The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-05-26
WALTON-MEALY MURDER TRIAL.
The Most important Testimony
Guilty Of Manslsuehter-Two
Years and Four Months is
the Sentence.
The Judges Charge to the Jury.


Public interest was centered in the
trial last week of Edward Slyhoff
Walton for the murder of James Al.
bert Mealy, at Merienville, on the
night of February 9th, last, and large
crowds gathered at the Temple Of Jus
tice each day to hear and note the
progress of the case, for a man on
trial for his life is not a frequent oc.
currence in Forest county, this being
onlysthe second in its history. The
trial lasted from Tuesday afternoon
until Friday night at half past ten
o'clock when the jury agreed on a
verdict of mansIaughter, having been
out nearly eight hours. AT the hour
mentioned the court house bell rang,
which was tho signal for a general
rush and in very short time a good.
ly number had arrived. The court
house was dimly lighted, and after all
had become quiet the Sheriff entered
with his prisoner, who was seated in
front of the Bench and then the jury
room opened and the twelve men who
had agreed upon the fate of the plis.
oner fled slowly in and quietly took
their seats. Their verdict was handed
to the Court, examined, and returned
to Prothonotary Shawkey, and then,
ia the sombre silence of that moment,
which the dropping of pin would
have disturbed, that official read,
"guilty of manslaughter," which was
assented to by the jury.
Counsel for the defense, Mr.. Davis
Immediately moved for a new trial.
but after few moments withdrew his
motion. Then the prisoner was asked
to stand up, and again the silence be.
came deathlike. After the usual ad.
monition and some wholesome advice,
Judge Brown pronounced the sen.
tence; Two hundred dollars fine, the
costs Of prosecution, and two years
and four months of solitary confne
ment in the penitentiary at labor.
The verdict and sentence gives general
satisfaction to those who heard the
trial.
Miles w. Tate Esq, made the open.
ing argument to the jury for the pros
ecution. 1t was earnest, eloquent and
at times very touching; one of Mr..
Tats's best efforts. and elected many
compliments from the large audience
which had gathered TO hear him. He
was followed by Hon. E L. Davis for
4, the defense, whose argument abound
ed in the best of points and sound log.
Nc, clearly aud forcibly put. 1t was a
hasterly effort very creditable to Mr..
Davis. Mr.. Osmer closed for the
defense in an eloquent argument occu
pying an hour. He was followed by
Mr.. Richmond who closed for the
prosecution. The audience expected
something remarkably able from him
and were not disappointed IN the least
District Attorney Clark and Hon. j
b. Agnew were employed on the side
Of the Commonwealth and did the
most in the careful preparation of the
case. We give below, with the Judges
charge, such of the most important
evidence as our space will admit:
FOR THE PROSECUTION.
r. NJ. Morrison was the first witness
sworn; lave in jerks twp, at Marion
flile, on the evening OF lne shooting was
at heyner's store about or o'clock, saw
Ed. Walton there, was in the store, Al
Mealy was there, saw him in the store a
the same time, had no conversation in m
presence, left the store after Mealy or be
fore, saw Walton just as Mealy came out
was standing on the right of the door,
heard Mealy say, 81 understand you com,
down to do me up, or hang it onto me,
Walton said ne did not, Mealy says, 81
guess you dld, and took off his hat anC
jacket, Walton was walking from the dool
70 the sidewalk at a medium gait wheI
Aealy commenced, Mealy was or fee