NOI Cult Murders p.5 Cult Slayer Pleads Guilty - 3D Animated

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Detroit News, Friday Nov 25 1932, page 1
CULT SLAYER PLEADS GUILTY - Harris Argues With Judge Boyne at Arraignment on Murder Charge

While a crowd of his co-religionists milled about today in the corridors outside Judge John A. Boyne's court room in Recorder's Court, Robert Harris, Negro, a member of the Order of Islam, who kill another Negro last Sunday in what he insisted was a "sacrificial rite," was arraigned on a charge of first degree murder. On his admitting the killing, a plea of guilty was entered for him.

Inspector John I. Navarre, head of the homicide squad, said efforts would be made to have Harris arraigned on the State's information this afternoon before Judge John P. Scallen, who is expected to appoint a sanity commission at once to examine Harris.

Harris' arraignment followed a prolonged debate between him and Judge Boyne as to who was "king." When Harris, handcuffed to Detective Charles W. Snyder, was taken before Judge Boyne, he was wearing a much-frayed cap. He continued to keep the cap on when he stood before the court.
A Debate Ensues

"Take off your cap," Judge Boyne ordered.

Harris made no move to comply.

"I am king here," he said.

"Oh, no, you are not," said Judge Boyne, "I'm the king here."

"No, sir, I'm the king here and everywhere," said the prisoner.

The discussion was interrupted when a court officer removed the cap.

"Did you kill James J. Smith?" Judge Boyne asked.

"Yes, I did," said Harris, replacing the cap on his head.

The cap was removed again by the court officer.

"I did kill this man at 1429 Dubois street," Harris said.

"Why did you kill him?" Judge Boyne asked.

"It was crucifixion time," said Harris. "That's why I killed him."

"What did you kill him with?" asked the court.

"With the crucifixion," Harris said. "I said 'aliker alump,' and he fell dead. He died because it's a dumb civilization. But I gave my children a break, because I'm a lover of children. Well, I've got to go now."
Starts To Walk Out

Harris started to walk toward the door.

"You'd better wait a minute," said Judge Boyne.

Harris then grabbed a box of rubber bands from the clerk's desk and was stuffing them into his pocket.

"Put those back," Judge Boyne said.

"No, I'm king here," said Harris, continuing to stuff the rubber bands into his pocket with one hand, and putting his cap back on his head with the other

While one court officer recovered the bands another uncovered Harris' head. Harris was then taken to a cell.

Other members of the society told police that the Order of Islam did not countenance sacrificial rites. They told police that Harris was demented and that the society was not responsible for his act.

Five hundred men and women, who claimed to be members of the Order of Islam, headed by leaders wearing red fezzes, invaded Police Headquarters Thursday, as a protest against the detention of W. D. Farad, leader of the society, and Ugani Ali, secretary.
Demand Release

Among the leaders of the march was Ali's wife, Lillie, who demanded to see her husband, and was told he was in the psychopathic ward of Receiving Hospital. She told detectives of the homicide squad she would lead a group of the cult members to the headquarters building or to the hospital every day until the leaders have been released.

There was no violence or disturbance, the marchers breaking up quickly after their demands had been denied.

"I want a full record of the case, with all the sworn testimony," Toy said Thursday night, "so that it can be used against Harris in the event he is sent to an institution for the insane and later released on the grounds that he had regained his sanity. This will prevent any recurrence of such a case as that of Harry Wolfson."

Wolfson was committed to the Ionia State Hospital, an institution for the criminally insane, in 1926 while he was on trial on robbery armed charge. He previously had confessed to a score of holdups and was implicated in an assault case in which a policeman was killed.
Freed From Hospital

Wolfson left the hospital last month when it was found that he was cured and able to go on trial.

But meanwhile, witnesses in the six-year-old robbery case could not be located. Even though they had been found, Toy said at the time, it was unlikely that they could have identified Wolfson after so long a lapse of time. Wolfson was freed.

"If we have a permanent record of Harris' examination," Mr. Toy said, "we won't need the testimony of witnesses should Harris ever be permitted to leave the hospital."

Mr. Toy said that he believes the present laws bearing on the crimes of mental defectives, are not adequate and that he intends to recommend changes at the next meeting of the State Legislature.

Henry Piel, deputy chief of detectives, today directed Detective Lieut. John Hoffman, head of the special investigation squad, to make a daily check of the activities of the Order of Islam.