Florenda Lee Merrigan

[Jool]

Miami Daily Arizona Silver Belt 13 September 1921

The jury was drawn for the first criminal case, that of T. J. Merrigan, charged with a statutory offence against a young girl.  The state will present it's evidence this afternoon.  The defense will try to establish a case of mistaken identity.  Merrigan is represented by Attorney Norman Johnson.

[chempat]

Myrtle may be the Myrtle Ethel Sanders who married Louis Mortimer Mounce in Gila County, AZ in 1926 (license date 9 November 1926).

The witnesses at the marriage were the Deans!

[MaureeninNY]

Myrtle may be the Myrtle Ethel Sanders who married Louis Mortimer Mounce in Gila County, AZ in 1926 (license date 9 November 1926).

The witnesses at the marriage were the Deans!

That seems to clinch it.

Seems like a very sad story- and whom to believe?

Maureen

[Jool]

T.J Merrigan may yet be innocent....

Miami Daily Arizona Silver Belt 14 September 1921

DEFENSE IN THE CASE OF T.J MERRIGAN
The state, in the case of T.J. Merrigan, charged with a statutory crime against a young girl, rested at noon today after having presented all of it's witnesses.  The defense will present its witnesses this afternoon, and the case will probably be argued before the jury by the respective attorneys tomorrow morning.  Attorney Johnson in the cross examination of the state's witness this morning, attempted to prove that the man arrested does not fit the description of the man who committed the crime, as testified to by the young girl's brother and sister.  The man was described as having gold teeth in his upper jaw, and a scar running from the lip in a diagonal direction across the chin.  The defendant, Merrigan, has neither gold teeth nor a diagonal scar on the chin.

[Jool]

Miami Daily Arizona Silver Belt 16 September 1921

MERRIGAN ACQUITTED IN 15 MINUTES ON FIRST BALLOT
A verdict of not guilty was returned by the jury in the case of the State vs T. J. Merrigan on the first ballot and in less than 15 minutes.  Norman Johnson in arguing before the jury established the fact that this was a case of mistaken identity.  The case has been before the court for three days.

[Jool]

Myrtle may be the Myrtle Ethel Sanders who married Louis Mortimer Mounce in Gila County, AZ in 1926 (license date 9 November 1926).

The witnesses at the marriage were the Deans!

Great find Chempat!

[Tara-Leigh]

Blimey You all are fantastic! So much to absorb and read. Now I'm going to try to find these articles and the Dean's and Florida census!

Once again you all hit the ball out of the park and I can't thank you enough!!!

I will post a follow up to all your hard work and fabulous finds ~

I can't thank you enough...

Love this forum....
Thanks to all
Tara

[chempat]

Interesting that it could be alleged who the father was on the birth information, presumably without his permission?

Belated Hello to Maureen.

[*Sandra*]

Flora Lee Dean (photograph)

Tampa Bay Times  St. Petersburg, Florida 4 Jun 1939, Sun  -   Page 12

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34848735/flora_lee_dean/

Sandra