Telegraph-Forum from Bucyrus, Ohio • 3

Friday, February 5, 2010 1 Telegraph-Forum LOCAL STATE LOCAL NEWS 1 3A court again rejected the claim, this time on Nov. 10, ending hopes for clemency. At 7:14 p.m., Blanton Ralls was led to the electric chair, wearing shined shoes, pressed pants, a white shirt and tie. As he was strapped into the chair, he said, "May God bless Rev. Hardrock, who gave those nice words to me." Aminute later, he was dead.

TheaitwasWalter'stum. "Gendemen, may I talk? Walter asked, and was granted permission. "It seems to be about the last and I'mfacing it without fear because I know Jesus is here with me," Walter said. "I hold no ill will toward anyone. I was not the murderer of the sheriff.

I have tried to prevail upon my nephew, who, I believe has gone to rest He admitted to me that he fired the shot" One minute later, Walter Ralls was dead, too. dcluttet9nncogannett.com 419-563-9225 Execution From page 1A lips gathered three different times around the jail today only to be broken up by city policemen." Extra security was called in to calm the situation. Shortly after Davenport's murder, the three Ralls were being questioned at the Crawford County Jail by Prosecutor J.D. Sears, when Elijah jumped out an open window and began running, zig-zagging through the trees in an effort to escape. But he didn't get far.

Elijah Ralls was shot and killed by D.R. Wood, a Pennsylvania Railroad detective who was part of the extra security detail in town. One of the most anticipated murder trials in Crawford County history convened in March, 1931. The Ralls' defense attorneys were Arlen Wisman and Elmer Lutz, of Bucyrus, and Louis Kreiter, of Galion. Guilty verdicts were returned and the jury recommended the death penalty.

Common pleas judge Clarence U.Ahl agreed, sentencing the remaining two defendants to die Jury 23. That date was delayed after the three attorneys filed an appeal with the Ohio Supreme Court The court rejected the appeal and set Oct 14 as the new execution date. During their time on death row, it was said Walter Ralls became more religious, spending long hours reading the Bible. "I trust in the will of God, and I don't think he will see me die for something I didn't do," he said. "I never killed anyone, and I never thought of killing anyone." Ten minutes before the execution, a statement by Blanton Ralls to Ohio Governor George White, accusing his deceased uncle Elijah of killingDavenport, caused the governor to issue a two-week stay.

"Uncle Walter and I were in bed, uncle Elijah came up and said that the officers were coming," Blanton said in the statement "Uncle Walter jumped out of bed, he picked up a rifle. Someone put a flashlight on him. "Uncle Walter did not aim or shoot but tried to run through a door. Uncle Elijah, who was somewhere in the room, did the shooting. I wanted to tell this at the trial but was never given the chance." A new date of Oct 30 was set but another stayed was granted as attorneys again petitioned common pleas court for a new trial.

That petition was also denied, and Nov. 13 was the date for execution. Attorneys next went to the state clemency board before again appealing to the Ohio Supreme Court, claiming the death penalty in this case was defective because the premeditation was not there for first-degree murder. The YOUR WEEKLY PLANNER Today I AA open lead: 8 p.m., First Baptist Church, 235 Woodlawn Ave. (basement): 419-689-2529.

I AA open discussion: 1 p.m., Assembly of God, 320 Woodlawn 419-689-2529. I DJ Breezz: 9:30 p.m., Club 144, Washington Square. I Taz and BB performance: 10 p.m. to close, Crazy Fox Saloon, 112 W. Mansfield St.

I Arthritis Aquatics Program: 11:30 a.m. to noon, Bucyrus Area YMCA, 1655 E. Southern Ave. I Reformers Unanimous Addiction Recovery Program: 7 p.m, Prevailing Word Ministries, 1652 Whetstone St. For information, call 419-562-8675.

I Books-n-Brunch book discussion group: 11 a.m., Bucyrus Public Library's reading area. Call 419-562-7327 to register. I Fish fry: 6 p.m., Colonel Crawford Post 181 of the American Legion, 123 E. Rensselaer St. Proceeds will go toward the Gifts for program.

