’s place, because when they left they were in

Marty Eisner’s car ‘and Mike’s (Selik) wife was along

and we didn’t talk in front of her’ (851). They were trying

to catch a cab first and since they could not get one, Selik

suggested they go inside and get Eisner’s car and get his

(Selik’s) wife and after they got to Mahoney’s place, Mrs.

Selik would drive back with the car (351).

At Mahoney’s place, Abramowitz met Chivas, Luks and

Mahoney, as well as Candy Davidson, who arrived 20 or

30 minutes later in response to a telephone call and who was

introduced to them as an out-of-town boy (352-353).

This witness then testified in relation to the conversation

had by the defendants and the witnesses around a table in

the Mahoney establishment during which they formulated

plans for robbing the gambling place at Pontiac (355-358),

and he told of further conferences on the subject held later

in the morning at O’Larry’s Bar. During such talk, Selik

said (351) that he and Fleisher and Mahoney wanted

—

walle

‘*to get a piece of the place (at Pontiac) and take it

over. We were (said Abramowitz) going to hold up

the place and what money was there we would keep,

they (Selik, Fleisher and Mahoney) didn’t want any

part of the money, they just wanted the place’’.

Like Luks, Abramowitz also told of the trip the parties

made to Pontiac in the Eisner car, starting out from

O’Larry’s Bar around 2:30 in the morning of December 2,

1944, and how Fleisher drove with Selik whe sat in front

beside him while Davidson, Luks and Abramowitz occupied

the rear reat. He did not see Chivas and Mahoney again

until they arrived in Pontiac (358-359).

And he testified in detail concerning the robbery and the

part he played (359-364), including the cuts he received on

his wrists while opening the door into the gambling place

(362-363).

Abramowitz related how, after cutting his wrists on the

glass of the upper door, he returned downstairs to the Eisner

car and got in the rear seat and talked with Fleisher and

Selik whoa still sat in front. While there, he bled profusely

on the front of the back seat and possibly some on the back

of the front seat, because he was leaning up that way and

telling them to take him to a doctor. Selik, however, told

him to run ahead to Mahoney’s car and have him take him

to a doctor, and they, Fleisher and Selik, could wait and

take the boys back (363). And the witness displayed to

the jury the scars on his wrists (363-364).

When Abramowitz got into Mahoney’s car, they decided

to drive to one of the hospitals in Detroit, and as they drove

along they determined on Harper Hospital in that city

(364), and planned the story they would tell, having in

mind that in every emergency case that comes into Detroit

onli.

hospitals, the police are called (365). Knowing that on one

side of Harper Hospital was a colored neighborhood, they

decided that Abramowitz would go in that entrance and

tell the authorities in charge that he had been cut by a

couple of colored men that were trying to rob him. And that

is the story that he told when he got inside (365-366).

After being treated in the emergency and operating rooms

by Dr. Anderson and others, Abramowitz, when he got

downstairs, saw Selik and Mahoney standing near the cash.

ier, paying his bill. The three men then got a cab and went

up Woodward avenue to Greenfield’s cafeteria where they

found Chivas and Luks. Candy (Davidson) was not there,

and Selik told Abramowitz that Candy had taken his part

of the money and gone (366). As they got to Greenfield’s

restaurant, Selik, Mahoney and Chivas were there with Luks,

but Fleisher was not present. The men were sitting at a

table when he arrived, and one time Selik said to him that

he had his (Abramowitz ’s) share of the money and he would

give it to him. Abramowitz said O.K., and he didn’t take

the money until the next day (367). He had two glasses of

milk, and then they split up.

While at Greenfield ’s, the conversation was that Abramo-

witz was going to Selik’s apartment and stay there for a

day or two, ‘which was suggested by Mike Selik’ (367).

In accordance with that arrangement, Selik and Luks,

Abramowitz and Mahoney left the restaurant in a taxi cab;

they let Mahoney off at the corner of Woodward and Alex-

andria, and then went to Selik’s apartment on Boston Boul-

evard (consisting of a bedroom, living room, kitchen and

bathroom). Luks, Selik and Abramowitz went in together,

and the witness slept on the Murphy bed, while Luks slept

on the couch (367).

__ ——

—

Abramowitz was not certain of the time of arrival at

Selik’s apartment, but he thought it was around 6:00

o’clock in the morning. He first saw Selik’s wife around

there when he came in (367).

The witness also testified (369) he remained in the Selik

apartment from Saturday morning until about noon Mon-

day. Selik’s wife and a girl from Chuck Selik’s bar took

eare of him and looked after him. Luks stayed there that

one night and left some time during Saturday.[!2]

Abramowitz recalled (369) a man named Eisner coming

to the Selik apartment Saturday or Sunday, he thought

Saturday, and asked him how he felt; and ‘there was a fel-

low in the kitchen they eall Lindy’. He had known him for

years but did not know until he saw it in the papers, that

Lindy’s last name was Niskar. Niskar was there all after-

noon, taking bets on a telephone extension which they had

there for a bookie. Abramowitz had seen him around the

apartment before doing the same thing. Eisner went into the

kitchen and talked with Lindy Niskar (369-370), but he

didn’t know what they were saying.

Abramowitz finally left Monday night and returned to

Flint, and was eventually picked up by the police in March

1945 and taken to the jail at Mason in Ingham county (370)

where he was kept until the trial (371).

Recalled, the witness testified (378) that on or about

the 28th day of November 1944, while he was at Flint, he

[12]

It is important to compare this testimony with that of Selik (779), and

both with the allegations in the affidavit of Mrs. Selik (1066-1067) which

was filed in support of the motion for new trial on behalf of Fleisher and

Selik. y

Be ee...

received a telegram signed ‘Mike’ (Selik) which told him

(383) it was very important for (Selik) to see him Friday

night, and it said (384) to come to Detroit Friday night.

The witness was then cross-examined by counsel for

Chivas (384-396) and Davidson (396-397) (131

On cross-examination by counsel for Mahoney (396-408,

Vol. I), Abramowitz testified it was around 12:00 midnight

when the defendants left O’Larry’s Bar, Detroit, so they

must have been in that place two hours (398). During

that time he talked with Selik and Fleisher about 10 or 15

minutes (399).

