Oliver Submits New Retrial Data

Oliver Submits New Retrial Data

Convicted Torch Slayer Claims Quick Justice

A new affidavit in support of convicted torch murderer Frank Oliver's request for a retrial was submitted to the circuit court today by Oliver’s attorney, Walter M. Nelson of Detroit.

In it, Oliver once more affirmed that he was a victim of quick justice, that his constitutional rights were denied, and that he was an unwilling participant in the 1931 torch slayings of four young Ypsilantians.

Oliver was convicted—along with two other men—of holding up, murdering, and burning the gasoline-soaked bodies of two young couples they found parked in a car in a wooded grove near Ypsilanti.

Sentenced To life

All three were sentenced to four life imprisonment terms.

Oliver’s retrial petition was to have been heard by the circuit court on Jan. 28, but Nelson asked a postponement until March 4 so he could present additional information. The new data presumably was contained in today’s affidavit.

The affidavit was, in general, an attempt to refute an answer by Prosecutor Douglas K. Reading to Oliver’s original retrial request.

In that answer, Reading had contended Oliver's rights were fully protected, that he was advised by an attorney, and that he was not intimidated either by police or by a crowd which collected around the Courthouse.

Says Police Beat Him

Oliver today repeated his accusations that he was beaten by police and was in a "dazed and shocked” condition when brought before the court in 1931.

He said the only advice he received from an attorney appointed by the court to defend him was a hastily whispered message to plead guilty and throw himself on the mercy of the court.

He also asserted that he was asleep during the early part of the holdup-murder, did not know his two companions were armed or had criminal intentions, and was forced to carry out his part in the affair because he was "in fear” of his life.