May 18, 2025
"TRY TO LAY IT ALL
ON ME," SAYS SHARP.
SELF-STYLED "ADAM GOD" DE-
MANDS A HEARING.
Misunderstood Court Proceedings
Yesterday When Witnesses Were
Being Examined -- Change of
Venue Has Been Asked.
James Sharp, self-styled "Adam God," appeared as his own counsel in the criminal court yesterday afternoon. Disregarding protests from his attorneys, who tried to make him sit down, Sharp arose and interrupted a witness who was on the stand.
"Judge, your honor," said the leader of the fanatics, "haven't I got any right to say anything? I'd like to say something in my own behalf."
"You have your attorneys," said Judge Latshaw, for by this time Sharp was beginning to talk.
"OUGHT TO BE HEARD."
"I hear all this talk against me," resumed the fanatic, "but there's nothing said about these officers that tried to take my family from me. They shot at me from in front and from behind. If this is the house of God -- and the house of God is where they judge between the just and the unjust -- then I ought to be heard. That's the truth, and just the truth. They're trying to lay it all on me and not showing about these people who forced me into this."
"We are only seeing whether the people are prejudiced against you, Mr. Sharp," the court said. "You are not on trial right now."
"Excuse me, I see now," remarked Sharp and sat down.
The outburst from Sharp came after a number of witnesses had testified as to whether Sharp could get a fair trial in Jackson county. His attorneys had asked a change of venue for him and for Melissa Sharp, his wife, whose trial on the charge of killing Patrolman Michael Mullane was set for yesterday. Judge Latshaw gave the attorneys twelve witnesses to make their showing of prejudice. Nine were examined yesterday afternoon. The others and the state's witnesses are to be heard today.
LIKE A REAL TRIAL.
Should the court overrule the application for a change of venue, the selection of the jury will be begun at once.
It was all so much like a real trial yesterday that Sharp, seeing witness after witness take the stand, believed his trial was in progress. This is what prompted his address to the court. Throughout the testimony he sat by the side of his while listening intently to every question.
Sharp's beard has been allowed to grow, but otherwise he presents little change from his appearance last December, when he was first placed in the county jail. The most noticeable change is in the use of his hands when he speaks. Of old he waved them with many gestures, but now he holds them awkwardly. He was shot in both hands during the fight with officers. His wife's appearance has altered to no perceptible extent.
THE WITNESSES.
Among the witnesses examined yesterday were the following: Henry Hunt, a horseshoer at 1619 Grand avenue; W. W. Correll, special government agent, Thirteenth and Harrison; James Cole, W. R. Heath and L. M. Dempsey, attorneys; M. T. Crume, saloonkeeper at 1225 1/2 Grand avenue.
All of them were asked questions as to whether they believed the Sharps could have a fair trial in Jackson county. Practically all of them said many people believed the Sharps were insane. As the defense is to be insanity, this did not strongly back up the plea of prejudice. Unless the showing of the defense as to prejudice is materially strengthened today, the prospects are strongly against a venue change being granted. All the witnesses so far examined live in the city and nothing has been introduced to show that prejudice exists in the county outside city limits.
Labels: Adam God sect, courtroom, criminal court, Grand avenue, Harrison street, Judge Latshaw, police, Thirteenth street
