Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1881-04-13
John A. Riley "Not Guilty.

John A. Riley "Not Guilty.
The trial of John A. Riley for the
attempted assassination Of Judge Sher.
man Page, which occupied all of last
week, came to close Saturday last
The lawyers finished their argume nts
about SPIN. Judge Dickinson occupied
about An hour in charging the jury, the
case being given to them for final decision
about O'clock. AT 6 o'clock the jury
returned their verdict Of mot guilty"
Saturday morning at A. NJ, Mr.. Bur-
lingame commenced the closing argu.
ment for the State, consuming about two
hours. 1t was really a mastery argument,
and as strong as it seemed possible for it
to be made We cannot better express
our appreciation Of MIR. Burlingame's
ability in this direction than to quote the
following sketch of his argument from
the Pioneer Press report:
The argument as whole was extremely
skillful and conducted with conspicuous
courtesy and ability. As review Of the
CSluCuCc III VIC CuScs IL COulu NC
improved nor rendered more effective !;
wide and enviable reputation as a public
prosecutor. In spirit and construction 1t
was admirable, closing with q searching
inspection of the credibility Of witnesses
called by the defense. and an eloquent
defense of detective Wood and the agen-
cies with which his guild are engaged in
fer1eting out the perpetrators of heiuous
crimes and offenses against law and
organized society. The strength and
good Judgment exhibited in the presen,a-
ton of the case tor the State will not be
questioned by sry individual member Of
the large and noticeabiy attentive audi
ence present.
The argument for the defense by W. w.
Erwin of St. Paul, was very strong one.
He reviewed the evidence Of the different
witnesses in the most searching manner,
criticised their standing and character,
especial attention being gwen to Detec-
tive Wood, Monahan and CARL from
abroad and Messrs. Hunkins and Zeller
Of Austin. His points were all we'll made
and decidedly clear and efe Give. He
had an original and pointed way of putting
things, and at times was very eloquent.
He proved himself 10 be all that has been
claimed for him, criminal lawyer Of
great ability, and without doubt the best
in the State,
The Judges charge to the jury was
prefaced by the declaration, it had seldom
if ever been his pleasure TO witness trial
of 30 great importance conducted with
more courtesy, fairness, and ability by
both prosecution and defense. His
charge was candid, thoroughly impartial,
and able.
The jury was made up of "good men
and true" from different sections of the
county, whose regulations for integrity
and good judgment are Of the very best,
and whose verdict will be generally ap
proved by the entire community.
Elsewhere we publish an editorial
from the Minneapolis Tribune headed
"Let Us Have Peace" the sentiments OF
which We can heartily endorse, as we
believe can every well-disposed citizen of
Austin.
The letter in the Tribune yesterday is
filed with false charges against faithful
and honest officials and ciliZsns-and, as
the editor of the Tribune says, "the per-
sons most interested will, If they deem it
of sufficient importance" answer the
rawlings Of this poor despised monoma.
mac. We hardly think 1t worth the
effort, however. We want peace in Aus
tin, and we must have it.