On cross-examination by Mahoney’s counsel (396-408,

Vol. I), Abramowitz testified it was around midnight or a

few minutes after that they left O’Larry’s Bar to go to Ma-

honey’s place, Detroit, so they must have been in the former

place two hours (398) during which he talked with Fleisher

and Selik about 10 or 15 minutes (399). While waiting for

a cab, Abramowitz had a conversation with Selik, as the

result of which Mike Selik and his wife, Fleisher and

Abramowitz drove to Mahoney’s place.

Counsel questioned the witness closely concerning Ma-

honey’s participation in the conference at the table in his

place, bringing out the fact that Mahoney spent most of his

time attending to his gambling business and selling whis-

key (400); Mahoney merely came to that table for a minute

or so on a couple of occasions, ‘up until the last time’. They

did not really discuss the proposed robbery until they were

[13]

Since Chivas appealed on a separate record, and since we received no

brief from counsel for Davidson, such cross-examination is not set forth

in full.

“ _s

all there, except Chivas, then they sat there about 10 min-

utes talking about it. ‘I mean’, he said, ‘Pete Mahoney sat

at that table about 10 minutes, and that constituted our

discussion regarding the whole matter, and how it was to

be pulled’ (401).

Pete Mahoney had a red two-door Oldsmobile coach (401)

which he drove to Pontiac later that following morning

(402).

Seven of them drove in the same car from Mahoney’s

place to O’Larry’s Bar at 1:30 in the morning. Henry Luks

was one of the seven men (402), though if Luks stated there

were five men in one car and two in another, either witness

could be mistaken (402-403). But he was pretty certain

there were seven since he thought he sat on somebody’s lap.

Abramowitz’s acquaintance with Mahoney began around

October 1944 .and in the interval between then and the Ist

day of December they merely ‘passed the time of day’ sev-

eral times when they met casually (403). .

When they arrived in Pontiac, the witness was certain,

that second car was parked on the west side of the street

when Abramowitz went to it to get guns. Then he went

immediately across the street. And immediately after he

broke the glass in the door, he came downstairs right away

(404-405). He did not know how much time elapsed but he

thought about 12 minutes. He got in the car and was there

just a few seconds. The bad cut on the inside of his wrist

was bleeding very badly (405).

Abramowitz stated he then got out and went up ahead and

got into. Mahoney’s car which had been pulled up in front

on the ‘same side of the street while he was upstairs. He

CIs ASAIN

—20—.

could not estimate the distance it was from the building

entrance, might have been 100 or 500 or 1,000 feet (406).

When he got in Mahoney’s car he stated to him his wrists

were bleeding, and they bled all the way to the hospital,

so the blood went down on the car, either on the front seat

or in the front of the car and all through his clothes (406).

And counsel for Mahoney further examined. the witness

on the subject of his trip to the hospital (406-408), and in

relation to his criminal record.

Cross-examined by counsel for Fleisher-Selik. (Vol. II.

409-451), Abramowitz testified (409-413) that although

he had stated at the preliminary examination conducted

by Circuit Judge Doty in the same court room, that an

attorney, Theodore J. Rodgers, had swindled him out of

$500, the accusation was false because, his recollection

having been refreshed after being questioned by Lyle Morse,

a state police officer, he remembered that the lawyer’s name

was Robbins, and not Rodgers.

He was also closely examined on the subject of his

parole in 1943 (414-415), the terms thereof and the con-

sequences flowing from its violation (449) and the penalty

exacted by law for the offense of robbery, armed (450).

He admitted he had had opportunity to talk with the

witness Luks about his testimony, but he denied that he

had (417).

Abramowitz also admitted (417-420) he had been taken

to Dades’ place at Pontiac to check-up on the place, and

counsel questioned him closely on a discrepency in his

testimony with respect to the number of doors there,

whether 3 or 4.

—

_

The witness denied (420-421) he knew Polenis (an eye-

witness, see 261-270 and 547-550); it was possible he

answered (421), that since his arrest in March 1945 Harry

Polenis had been brought to his presence by an officer who

said ‘This is Harry Polenis, do you know him’, but he did

not recall the event. His memory was not good.

Under such examination, he retraced the course of events

on Dee. 1 and 2, 1944, the use of Hisner’s car (422), and

his knowledge of Hyman Niskar, who, he said, was in

O’Larry’s Bar that night. He restated facts relating to

the plans laid for the robbery (423-425) and the methods

pursued in carrying them out (426-427).

He also explained the duties of a door-man during a

robbery (428), the position to which he was assigned that

night (429), and he again stated that Fleisher, Selik and

Mahoney were waiting in cars out in front (429).

The witness was closely questioned about a car he saw

or heard on the street below while he was on the stairs

(430-433).

Counsel then examined the witness about the arrange-

ment made by the defendants that night at Mahoney’s

place, about splitting the expected $15,000 or $30,000 they

hoped to realize from the robbery, and he testified that

Fleisher, Selik and Mahoney did not want any share, the

reason being that they were ‘trying to muscle in on the

place’ (434-437).

The witness again related the events which occurred

after cutting his hand and wrists on the door of the Dades’

place (441-442), the trip to the Detroit hospital; and in

that connection he was asked to explain why he and Ma-

honey, although anxious to obtain medical attention, did

=~ =

not stop at other hospitals along the route, the answer

being that they did not wish to risk investigation in Oak-

land county or in Highland Park (441-444).

At the Harper hospital, two police officers questioned

Abramowitz, who told them the story he had concocted

with Mahoney (445).

When he came out he was surprised to find Mahoney

and Selik waiting for him; he didn’t find Luks there but

saw him later when the three men drove to Greenfield’s

restaurant.

And counsel examined the witness regarding the trip to

Selik’s home and his stay there (447-448).

On re-direct examination (451-454), Abramowitz testified

(451) that after he had received the injury, Selik agreed

that he would be paid $10 a day until he was able to go back

te work. Thereafter he received from Selik, Fleisher and

Mahoney sums of money amounting to $300 or $400 alto-

gether (452).

The witness testified he knew of the proposed hold-up

job prior to receipt of the telegram from Selik (452),

learning of it two or three weeks earlier at O’Larry’s

Bar when Selik told him he had a place in Pontiac and

that just as soon as it was set up right Henry (Luks) and

Abramowitz were going to pull it (453).

