Weston weekly leader. [volume] (Weston, Umatilla County, Or.) 1878-189?, 1880-11-13
PESDEEToN ITEMS.
PEsDLEToN, Nov. 4, 1880.

Editors Leader:
On yesterday morning about 10 o'clock A.
NJ, after examining 63 persons, jury of II
men were empanneled to try Edward Murphy
on charge of murder in the first degree. al
legged to have been committed in the killing
of 7. D. French, near Heppner, in May last.
The following named citizens compose the
Jury, viz: John Walker, Hiram FIckenger,
VIM. Burden, Eugene Bruzanc, A. Cole,
Frank G. Effnger, Frank Dunn, j. S. King,
c. NJ. Long, L. C. Rothrock, D. E. Cargen
and Eael Haffen.
The prosecuting witness, C. T. Henderson,
gave good testimony, and stood cross-examin-
alton WE'LL The testimony on the part Of the
State made out the clearest case of murder in
the first degree that we ever heard. In fact
we never read Of a case where the evidence
was more conclusive. The defense attempted
to set up the drunkenness of the accused; but
| admitting that to be a defense, we think they
totally failed. They only proved that he was
drinking ON the day prior to the murder, and
that he drank three glasses of beer about IL
hours before the shooting. We do not know
! what the jury may think Of the matter, but
We, after hearing all the testimony offered for
and against Murphy, say that he is clearly
guilty of murder in the first degree. and
should pay the debt that he has incurred
with 'an eye for an eye and tooth for q
tooth"
Murphy is about medium height, of full
form and habits, will weigh about $50 pounds.
is dark completed with black hair and is
rather good looking, with the exception, that
he does not possess any of that frank, honest
look, which draws soul to soul and binds us
all in a common brotherhood. He is not of
that low type of mental development which
Phrenologists usually ascribe to murderers.
His intellectual faculties are fairly developed,
yes we may say that they are above average.
combativeness and destructiveness are large,
while venerstion and those other faculties
which are calculated to restrain men from the
perpetration Of such deeds, are rather small
But all things considered he is intellectually
fully up to average. The prisoner seems tt
Z look on the affair as Of little Importance; w
. have not been able to see any emotion evincet
but once during all the trial; and that occurret
when the Judge ordered the jury to look OIL
the prisoner and be sworn. The emotion the,
! exhibited went to confirm his guilt rather tina
: otherwise. More than once during the tria
g when the witnesses were attempting to de
scribe the acts of drunk man the prisone
smiled and seemed to enjoy the fun.
In view of all the light thrown on the dar
: deed during the trial, we are forced to sa
n guilty as charged" If Murphy was of ths
e low mental development which is scarcel
/" above an idiot, we might say that he shoul
be imprisoned for life, but as it is, we say
well knew better and well knew it to be
g duty to abstain from such an act. So we wa
IS in suspense to see what twelve honest an
G competent men will say on the subject
!. The grand jury did not indict the boy G.
!. Brook, who was charged with numbering Il
sheep herder near Heppner.
70 Three indictments have been found again
It H. C. Paige, all growing out of the stage ro1
IS berry. The Paige trials have all been pos
9. poned for the term, to allow the defence
get testimony.
Mr.. John B. Purdy foreman of the gra1
jury, undoubtedly is entitled to much credi
/, for the good judgement used in finding indie
N ments-they will all stick.
Since writing the above, and after an houl
- deliberation, the jury in the Murphy case,
a, turned verdict of guilty as charged in Il
ID Indictment -