Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1856-05-21
THE GRAND RIVER TIMES
TRIAL OF SPENCER.

The trial OF Elmer Spencer for the muir
der of Edward Davenport, his step-son, COM
menced in this village, on Tuesday week.
The examination of witnesses occupied the
attention of the Court until Saturday morn
ing, when the argument in the case on the
part of the people was introduced by Gros-
venor Reed, Esq, Prosecuting attorney, re-
piled to by Messrs. Patterson of Grand Rap
ids, and Van Armen of Marshall, counsel for
the prisoner, and closed by Holmes, of Grand
Rapids, engaged as counsel with the Prose-
cutting attorney in behalf of the prosecution.
After receiving the charge from his Hon.
Judge Martin, the jury retired at 8 o'clock,
on Saturday evening, and returned with a
verdict of man slaughter on Sunday morn
ing at i o'clock.
The testimony of the principal witnesses
in this case went to show that an i'll feeling
had existed for long time on the part of
the deceased toward his step-father and that
he had taken favorable opportunities of in
fusing into the mind of young Spencer, a
son of the prisoner, a spirit of GOODNESS and
want of respect toward his father. A want of
flial regard seemed to develope itself under
such an influence, until fathers house was
deserted and he was persuaded to become an
inmate of another household, than that around
which cluster all the endearing ties that bind
in such happy union the hearts of father,
mother, brother, and sister, when each strives
to make the happiness of each, the blest frui-
ton of all. 1t was to obtain possession of
this erring, wandering son, and restore him
to home and duty that led to the commission
of deed, that by the laws of his country
renders necessary the incarceration of the un-
fortunate father, for term of years.
A fixed purpose seemed to exist in the
mind of the prisoner to reclaim his son at all
hazards; and, believing that physical force
might be necessary to overcome offered re-
sistence on the part of his step son, he takes
down the fatal rifle, proceeds to the tempo
rary abode of his son, who first eludes the
search Of the father, but at length found, the
father starts with him for home, but before
the house is left, young Davenport interferes,
he is pushed back by Spencer, recovering
himself, he again advances to the conflict,
when blow from the rifle of the parent
lays the aggressor at his feet, and, in few
hours ends his existence. No threats or harsh
words occurred during the enacting of the
scene, merely the carrying out at all hazards,
on the part of the father, the resolution to
recover the possession of his son, with no
idea, however, of committing the crime of
murder in the act. The blow, however, was
an unfortunate one. The criminal is ar
raigned for trial: One of the most intelli-
gent juries that could be selected in the
county is impanneled to decide upon what
atonement is required by an offended law
With the thrilling eloquence of a Van Arman,
the close, searching investigation, and the clear
of facts that favors the prisoner,
as can only be set forth by Paterson, his
uniform good character as citizen and
neighbor, the great provocation to the act,
The inherent right of a father to control his
son, during his minority, are all urged to ex-
,enuate the crime-and the jury finds the
prisoner only guilty of man slaughter. He
S to receive his sentence on Friday next. ]
EXCITEMENT AT Liquor TRIAL IN DE-
rRoIT.-A trial for the violation of the Pro