Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-06-09
DISTRICT COURT.
Progress Il the Edwaras-wiison aurdeI
Trial.

Yesterday was the most interesting day,
SO far, in the Edwards Wilson murder case,
inssmuch as there were several professional
| maneuvers made by the counsel on either
side, and fine points of law were ably dis
cussed. Aside from the witnesses for the de-
tense and members of the bar, there were
not many in court.
The defendant was present, and beside
him sat his wife. while Wilson's wife sat
with the attorneys for the state. After ex-
aiming two witnesses the state rested its
case, and the defense made known their line
of defense, which was justifisble homicide,
alleging self defense.
In support of this position the defense
then sought to introduce the dispositions of
the absent witnesses, which the state agreed
to admit at the beginning of the trial when
the petition for continuance was filed by the
defense. This the state objected to on the
ground that the evidence contained in the
dispositions WAS alleged threats of the de-
ceased against the defendant prior to the
night of the tragedy and only admissible
after reasonable grounds for the plea of self
defense had been established; therefore in the
present aspect Of the case, this character of
testimony was incompetent, inasmach as the
testimony SO far introduced tended TO prove
that the defendant began the assault which
resulted in the killing. The defence yielded
and the court sustained tie objection. The
defense, after short consultation, called
their first witness, Robert Taylor, colored
man, who had been sort of man of all
work in the gambling room and sbou: the
joint in the building where the tragedy &C.
CURED.
Hon. W. E. Stanley examined the witness,
who gave some strong rebutting testimony,
and very adroitly drew out Of him a state
ment to the effect that Wilson tired the frs:
shot,so that after that the field was clear for
the Introduction Of testimony Ms to previous
threats of the deceased sgains. the
defendant in support of the line
OF self-defense, and Mr.. Stanley proceeded
to question the witness as to what threats, If
any, be had heard Wilson make against Ed
wards, but here again the state objected and
then came the battle as TO the aimiss ability
Of that character of testimony at that time,
which, after long discussion and the citing
of many authorities BY the s;ste's attorney,
in support Of his proposition was
ruled admissible. Pending the discus-
sion Of the point the jury were with
drawn from the court room. County At
torney Murray stated his proposition very
neatly and clearly, arguing tina. the weigh;
Of testimony so far had been that tie de-
PENDANT had been in the room previously and
after an alteration with deceased went out,
and in about fifteen minutes returned, when
he began the assault by kicking deceased
twice and then shootsng him, while the de-
ceased had made no hostile demonstration.
In support Of this position the able snd
learned counsel for the state cited from
about six or eight authorities touching the
point al issue. which. he argued, established
beyond controversy that this line Of evil
dencs was not admissible in this case.
Mr.. Stanley. for the defense. called the
attention Of the court to the Kansas Course
of Criminal Procedure on the poin. 6, Is
sue snd the court held that, il !
was not for him to pass upon the oompe- |
tency Of the evidence introduced by the |
state to establish lack Of reasonable claim |
Of self defence. That vaa . question for the |