| Show JOHNSTON TRIAL NEA NEARING CLOSE State Ends Presentation of Its Testimony I TWIN FALLS Dec 7 The UP-The I state concluded today its presentation presenta presenta- tion of testimony through which it seeks to convict former Mayor Duncan Duncan Duncan Dun Dun- can M. M Johnston of murder A defense motion for a directed verdict of acquittal was denied im im- Irn- Irn mediately In his motion Defense Defense- Attorney E. E V. V Larson Larion contended the state had not proved th that the body found in a locked automobile was that of George L. L Olson Salt Lake City jewelry salesman He reviewed also what he termed the inconsistencies cies des of the states state's testimony District Judge James Porter ruled however i that the motion pertained to th the weight rather than to the sufficiency of the evidence and was wasa a matter for the jury to decide The court granted however permission permission permission per per- mission for defense attorneys to take the the jury jury to Johnstons Johnston's diamond shop and the basement in which the state claims much of its evidence was obtained In a brief summary of the defense case E. E L L. Rayborn co counsel told the jury we expect to show you that Mr Johnston paid the money he said sald he paid to Olson that Johnston Johnston Johnston John John- ston was at a a. filling station with Olson and that Olson was still and with friends at a carnival grounds at 1130 p. p m m. the night of May 21 He said also he would show Johnston's Johnstons Johnstons Johnston's Johnstons Johnston's John John- ston's whereabouts all the time durIng during during dur dur- ing October 20 21 1 and 22 Thus he intimated that the defense case would be based upon an alibi Mrs Lois Wilson widow of the slain man was called to the stand standby standby standby by the state and the defense quickly objected on the grounds she was not indorsed on the information as a witness The state then called E. E B. B Eldridge Eldridge Eldridge El- El dridge of Salt Lake City bookkeeper for Olsons Olson's employer the Decker company Eldridge testified he learned of Olsons Olson's death through the Associated Press on May 24 when the body was found He said Johnston called him from T Falls that morning an and said Continued on Page Pace Two Tw rj I C Column Six Jl JOHNSTON TRIAL NEARING 01 CLOSE HOC Continued from Page Pase One he ie was concerned because Olson had said he lie was going to Hailey and was coming back but had not returned Eldridge said he then asked Johnston to phone Hailey Halley and later received a telegraphic reply that Olson had not been there Eldridge said he then telephoned Johnston requesting him to contact police and start an immediate search The bookkeeper said he called again after Olsons Olson's body was found and told William Lavonde clerk in Johnstons Johnston's store to ask Johnston to assist assist in in cation Eldridge s said id Johnston Jonnston told him he had paid Olson and was worried because the payment was wasn in n cash Woman Testifies Bertha E. E Campbell dress shop operator in the building in which Johnstons Johnston's jewelry store was located beat beat- ed testified her entrance to the basement in which the asserted murder weapon and Olsons Olson's jewelry were found had not been used for years A trap affair on the floor she he said had been covered by lino- lino leum eum Through a number of state witnesses witnesses witnesses wit wit- nesses the prosecution has brought out that jewelry valued at was found hidden in the basement that hat a caliber 25 gun owned by the former mayor was cached there with keys to Olsons Olson's automobile and that Johnston was having financial difficulties |