The conversation about Fleisher, Selik and Mahoney

‘muscling in’ took place first in front of O’Larry’s Bar,

and second at Mahoney’s place (453).

Further cross-examination (470-489): After the State had

rested (467), Abramowitz was recalled and cross-examined

_

—23-

farther by counsel for Fleisher and Selik, first (473-474),

ia regard to a statement that the witness made to the prese-

cuting attorney of Jackson county,{14] and second (475-

483), concerning the gambler Hyman Niskar.{15)

And he was also questioned (484-489) concerning certain

events which followed his arrest in March 1945.

(b) Corroborative

Testimony:

Luks and Abramowitz were corroborated in the manner

following (stated here in summary fashion) :

Martin Eisner (316-329), owner of the car said to have

been loaned to Niskar the night of December 1, 1944, and

which Luks and Abramowitz said was used in connection

with the robbery, testified that the car was returned to him

the following morning, Dec. 2, 1944, and that he found blood

stains on its floor.

Abe Messenger (329-331), a lawyer, testified he repre-

sented Hisner in a cause pending in the district court of

the United States at Detroit, and though he could not

remember the exact or many of the exact details (he was

a reluctant witness, obviously), he did recall that on one

oceasion Eisner picked up another attorney and himself

[14]

The admissibility in evidence of this statement is involved in Question

11, Meisher-Selik brief, pp. 45-53. See Group IV, Question 2 this brief.

We regret the necessity for breaking the numerical sequence of the foot-

notes, skipping from footnote 48 to this, footnote 52.

{15}

Involved in questions set forth under Group IV, this brief, based on court's

refusal to compel State to endorse Niskar’s name.

—"

to take them downtown; and that on this porticular oc-

casion he heard someone, when getting out wr the car,

making the remark: (Who the hell had a miscarriage

here’, but he did not himself see any stains (330).

Gabriel Cohen, the other lawyer, testified (331-339), with

the characteristic caution of a member of his profession,

that on the occasion mentioned in Mr. Messenger’s testi-

mony, supra, that something was there on the floor of the

car finally caused him to use the expression above recorded

(358-339).

Joseph A. Lutz (339-342), an orderly in Harper Hospital,

testified he remembered that on the morning of December

2, 1944, a man by the name of Abramowitz was brought

into the hospital, and he identified him as the defendant

by that name. He saw Dr. Walter Anderson sew up the

arm of Abramowitz. This was between 3:00 and 4:00 in

the morning, though it might have been later; and he also

saw Selik and Mahoney there (341).

Doctor Donald A. Anderson (457-469), on night duty as

an interne in Harper Hospital on December 2, 1944, testi-

fied concerning the condition in which he found the re-

spondent Abramowitz when he came to the hospital that

morning; and he related the treatment administered when

he sewed up the wounds on the patient’s wrists. Abram-

owitz, he testified (459-460), stated he had been taken into

a car and a robbery was attempted by two colored men and

that he became excited and fought his way free, and he

received these cuts, whether they were from knives or

glass, he wasn’t sure. He left the hospital at 6:20 a.m.

(460).

—_— -

aii

(c) Witnesses at

scene of crime:

Several witnesses who were present in the Dades gamb-

ling establishment during the night and morning of Dee.

lst and 2nd, 1944, were called by the prosecuting attorney

as ‘eye-witnesses’:

James Dades (150-167), proprietor of the Club Aristocrat

at 69% South Saginaw, in the city of Pontiac, testified he

had previously been acquainted with Mahoney, Chivas,

Fleisher, and Mike Selik, and he told of their visit to his

club rooms a few weeks before the crime was committed.

On that occasion, he said (153-155), these men asked him

for a contribution for a brother of Fleisher to aid him in

his appeal from a criminal conviction. He offered them

$500 cash and a diamond ring, but the offer was rejected.

And he gave his version of how the robbery was per-

petrated, though he was somewhat hazy on the matter of

identification (155-167).

Philip Criss (236-249), a patror of the Dades establish-

ment, recalled the occasion, though he did not remember

the precise date; and he recounted how the robbery took

place, but he recognized only the respondent Chivas as

being present.

Chris Kocotas (250-261) was an employee in the Dades’

Club Aristocrat (250). He told of the events of that night;

he identified Luks (251), was not exactly sure of Abram-

owiez (252), was certain he saw Chivas (252 et seq.), and

he told of the defendants’ previous visit to the club (253).

Recalled (625-627) as a witness for Davidson, he said he

never saw the man any place in his life; and he testified

he was on the floor when the three men came in.

—%—

Henry Polenis (261-270), a hanger-on about the Dades’

Club, a man with a criminal record, was present-there the

night of Dec. 1-2, 1944, and at 3:00 a.m. He saw Chivas,

bat not the others (266).[6]

. Louis Armos (270-275), an oecasional visitor at Dades’

Club, testified he was there about 1:30 a.m. December 1,

1944 (270), and he told of Chivas’ connection with the mat-

ter (271-272) but he failed to reeognize Luks (272).

George Giotopoulas (275-284), a bartender at the Lion

Cafe, who gambled at Dades’ place, was there the fore part

of December 1944; he identified Luks as one of the robbers,

and he told of Chivas’ connection with the transaction.

James Pruzor (285-316) testified he came to Pontiac from

Detroit in 1936. Present in the Dades place the morning of

December 3, 1944, from 3:00 o’clock on, he witnessed the

robbery which occurred about 3:30 a.m., he identified Chivas

and told of his connection with the affair, and he recog-

nized Luks and ‘Candy’ Davidson (285-290). He was cross-

examined on his antecedents (291-295), on his memory,

concerning previous meetings with Davidson (296-297),

and in regard to his previous record (299-305).

[16]

This was the witness who, with canny foresight, saved his $1400 by

hiding in the toilet and locking himself in.

—7—7—~"—"

—37—

3

Theory of defendants, as explained in court’s

charge to jury (993-1023) :

Harry Fleisher:

As explained by the court when instructing the jury

(1003-1004), the theory of defendant Fleisher, based on his

plea of not guilty and testimony adduced in his behalf, was

that he first met the defendant Selik and became his friend .

in the early part of 1944; that for two years last past he

had been a very close friend of Mahoney; that he first met

Abramowitz and Luks in the fall of 1944; and that his

acquaintance with Chivas was only casual.

