Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-03-02

Mr. Storrs, on behalf of the defense, re
viewed the testimony, and replied to the
summing up of Col. Broadhead. He said
nothing had been adduced tic prove the de-
fendant guilty, but that the prosecution had
invited the jury to assume a crime that had
suspend his remarks because of sickness, and
the court adjourned.
TWELFTH DAY.
Mr.. Storrs for the defense, resumed his ad
dress to the jury on the morning of the Dist
and spoke continuously until the session
closed for the day-a period of nine hours al
together. He devoted his attention mainly to
an analysis and explanation of the kilograms
purporting to have passed between Gen.
Rabcock and Joyce and Mcdonald, endeavor
ing to show that they were all susceptible of
ar explanation compatible with the theory of
the entire innocence of the defendant
Having disposed of the kilograms to
his own satisfaction, Mr.. Storrs took up the
evidence of Everest, whom he characterized
as lying fugitive, whom the prosecution
would not trust with gallon of spirits in
which the Government had an interest of
seventy cents, but who was allowed to swear
away the character Of an innocent man. He
claimed that his testimony had been entirely
answered by that of the witness Magill, who
was unimpeached and unimpeachable. Mr..
| Storrs closed with an eloquent peroration.
THIRTEENTH DAY.
Judge Porter, for the defense, made the
closing argument on the 22d. He spoke in
prosecution, but said they had tried the case
with a bitterness he never saw equaled in a
State prosecution. ''They evidently felt that
every stroke they gave the defendant is really
thrust through him to the President him
! self" Judge Porter, in strong language,
condemned the course of the press toward
Gen. Babcock, and said he had had the mis-
| fortune of pre-judgment Of his case sy the
newspapers. The counsel then reviewed the
testimony at great length, and insisted that
nothing had been adduced which was not
explainable, and that the jury were bound to
render a verdict of acquittal
FOURTEENTH DAY.
| Di5t.-At'ty Dyer commenced the closing
argument, on the morning of the 23d. He
| characterized the case as a remarkable one,
and the course of the defense as still more re-
markabIe, and accused the counsel for the
| defense of trying to drag the President into It
needlessly and groundlessly. The Execu-
tive's deposition had been presented and he
should comment upon his testimony as he
would upon that of any other witness. The
object of the defense in bringing the Presi-
dent into the case was tC influence the Re
publicans upon the jury, but Mr. Dyer said
he did not intend that the adroitr ess Of the
counsel should place him in the attitude of
assailing the Administration.
After further speaking of the political as
poets of the case Col. Dyer drew a compari-
son between the manner in which the defense
seem to assail the gaugers and underlings,
and the manner in which those in whose
hands lay the removing power were pro-
tected
Col Dyer then dwelt on other matters
which he claimed lad been dragged into the
case in the argument for the defense, but
which were wholly foreign to it. The jury
had nothing to do with the opinions of coun-
sci as to the cases of Joyce, Mcdonald, Avery,
or Mckee. He asserted that he was acting
with the Republican party in attempting to
CIuS u OUT WIOu2S duu IIduuS, anu QuOtGu GuC
Presidents language to show that he was
acting in harmony with the Administration
6 Let no guilty man escape" He demanded
a verdict of guilty as to the defendant.
FIFTEENTH DAY.
Judge Dillon read his instructions to the
jury when they came together on the morn
ing of the Oath. They were very long and
included in various groups the kilograms
and many Of the letters introduced in evil
dence. In regard to the issues, he said that
two main questions arose; one as to the ex-
istence of the conspiracy, and the other as to
the connection Of the defendant with it. The
first question was evidently admitted by
both sides. AS to the last, it was a
question solely Of circumstantial evidence.
The evidence of Everest, who mailed the let
ter in which he thought Joyce put a $500
bill, and the evidence of Magill, who testified
to taking from the letter box q similar letter.
and returning it to joyce, were considered,
and the question of credibility left to the
jury.
The jury retired as Judge Dillon concluded,
and, after two hours deliberation, returned
a verdict of g Not guilty" and the defendant
was discharged.