Shadow on the Hill: The True Story of a 1925 Kansas Murder by Diana Staresinic-Deane

Author:Diana Staresinic-Deane [Staresinic-Deane, Diana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: 20th Century, History, Murder, Non-Fiction, State & Local, True Crime, United States
ISBN: 9781456614515
Google: iOcd_nQczV0C
Amazon: B00C5TUC6G
Publisher: eBookIt.com
Published: 2013-04-01T23:00:00+00:00

“Your honor, George Eaton, the Kansas City bloodhound man, has failed to appear. Again,” Owen Samuel reported immediately after the doors to the courtroom opened.

“Sheriff Hunter? Did you reach Mr. Eaton yesterday?” Judge Richardson asked.

“Yesterday morning he said he would come straightaway if one hundred dollars was wired to him to cover his expenses,” Hunter said.

“Which we did,” Samuel said.

“Which we did,” the sheriff agreed. “After which, we couldn’t reach him. And the next thing we heard was that he left Kansas City, Kansas, for Kansas City, Missouri, and he wouldn’t return home until evening.”

“This is ridiculous,” the judge said. “This is a criminal case. He does not have the luxury of deciding when he’s going to show up.” Judge Richardson folded his hands in front of him. “I’m issuing a bench warrant. Sheriff, have one of your men travel to Kansas City to apprehend Mr. Eaton.”

*****

Sam Shoup wondered how many more times he and his wife would have to make themselves available for John Knoblock’s trial. Colder weather was expected that evening, and there were chores to see to before the rain and sleet moved in. Yet he was in this courtroom, answering questions he’d answered a dozen times before.

Shoup adjusted the cuffs in his coat sleeves, placed his hands in his lap, and directed his gaze toward Knoblock’s defense attorney, as if granting Owen Samuel permission to begin.

“Mr. Shoup, were you in the company of John Knoblock the Sunday morning after the murder?” Owen Samuel asked.

“Yes.”

“And did you enter the first-floor bedroom that morning?”

“I went in, along with John Kellerman and his wife and John Knoblock. Johnnie’s little boy needed clothes. I was in there when Johnnie picked up the overalls and shirt for the boy.”

“And did you see the razor at that time?”

“The razor was laying on the floor, open. The blade was turned back a little. We left it there,” Shoup said.

“What did you do then?”

“The clothes were taken to the Mozingos, and Roger was dressed. We were in the Knoblock house only a few minutes.”

“Mr. Shoup,” said Fred Harris during the cross-examination, “Did you tell anyone about the razor?”

“I didn’t mention it to anyone, and I didn’t hear any of the others mention it.”

“Do you realize that your testimony today is different than the testimony at the preliminary hearing?”

“Objection!” Both Owen Samuel and W. C. Harris stood simultaneously.

“The state is hoping to impeach Mr. Shoup for his varying statements in different examinations,” Fred Harris, the prosecutor from Ottawa, said in his most matter-of-fact voice.

Shoup cocked an eyebrow.

“Sustained,” Judge Richardson said.

When Sam Shoup was dismissed, he stood, calm and confident. Nothing would come of the prosecution’s threats. They wouldn’t dare touch him.

*****

Dr. Albert N. Gray was back on the witness stand. “Mr. Knoblock was restless, very talkative, and anxious,” Dr. Gray told the jury. “I arrived at the house at about two-twenty and had the opportunity to observe him for an hour to an hour and a half. He appeared to be suffering from shock following the loss of his wife.

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