Although he had been engaged in bootlegging during the

prohibition era (1916-1932), although after repeal he con-

tinued illegally to distill alcohol, and although he had

gambled, he was not & robber or a man who attempted to

‘muscle in’? on anyone. And he had at no time or place

entered into any unlawful agreement with Abramowitz

and Luks to commit a robbery in the city of Pontiac.

Fleisher also denied he had anything to do with the crime

charge in the information, and he claimed the matter was

first called to his attention after his arrest in connection

with the Hooper murder case on April 20, 1945.

He admitted he had heard of Abramowitz being hurt, but

he said he had no eccasion to remember particularly his

whereabouts on the night of December 1 or the early morn-

ing of December 2, 1944, e pecially after the passage of

some five months or more; and that usually on Friday nights

he was at home for his family dinner.

a

— =

Fleisher made no claim, however, that he positively re-

membered that night or his exact whereabouts, and he stated

that that was reasonable considering the fact that nothing

occurred on that night, as far as he was concerned, which

would cause him to remember it any more than any other

Friday or Saturday night, except that was his best recol-

lection that he learned of Sam Abramowitz being inured

on Saturday, December 2nd, 1944, but he had no idea or

knowledge that his injury occurred by reason of any un-

lawful act.

This defendant further claimed that even though he were

engaged in the gambling business with Mahoney for the

past two years, such association was merely that of a friend

and gambler, and he was not guilty of the charge made

against him.

Myron Selik:

It was the claim of defendant Selik (1004-1007) that he

was not guilty of the charge against him; and that he at

no time or place entered into an unlawful agreement to

commit the crime charged in the information.

He admitted several convictions of felony and misde-

meanor, but urged he had paid the full penalty for robbery,

armed, and unlawfully driving away an automobile without

intent of steal.

After his release from prison on December 3rd, 1943, he

was employed by his brother Charles in his saloon at Dex-

ter and Boston boulevards, Detroit, until his arrest on April

20, 1945.

On August 24, 1944, he married his wife and was still '

living with her.

|

He admitted that he had, in his free hours, three or four

days a week, gambled in a club on 12th street, but he con-

tended that by this fact he could not now be condemned.

He also admitted that he was, on July 31, 1945, convicted

of the crime of conspiracy to kill and murder Warren G.

Hooper, from which conviction he had appealed.

Selik denied he ever had any agreement with Luks and

Abramowitz, or anyone else, to have Luks and Abramo-

witz and others commit the hold-up in this case, and he

denied any participation in or knowledge thereof, profess-

ing that his only connection with the case was when he was

called by Luks at an early hour on the morning of Satur-

day, Dec. 2, and advised by Luks that Abramowitz was hurt

and in Harper hospital and needed help.

Thereupon, he claimed, he told Luks to meet him in Green-

feld’s restaurant; and that, after dressing, he immediately

proceeded there and met Luks, who informed him that

Abramowitz was in the hospital by reason of some alter-

cation with negroes.

He testified that he thereupon called the Harper hospital

and was informed, upon his inquiry, that within a short

time Abramowitz would be able to be removed from that

institution; that he called his personal physician and Pete

Mahoney, informing the latter of the circumstances and

requesting him to get a room in the Strathmore hotel where

the injured friend could be taken.

Shortly thereafter Mahoney appeared at the Greenfield

restaurant, in company with him, Selik, without any knowl-

edge whatever of the crime Luks and Abramowitz had com-

mitted, left Luks in the restaurant and went forth in a cab

to Harper hospital, a short distance away. After a short

—30—

wait, Abramowitz came out of the elevator, the fee due

was paid for service rendered him, and a tip was given to

the orderly, Lutz.

Abramowitz was apparently in a weakened condition, his

hands were bandaged; and Selik and Mahoney thereupon

took Abramowitz to Greenfield’s restaurant and attempted

to aid him in regaining some strength by feeding him milk.

It became apparent to Selik (he claimed) that Abramo-

witz, by reason of his weakened condition, could not and

should not be left alone in a hotel room; and he claimed

that he took Abramowitz to his home and repaid in kind

the treatment he received from Abramowitz when he him-

self was accidently injured in Chicago in 1936.

After Abramowitz was taken to Selik’s apartment along

with Luks, he was attended by Selik’s wife, Naomi, until

some time Monday (December 4th).

At no time while Abramowitz was in Selik’s apartment

did the latter have any knowledge that Abramowitz had

received him injuries: other than as Abramowitz had re-

lated to him; he claimed he had absolutely no knowledge

that Abramowitz had participated in a robbery, or that

he had on his person between $150 and $170, but admitted

he gave Abramowitz $50 as a loan for medical expenses.

And he claimed he most certainly would not have given him

the money had he known Abramowitz had $150 or more in

his pocket.

Pete Mahoney:

It was the claim of Pete Mahoney (1002-1003) that he

was innocent of the crime charged against him and that he

had no knowledge of, nor participation in the robbery of

S—7~”"

_

the Aristocrat Club, and that the charge against him had

not been established by the evidence.

Mahoney further claimed that, to the best of his knowl-

edge, neither Luks nor Abramowitz were ever in his place

at 2423 Woodward avenue, Detroit; that none of the de-

fendants was there during the evening of December 1, 1944,

and that he has never met with anyone or participated in

any plans or discussions concerning the commission of any

crime or violence on December 1, 1944, or on any other

date.

It was his further claim that on the night of December

1, 1944, he was busy at his place of business on Woodward

avenue, Detroit, until about 2:30 a.m. the following day,

and he had not been away from there that night. He then

went downstairs to the Hi-Wood restaurant and, after

eating, proceeded to his residence at the Strathmore hotel

where he retired and remained. And he claimed that he

received a call from Mike Selik about 5:30 a.m., December

2, 1944.

And it was further the claim of Mahoney that he was

not in Pontiac at any time after the visit to the Dades place

on or about October 15, 1944, until he heard that a warrant

had been issued in this cause.

William W. Davidson:

It was the claim of the respondent Davidson (1002) that

he was not guilty of the crime charged against him, and that

the evidence did not establish such guilt. He did not take

the stand in his own behalf.