Saturday I Narcotics Anonymous: -5 p.m., open discussion, First Presbyterian Church, S. Poplar St. Parking available off Rensselaer St. Enter through north door. Recovery, fellowship and coffee.

All addicts welcome; "court slips signed; visit Iwww.moascna.org. I DJ Breezz: 9:30 p.m., -Club 144, Washington 'Square. I Taz and BB performance: 10 p.m. to close, Crazy Fox W. Mansfield St.

I H1N1 flu shot clinic: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Youth Building, Crawford County Fairgrounds. I Infant and child CPR class: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., American Red Cross; cost $30. Call 419-562-4357 to register to attend.

I Nature Movie and Popcorn Family Night: 6:30 p.m., Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center, 2401 Ohio 598, Crestline. The featured movie will be Disney's "Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey." Popcorn will be available. Drinks will be available for a donation. Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 for details or visit crawfordparkdistrict.org. I Bloodmobile: 10 a.m.

to 4 p.m.,'Geyer's Fresh Foods, Seltzer Station Mall, Crestline. Sunday I Lucky Larry's dance: 6:30 to 10 p.m. (singles and alumni couples only), Masonic Temple, 1250 Middle Bellville Road, Mansfield; 419-562-8235. I Quill Society: 2 p.m., Bucyrus Public Library. Those interested in creative writing, publishing, editing or any other aspect of writing are welcome to attend; 419-562-7327, ext.

100. I Holy Trinity School open house: 10 a.m. to noon, Holy Trinity School, 740 Tiffin St. Call 419-562-2741 for information. I Four Chaplains service: 1 p.m., Colonel Crawford Post 181 of the American Legion, 123 E.

Rensselaer St. The public is welcome to attend. Please submit items of interest for the Daily Planner to Telegraph-Forum, P.O. Box 471, Bucyrus, Ohio 44820-0471; fax to Linda Miller at 419-562-9162 or e-mail to lmmiUernncogannett.com. cifufnTi l' (Soft mo i Go consistently fast all day, every day.

2 years. 1 price. The price you sign up for is the price you BRIEFS Wind turbines on Feb. 15 meeting agenda BUCYRUS The Bucyrus City Council Service Committee will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. Feb.

15 in Council Chambers. Martin Miller, of Energy Systems Group, of Dublin, will have a presentation on renewable energy, wind turbines and solar panels. The public is invited. Finance committee plans Monday meeting BUCYRUS The Bucyrus City Council Finance Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Monday in Council Chambers.

The meet-' ing is open to the public. Commissioners plan special Monday session BUCYRUS Crawford County Commissioners will meet in special session from 9 a.m. to noon Monday for a precon-struction meeting for the Westmoor Sanitary Sewer Project. Register for T-ball, baseball practice BUCYRUS The Bucyrus Area YMCA is registering chil-' dren ages 4, 5 and 6 for T-ball training that starts Feb. 17 and runs until March 24.

Training for baseball runs Feb. 15 to March 22 and meets on Mondays. The T-ball program uses age-appropriate fundamentals to encourage children and teaches basic baseball skills. Practice is Wednesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. Baseball training emphasizes participation, fun and fair play.

Players will learn the proper techniques and the fundamentals of catching, throwing, fielding, batting, base running and learn the basic rules of the game. Instruction is age appropriate. Practice times are 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for children ages 7 to 9 and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for ages 10 to 12.

These programs will be run by Thad Shipman. Fees are $16 for members and $32 for others. Registration forms at www.bucyrusymca.org or at the YMCA service desk. For information, call 419-562-6218. Telegraph-Forum staff reports Direct connection to our network that is 100 nnre 10 nf tho timo 4 i twmm I 1 I mm JSC Vv Call 866.948.6104 Click centurylink.comhighspeed Stop by a CenturyLink Store Para oir ofertas en espanol marque al 866.948.6104.

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