The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-05-31

the attacks of the prosecution and CUES
toned witnesses proved that he had not al
ways followed the occupation of steward.
| Nv hen Caskey took the stand he was
asked:
who was On board tho Brussels the
night she was firedW
"B1ckman and IT,
"WhO went down tho hold"
'Backman.'
And who fired the ship2n
~ on did-Backman.
"How long had you known me when the
ship was tiredf' asked Backman Of Caskey.
'Three weeks"
How long had you known Capt. Cros-
by3"
"Five or six months"
Didn't you tell me that Capt. Crosby
wanted to induce you to fire the vesselg"
mo- l never did. You had me so IN your
power that did not know what | was do
ing
What inducements were held out to you
to make this statements?
None"
You are doing this of your own ac-
cord"
YES, since have been separated from
you | am myself again"
Further questioning elected that on the
day Caskey was called to the Office of Capt
Lees he was given drink after he made his
affidavit, and was allowed to take a small
bottle Of whisky into prison with him, be-
ing told not to say ANYTHING about it. He
was allowed to take bottle of port wine on
another occasion.
Now, weren't you drunk when YOU
made your statementsr' asked Backman
mo. | only drank after the affidavits,"
The witness admitted that he received
money from Mr.. James of the Under
writers, not as bride, but to purchase his
meals.
Capt Lees told the story of the crime
and arrest. Backman asked him if he told
Caskey to tell that story of mesmeric influ-
ence, which he promptly denied.
Take that down, take that DOWN.
shouted the prisoner to the shorthand re-
porter.
1T is not necessary to ask him to do
that, said Judge Toohy. HE takes down
everything like photograph"
Capt. Lees also denied that District At
torney Stonehill ordered Caskey from his
presence because he was drunk, and told
him to come when he was sober to make his
deposition.
AT the afternoon session the prosecution
produced lot of wearing apparel, books,
ETC., which belonged to Capt. Crosby, and
which were found in Backman's possession.
oOhL ]alGh0u, S0COAu IAlAuc VI bueSulJ, lueU-
titled the goods as having been the property
of the captain. Backman, by a series of
questions, led the jury to the belief that the
goods were presented to him by Capt.
Crosby Aitken said that the latter gave
him several articles before he left, and told
him to help himself to anything he wanted
from his private stores.
That finished, Backman proceeded to ad-
dress tho jury He spoke very briefly, ex-
planning the absence of witnesses in his be-
half, that he was friendless and alone, being
a sailor who mover remained long enough in
port to make acquaintance He asked the
jury not to place any reliance on Caskey's
statements
Assistant District Attorney Dunno asked
the jury to convict Backman on his own
testimony.
II don't want you to convict him on
Caskey'S evidence. Here is the admission
in his own handwriting made to Capt.
Lees: L went down into the hold and APP
piled the match That should be enough to
convict him."
The Judges charge was also very brief.
The charge and arguments consumed about
ten minutes, and after seven min
utes' elaboration, the jury brought
in a verdict of guilty of arson in the first
degree. The punishment for the crime is
Imprisonment in the penitentiary for not
less than two years.
Backman was completely crushed, and
fell back into his chair weeping. He asked
to be sentenced Immediately, but the court
advised him 10 wait till tomorrow morn
ing.
"As you please, he said, almost inaudi-
blY