= eI

4

Testimony for Defense

In behalf of Fleisher-

Selik:

Both Harry Fleisher (703-749) and Myron (‘Mike’) Selik

(766-807) took the stand, each testifying in his own behalf

to facts which, if believed, would sustain his theory as set

forth in part ‘3’, ante, and maintain his innocence. It need

not be repeated here.

Other witnesses were called by their counsel and testi-

fied in substance as follows:

Joseph Marlow (695-703), a Detroit police patrolman as-

signed to the 13th precinct station on East Canfield between

Woodward and John R., while on scout car duty the night

of December 1-2, 1944, testified (695) that the district around

Harper hospital, east of Woodward pas: John R Street

and for over a mile or a mile-and-a-half east, and north and

south for miles, is a solid colored district.

He testified (696-698) that early in the morning of De-

cember 2, 1944, he was called to Harper hospital where

he saw Sam Abramowitz and investigated his injuries.

Abramowitz told him he had been held up on Elliott street

by a couple of colored fellows who came along and had

attempted to rob him in the car; that a battle started and

he broke the glass in the car and jumped out of the door

of the car; and that he got his injury from the glass when

he broke the door. The story sounded logical to him be-

cause of his experiencé in examining such people while

investigating. ‘You get to know when fellows are telling

the truth and you can put things together and you can see

whether he is lying or not’ (608).

spills

From his story, Abramowitz was walking on Elliott be-

tween John R and Brush which is a colored neighborhood.

An oceurrence of the kind reported by him is definitely not

unusual. It happens very often down there.

On cross-examination, the witness testified (699-700) that

Abramowitz told him the attempted robbery occurred at

4:15 a.m.; that Abramowitz also stated that during the fight

with the colored men he was cut with a knife on his right

and left arms (699), and that he could give no description

of his assailants (700).

On re-direct and further cross-examination (701-703), the

witness testified that :f he had not believed Abramowitz

the officers would have communicated with the detective

bureau and there would have been further investigation.

But because that type of thing happens in this particular

district so frequently, he just concluded ‘well’ here is just

another one of those cases’ (701). It was very common

and there was nothing unusual that caused him to suspect

Abramowitz because he didn’t know the name of the man

who picked him up. He guessed it was a good story ( 702).

Orie Barry (750), an employee of the Greenfield restaur-

rant, where the wounded Abramowitz was brought by his

friends during the early morning hours of December 2,

1944, testified to the seating capacity of the restaurant,

its schedule of service, and the number of people served

that morning.

In behalf of Mahoney:

Pete Mahoney (534-538; 550-572; 576-617) testified at

length in his own behalf in substantiation of the theory

set forth in part ‘3’, ante, and to facts which if believed

by the jury would have led to his acquittal.

—

—34—

Other witnesses were examined, of course, and parts of

their testimony (having little to do with the facts of the

case itself) bearing on the whereabouts of Hyman Niskar,

or in relation to other facts relevant to the questions in-

volved, will be considered in argument.

In behalf of Davidson:

Davidson did not take the stand in his own behalf, but

he added testimony in the nature of an alibi.

Olivia Ann Davidson (617-625), his wife, after reciting

their antecedents (617-618), testified in substance that

around October 1, 1944, they registered in the Strathmore

hotel, Detroit, and stayed there one night; then they moved

in with some friends and lived at 3708 14th street in that

city.

During October, November and December 1944 her hus-

band, the respondent Davidson was incepacitated with a

left broken ankle, and was unable to walk around without

the-help of artificial means; he was on crutches quite a

while and then used a cane; and he remained in that con-

dition during those three months until they left Detroit

im January, went to Toledo, stayed there two or three days,

visited several other cities and arrived in California the

first part of July 1945. They lived there under the name of

Daniels (619).

She was in California when her husband was arrested.

He did nothing to conceal himself ; and in yacking his clothes

on numerous occasions she had never seen a pistol in his

possession or belongings, nor had she ever seen him with

a pistol.

—

On cross-examination (619-625) the witness was closely

questioned in relation to her husband’s gambling activi-

ties and their journeys about the country; and she admitted

at its close (625) that Davidson had never done a day’s

work other than gambling ‘because that is about the only

thing he does’.

Dr. Simpson W. Green (627-631) testified to the effect that

Davidson had visited his office on October 10, 1944; that he

had an injury to his left ankle which was enormously swol-

len, and he carried a cane. The witness sent him to Dr.

Blodgett for an X-ray but he never saw the plates.

Dr. William W. Blodgett (632-650) testified Davidson

came to his office in the Kales building, Detroit, October

12, 1944; his left ankle was swollen and restricted in motion

but in fairly good relation to the leg (633), and the witness

proceeded to read from his notes describing its conditions

Davidson, he said, was to return in two days for re-

strapping of the ankle, but he failed to do so and the

doctor’s office was unable to get in communication with

him until recently.

X-rays were sent to the witness by technicians in De-

troit, and they showed broken bones (637). Examination

some two weeks before the witness testified, indicated heal-

ing of the angle (638).

Cross-examined (639-643), the witness-physician testified

: (643) that Davidson, if an average case, would be getting

: around by the 2nd of December.

On re-direct (644-649) and re-cross (649-650) he gave tes-

timony to the effect that if the ankle did not receive proper

treatment, as he instructed, ‘the foot might continue to be

oaliicn.

bad up until the present time, or indefinitely, whereas if

the normal relation was restored, . . . them the foot in a

reasonable time would function well again’ (649). At pres-

ent it was in good condition, indicating good treatment.

Dr. E. Walter Hall (650-662) testified as an X-ray special-

ist and answered numerous and lengthy hypothetical ques-

tions in relation to the conditions of Davidson’s ankle.

Orris Leonard (662-669; 679-682) was a bartender who

during October to December 1944 and through January

1945 worked at the Uptown Club, Detroit. He met the

Davidsons at the home of his wife’s mother, and he saw

Davidson, who occupied a room there, every day during

that period of time. And he drove Davidson around in his

automobile (662-663).

Davidson used crutches about four weeks and thereafter

used a cane. When the Davidson couple left Detroit in

January 1945, his ankle, from outward appearances, was

swollen and bandaged.

IV

Summary of the Argument.

