BROWN MURDER CASE-PUBLIC OPINION DIVIDED
AS TO GUILT OF JOE GREER

Indianapolis Sentinel; May 15, 1879

A motion to admit Mrs. Parrot and Joe Greer to bail by means of a writ 
of habeas corpus, was made today in circuit court. Judge Robinson set 
the case for Friday, May 23. Public opinion is inclined to fluctuate
as to the guilt of Joe Greer. The strong points against him are the
story Willard tells directly implicating him in the murder; the fact
that about two years ago Joe Greer and Wash Brown had a fight, and 
were never good friends afterward and the expectation that Brown
would make a will and disinherit Joe's wife. It is also thought to
be a suspicious circumstance that although Joe Greer lived over 20
miles from Brown's, where the murder took place, he went into the
neighborhood on the Sunday previous and did not leave until after
the commission of the crime. On the other hand it is said that 
Greer can prove an alibi. On the night of the murder he staid at
Lyman Greer's and a little boy slept with him and there was one
other person, if not more who slept in the same room. He will also
probably be able to prove a previous good character. The motion to
admit to bail will develop the testimony of the chief witnesses and
enable the defense to prepare for trial, if it does not have any
other purposes. Today Mrs. Parrott was attended in jail by her 
sister, Joe Greer's wife and Dr. Miller. Mrs. Parrott's arm was
dislocated at the shoulder. It seems she met with an accident once
that dislocated her arm and since that time it is easily put out of 
place.

Submitted by Debbie Jennings