Myers Denies Participation In Assault

Myers Denies Participation In Assault

Declares He Sought To Dissuade Morey From Slugging Nurse

Eighteen-year-old Daniel E. Myers of Ypsilanti testified this morning in circuit court that he "didn’t want any part” of the proposed assault on University Hospital Nurse Shirley Mackley in front of Couzens Hall on the night of Sept. 11.

The youth is charged with armed assault with intent to rob in connection with the slugging, which Myers said was suggested by William R. Morey III, now serving a life prison term for the mallet-slaying of Nurse Pauline A. Campbell.

Myers told the jury, “Bill (Morey) mentioned it (the idea to attack one) when he saw a nurse walking along. He said, ‘Let’s hit and rob one.’

Tried To Dissuade Him

”I tried to talk him out of it,” Myers insisted. "I told him it was foolish and I didn't want any part of it."

The youth’s testimony came late this morning after a series of character witnesses called by Myers' attorney, Louis E. Burke.

Prosecutor Douglas K. Reading rested the state’s case yesterday afternoon.

Among the prosecution witnesses were Sgt. Harold Olson and Patrolman Walter DeDula of the Ann Arbor Police Department who questioned the three youths on the night of the Mackley assault in connection with a reported fight in downtown Ann Arbor.

No Drinking Noted

Both officers said none of the trio appeared to have been drinking. Morey, testifying yesterday, said he had drunk several bottles of beer, as had Jacob Max Pell of Ypsilanti, also convicted of the Campbell murder.

Myers said he, Morey and Pell had been out driving in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Milan on the night of Sept. 11 before returning to Ann Arbor late that evening on Morey’s advice.

“He thought we might find some girls over there,” Myers

Witnesses who vouched for Myers’ "reputation in the community in which he resides’’ were Norris G. Wiltsie, principal of Ypsilanti High School, George R. Cavender, director of instrumental music in Ypsilanti schools in whose orchestra Myers played first violin: Rev. M. Donald Currey, pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church in Ypsilanti; and George O. Boone who had known Myers in the DeMolay organization.