Counsel raise five specific questions involving (1) the

scope of cross-examinations, (2) the trial judge’s interroga-

tion in chambers, in the absence of the defendants or their

counsel, and without their knowledge, of a member of the

jury concerning a chance, out-of-court meeting during the

progress of the trial between petitioners and the juror,

(3) certain instruction to the jury in a supplemental charge,

(4) alleged prejudicial remarks of the prosecuting attorney

about a separate criminal prosecution, (5) further alleged

_

—37—

prejudicial statements of the prosecuting officer, and (6)

petitioner claims that ‘‘the cumulative effect of many im-

proprieties by the prosecution and/or trial court resulted

in an unfair trial’’. Therefore, it is argued, the petitioner

(in each instance and in the cumulative effect of such errors)

was denied due process of law.

Our answer to each question is that in few of such epi-

sodes did the petitioner specially set up or claim any right

or privilege under the Constitution of the United States

(such claims when made were in the most general terms);

that the challenged rulings upon evidence, remarks and

instructions did not deprive the petitioner of a trial ‘‘ac-

cording to the accepted course of legal proceedings”’ and

that petitioner has failed to show convincingly, essential

unfairness in this criminal trial. Buchalter v. New York,

319 U.S. 427.

The Argument

Alleged curtailing of cross-examination.

This question arose (226-227) during the re-cross exami-

nation of the people’s witness Henry Luks, by counsel for

petitioner.

Counsel for Mahoney directed Luks’ attention to the fact

that he (the witness) had stated the day before that the

reason he went (from the train) to Mahoney’s place was

because it was the nearest place. Counsel then asked the

—33—

witness whether that morning he had told counsel for

Fleisher-Selik that the reason he went there was because

he thought it was the nearest place where he could contact

Selik and the rest of the fellows.

“*Mr. Sigler: Now, if the court please, I submit that

is improper. Jt is so trivial it is silly’’.

Counsel objected to the foregoing italicized remark, and

there followed this colloquy (227):

“The Court: Of course, you are asking about a very

minor detail and a very slight irregularity.

Mr. Bond: I was predicating another question on

this particular one.

The Court: What I am getting at, you are dealing

with things that are very vnimportant to find some

deviation that probably is very important.

Q. Very well, your honor. Then I will ask this ques-

tion. On other occasions you had gone to Detroit from

Lansing, previous to that time, you had gone to

O’Larry’s bar, is that correct?

A. That is right’’.

There the matter dropped, and counsel did not move the

court to strike out the remark or instruct the jury to dis-

regard it.

Moreover, the court, in controlling cross-examination,

did not abuse his discretion in sustaining the prosecutor’s

objection to this unimportant line of inquiry. The devia-

tion in the testimony of this witness was trivial indeed.

——7_7—V“~

— =

There are further answers to the claim that this ‘‘cur-

tailment of cross-examination’’ denied due process of law.

1. At the time the incident eccurred, it will be noted

(226-227), counsel’s objection was directed to the remark

of the prosecutor, and he did not contend that the court had

unduly restricted his cross-examination, much less did coun-

sel specially claim or set up any constitutional right.

In petitioner’s motion (1067) for new trial, such claims

were asserted only in a general way, and his 24th assign-

ment of error (reason and ground of appeal) merely quoted

(1165) the foregoing excerpt (226-227) from the record.

2. Moreover, this witness had been closely cross-exam-

ined by counsel for this petitioner (189-193), as well as by

counsel for other defendants (193-199, 200-201, 201-225),

and we respectfully submit the trial judge did not abuse

his discretion in considering the subject exhausted.

Michigan courts leave the extent of cross-examination to

the sound discretion of the trial judge,!16] and the federal

courts of that district and circuit adhere to this rule,07)

though with one qualification peculiar to the courts of the

United States.{181

[16]

People v. Higgins, 127 Mich. 291: People v. Vanderhoof, 234 Mich. 419;

People v. Watson, 307 Mich. 596, cert. denied, 323 U.S. 749, rehearing de-

nied, 328 U.S. 815.

[17]

James v. United States, 16 F. 2d 125; Banning v. United States, 130 F.

24 330, certiorari denied, 317 U.S. 695.

{18}

Limiting scope of cross-examination on matters not involved in direct

examination. Banning v. United States, supra: Cajiafas v. United States,

38 F. 24 8. ;

—49—

We respectfully submit there is no substance to the first

question raised by the petitioner.

2

Interrogation of juror.

On the third day of December, 1945, as the case neared

its close, the court conducted an investigation in chambers

with respect to the conduct of a member of the jury (876-

882), the court stenographer being present at all times 21d

reporting the entire interview.

Information had come to the court that one of the parties

connected with the lawsuit may have had some contact with

the juror; whereupon the juror proceeded somewhat loqua-

ciously to narrate her experience which, when boiled down,

amounted to this: One day, while driving into Pontiac, her

ear stalled, and she motioned to the car in back of her and

the driver pushed her; when he came along she said to her

companion: ‘Oh, I think that is Pete Mahoney’; she thought

the state police was in the car, in the back seat (876-877).

Mahoney didn’t say anything, and the juror didn’t get a

chance to thank him because he went so fast. Mike Selik

and Mahoney were in the front seat. Not one word was

said (877). She continued (878):

‘*He didn’t say anything, he just as he pushed me

in, he says: ‘Jesus, I hope nobody sees us’, that is all

he said’’.

It is apparent from his testimony (878) that she told

other members of the jury about the incident.

The court informed the juror there was no state police-

man in the car; the defendants were at liberty on bail (880).

—

—

He also wanted her to know that no one in the case had

anything to do with the inquiry so she would not be won-

dering who in the case had been ‘squealing to the judge’,

and she replied: ‘In my mind, I thought, he has told Ken-

nedy and trying to make something out of it’ (881). And

the court told her he wanted her to get that out of her

mind.

We respectfully submit that such an inquiry, conducted

in the presence of the court reporter, was both permissible

and harmless. The court would, we think, have been dere-

lict in his duty had he failed to investigate the matter. Nor

has it been made to appear that prejudice to the defendant

Mahoney resulted therefrom. There is no evidence to show

that the juror felt unkindly toward Mahoney because of

the incident. Why should she? The man had merely treated

her with courtesy, and the court, in conducting his investi-

gation, gave no indication that the conduct of Mahoney was

subject to criticism.

Nor was this question raised in its federal constitutional

aspect.{19] The petitioner’s counsel in the court below

averred (1071) in his 25th ground for new trial (motion,

1067-1073) ‘‘That the court erred in privately questioning

two jurywomen relative to’’ the foregoing incident, and in

his 22nd reason and ground for appeal (1165), he predi-

cated error ‘‘because the defendants and appellants were

prejudiced by the action of the court in interrogating a

[19]

Although petitioner stated (1160) as his first assignment of error in the

most general terms that the defendants had been denied their constitutional

rights, he did not contend in his specific assignment on this particular

point, that such a right or privilege was specially set up or claimed, 28

U.S.C., Revised, § 1257.

43...

member of the jury etc.’’, but he did not claim that a con-

stitutional right guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment

had thereby been abrogated or infringed.

Supplemental charge to jury.

After the jury had deliberated for approximately 27

hours, and after hearing certain testimony read to them

at their request, they were instructed as follows:

‘*The Court: We have done the most we can to assist

you in regard to your statement. If there are any others

you should find necessary, you may request them the

same as you have in this instance.

‘*T think, however, in order that you may give each

other respectful consideration, not implying you have

not done so already, but I think I should give you at

least a further instruction that may have some bearing

on situations of this kind, which I have given on other

occasions where jurors have difficulty in reconciling

their differences as to testimony and I shall do so at

this time.

‘*The Court instructs the jury that the only mode

provided by our Constitution and laws for deciding

questions of fact in criminal cases, is by the verdict

of a jury. In a large proportion of cases, and perhaps,

strictly speaking, in all cases, absolute certainty can-

not be attained or expected. Although the verdict to

which a juror agrees must of course be his own ver-

dict, the result of his own convictions, and not a mere

acquiescence in the conclusions of his fellows, yet, in

ee

ae

order to bring twelve minds to a unanimous result,

you must examine the questions submitted to you with

with candor and with a proper regard and deference

to the opinions of each other. You should consider that

the case should at some time be decided; that you are

selected in the same manner, and from the same sources,

from which any future jury must be; and there is no

reason to suppose that the case will ever be submitted

to twelve men and women more intelligent, more im-

partial, or more competent to decide it, or that more

or clearer evidence will be produced on the one side

or the other. And with this in view, it is your duty

to decide the case, if you can conscientiously do 80.

In order to make a decision more practicable, the law

imposes the burden of proof on one party or the other,

in all cases. In the present case, the burden of proof

is upon the people to establish every part of it, beyond

a reasonable doubt, and if, in any part of it, you are

left in doubt, the defendant is entitled to the benefit of

the doubt, and must be acquitted. But, in conferring

together, you ought to pay proper respect to each

other’s opinions, and listen, with a disposition to be

convinced, to each other’s arguments. And, on the one

hand, if much the larger number of your panel are for

a conviction, a dissenting juror should consider whether

a doubt in his own mind is a reasonable one which

makes no impression upon the minds of so many men,

equally honest, equally intelligent with himself, and

who have heard the same evidence, with the same at-

tention, with an equal desire to arrive at the truth,

and under the sanction of the same oath. And, on the

other hand, if a majority are for acquittal the minority

ought seriously to ask themselves whether they may

not reasonably, and ought not to doubt the correct-

ness of a judgment, which is not concurred in by most

| of those with whom they are associated; and distrust

—14._

the weight or sufficiency of that evidence which fails

to carry conviction to the minds of their Lellows.

‘*Now, I ask you to remember the elements of the

case as presented. Go over the testimony as may per-

tain to the various respondents in this case and try

conscientiously and honestly in your Own convictions

Shortly thereafter, the jury returned their verdict (55,

1060) finding all the defendants guilty,

Petitioner claims that this instruction was coercive.

We contend that it was not.

We believe the general rule was well stated in 38 Cye,

page 1762,

‘“*The Court may impress upon the jury the propriety

and importance of coming to an agreement, and har.

reasonably urge an agreement, its discretion does not

extend to the limit of coercion,’

The court must not tell an individual juror to give up

his own view and agree with the majority,

=~7~—V—~Y—™™

dion

On the other hand, it is improper to instruct the juror

that he should hold to his own view against the others and

not listen to the opinions and arguments of other members

of the jury with an open mind. It is the duty of the in-

dividual jurors to discuss the evidence and give their views

as to the same and to deliberate upon such matters before

arriving at a decision. (See People v. Good, 99 Mich. 620)

In People v. DeMeauax, 194 Mich. 18, after the jury had

deliberated for a period of time and had been unable to

arrive at a verdict, the court told them.

‘*It is your sworn duty to arrive at a verdict.’’

The Michigan court very properly reversed the conviction

in that case because the instructions to the jury gave them

a wrong view of the law and were definitely coercive. If

the jury must, at all odds, render a verdict and some of the

members could not conscientiously agree to the result, it

would not be a unanimous verdict of all the jurors.

The court below, after stating the question presented

as follows ‘‘in the briefs on this appeal’’, 322 Mich. 488,

followed the opinion of the Court in People v. Chivas, 322

Mich. 384, decided the same day in a connected case based

upon the same record though in a separate appeal. In

Chivas, supra, 322 Mich. at 395, the Court, speaking of the

supplemental charge to the jury, well said:

‘In our opinion the court did not tell the jury that

it was their duty to agree upon a verdict or tell an

individual juror that he must give up his own views’

and agree with the majority. The jury was instructed

to deliberate upon the matters in issue with an open

mind, giving due credii to the opinions of others. The

jurors were also instructed that the verdict must be

eee

—

a.

the individual verdict of each juror and be the result

of his own convictions, We are unable to find any

coercion in the instructions given’’,

We cannot agree with counsel that consideration can

properly be given to the affidavit of Juror Grogan (1085.

1087), for, upon reading them, the cases cited do not sup-

port such a contention, Tt cannot be said that the affidavit

in question was testimony ‘‘in denial or explanation of acts

or declarations outside the jury room’ or that it related

“external causes tending to disturb the exercise of deliber-

ate and unbiased judgment’’,[20] nor can it be said that the

Grogan affidavit bore ‘‘upon the existence of an extraneous

influence (the unsolicited, supplemental charge in question)

that may have affected this jury’s verdict’? (petitioner’s

brief, p. 30).

a |

Alleged improper remarks,

In relating this incident, counsel depart from the record

somewhat, especially in his reference to the case of Hooper

and the manner in which it was drawn into the record.

The State’s witness Abramowitz was under severe crogs-

examination (484-486) by counsel for Fleisher-Selik, who

See also Hyde y. United States, 225 U.S. 347, holding, last headnote, that

“where the jury render a verdict within the issues, testimony of jurors

themselves should not be received to show matters which essentially inhere

in the verdict and necessarily can receive no corroboration”. Such is the

situation here.

a

endeavored to the best of his ability to bring the Hooper

murder-conspiracy case before the jury. He had asked the

witness whether after the 27th day of March 1945, when

he was arrested, the witness was told by police officers that

a picture of himself had been picked out by a Mrs. Iris

Brown, the manager of a tavern in Albion, Michigan, and

identified as looking like the man who was in her bar-room

in Albion on the 11th day of January. The witness did not

recall it, and counsel] asked him: ‘You certainly would re-

member that’? (485).

—- =

This remark of defense counsel was objected to by the

prosecutor and a heated argument ensued during the course

of which the prosecutor stated (486):

‘As a matter of fact, a Mrs. Brown picked out Pete

Mahoney as being in that bar’’.

Counsel for Mahoney claimed this to have been fatal,

and he contended that the court erred in denying his motion

for a mistrial (527), urging that the remark of the prose-

cutor implied that Mahoney had been identified as the pos-

sible murderer of Senator Hooper.

1. We do not think the remark justified such an infer-

ence, or that the prosecutor intended so to imply. The court

had consistently refused to allow either side to delve into

the Hooper case, and we submit there was nothing in the

remark itself that could lead anyone to believe that Mahoney

had had the remotest connection with the Hooper murder.

2. The court at once, even before counsel could inter-

pose his objection, instrued the jury to disregard the re-

mark, and he ordered it stricken from the record (486);

counsel for Mahoney seemed satisfied with such a ruling,

and the conflict between counsel shifted to argument be-

_ =

tween Fleisher’s attorney and the prosecutor (487). It was

not until some time later (527) that Mahoney’s counsel

made his motion for mistrial.

We cannot accept counsel’s claim that this was a denial

of due process, and we respectfully submit that the infer-

ence which he draws, brief, pp. 37-41, are based largely on

speculation.

As this Court have said:f21)

‘*. . . ‘it is not asking too much that the burden of

showing essential unfairness be sustained by him who

claims such injustice and seeks to have the result set

aside, and that it be sustained not as a matter of specn-

lation but as a demonstrable reality.’ ’’.

Claim that prosecutor ‘‘testified’’ when

making certain remarks.

It appears from the opinion of the court below, 322 Mich.

at 483, 34 N.W. 2d at 19, headnote 6-8, that the appellants

urged three points relating to one Hyman Niskar and one

Eisner: (1) that the prosecution should have endorsed the

name of Niskar on the information as a res gestae wit-

ness, (2) that the court erred in denying motions for con-

tinuance until Niskar should be produced as such a wit-

ness, and (3) that the court abused discretion in denying

motions to strike and for a mistrial because of alleged

[21]

Adams v. McCann, 317 U.S. 269, 281, quoted with approval, Buchalter v.

New York, 319 U.S. 427, 431.

—

—49..

improper statements made by the proescutor relating to

the witness Eisner.

The incident upon which the present claim of denial of

due process rests, centers upon the latter phase of the ques-

tion, and upon the prosecutor’s remarks:

«_. prior to that day Mr. Eisner made certain claims

about his automobile’? (917); and again: ‘‘Prior to

that date Mr. Martin Eisner claimed one thing—’’

(918).

Without going into details, reference to the record (917-

919) will disclose, we respectfully submit, that the incident

occurred during the prosecutor’s re-direct examination

(917-925) of the witness Lyle Morse. The question which

started the argument (917) was this:

“Q. ... I will ask you whether or not prior to the

day you met Martin Eisner out here in the corridor

on the occasion he talked to me, if prior to that time

he had loaned his automobile to one of these defend-

ants?’’

There at once arose a heated discussion between coun-

sel over the objections raised to this question (917-919),

none of which need be repeated here. The question was

never answered. The court expressed the opinion (920)

that if the jury didn’t get the alleged prejudicial effect of

the question any better than he did, ‘because in the con-

fusion I didn’t know what was transpiring’. Further:

‘The Court: In the matter you are just speaking

of, I think you are attaching undue importance. I was

listening to the question for the purpose of ascertain-

ing the subject matter under consideration, and that

—50—

was when the name of Niskar was learned or when

his being was first known to officers . . . or to the prose-

eution. That is what I was listening for, and probably

because I was listening for that, I didn’t hear some of

the things you and Mr. Sigler said back and forth, but

I am sure if the jury didn’t hear more about it than

I did, there would be no prejudice’’.

We agree with the trial court that counsel were making

a mountain out of a mole hill.

And, we respectfully submit, it is still a mole hill.

Cumulative effect of specific instances

of alleged impropriety.

Since counsel does not argue his sixth question, but

merely states his position, brief, p. 48, we also refrain,

contenting ourselves with reference to the penultimate

paragraph of the opinion of the court below, 322 Mich.

at 489-490, 34 N.W. 2d at 22, headnote 17, and more esp.,

the following:

‘*Impaneling of the jury in this case began October

23, 1945, and with some intermissions the trial con-

tinued and was concluded December 7th. The con-

densed record on appeal contains nearly 1200 pages.

It is quite impossible in lengthy and vigorously con-

tested trials of this character to attain absolute per-

fection. Mere irregularities which occur at various in-

tervals during such trials do not justify reversal . . .

In the instant case we hold appellants were not de-

prived of fheir constitutional rights of a fair trial and

that the record abundantly supports their position’’.

We, therefore, respectfully submit, on the several grounds

asserted in this brief, that the petition for writ of cer-

tiorari to the Supreme Court of the State of Michigan

should be denied.

Respectfully Submitted,

Stephen J. Roth

Attorney General for the State

of Michigan

Edmund E. Shepherd

Solicitor General of the State of

Michigan