, 1888-02-09
CORA LEES TRIAL.
(sgrinsieId Republican of Jan. a9-IssS -

At 4:20 o'clock yesterday afternoon
the jury in the Cora Lee case re-
turned q verdict of not guilty after
being out only five minutes.
At 8 o'clock yesterday morning
court opened with the crowd unuasu
ally enlarged because of the fact
that Hon. O. II. Travers, the silver
tongued orator was to speek.
He began the closing speech Of the
defense with statement that his
argument would be a very brief one
Then, one by one the grounds
were taken up and carefully gone
over. The evidence on each point
was reviewed. Piece by piece it was
thrown to the front and torn apart
aud shown to the jury as it looked to
the speaker. The evidence of little
Charlie Graham was paid attention
to and shown in its true worth.
In referring to it Mr. Traverse said
that he would lie for his father and
would lie for his aunt. At this point
Mrs. Breese, who sat just behind the
attorney, arose excitedly and remark.
ed MIR. Traverse, do you mean to
say l would have Charlie tell lie?'
She was ulled back in her chair by
her husband, and was most painfully
affected. Mr.. Traverse replied that
he was defending a client; that he
sympathized with her for the loss of
Il sister, and wept tears with her over
the grave of that sister; he wants as
much as .he to see the guilty per-
son hung, but his client vas perfect
ly innocent of the crime He then
took up diffe' ent points in the case
and rapidly covered and disposed of
each in its order He scathed the
witnesses who had shown malicious
delight in helping prosecute the case,
and closed the side of the defense
with a clear, able and eloquent expo
sition of the law and the courts in
structions and an appeal to the jury
to analyze every bit of evidence, to
reconcile it with the statements of
the attorneys and return verdict
accordingly.
In the afternoon Hon. John A.
Paterson closed the case with mast
erly argument for the state.
He spoke for three hours, present.
ing the facts and evidences of the
case as he saw it, in a clear forcible
manner, and reasoning all the little
Inconsistencies ID the testimony.
At the close of MIR. Paterson's
speech, the jury were instructed, and
at Ais o'clock retired.
On reaching their room the fore
man remarked: "All of you who are
in favor of acquitting the defendant
walk around on this side of the ia
ble." The eleven jurymen followed
him, and in another moment the ver-
dict had been written, and one os the
most famons trials of the great south
west was practically at an end. The
jury filed into court and the verdict
was passed up and read. A wild
scene of congratulation and Joy fol-
lowed, which was interrupted by
Judge Bland ordering the discharge
of the prisoner. This was at once
done, and for the first time in two
years she stood free woman, with
life, happiness and future before
her.
CORA LEE INTERVIEWED.
Shortly after the defendant left
the court room REPUBLICAN reporter
called upon her and in a pleasant
conversation got her to express her
self as to the result of the terrible
ordeal through which she had gone.
She talked freely of the case, and IN
reply to an expression of surprise
that she had stood the strain so well
stated that it was only the concien-
ciOusnesS of her innocence that had
buoyed up her often failing spirit
1t was all that had kept her alive,
and the support of her friends, who
had been so courageous, tender and
true, made life bearable for her.
She had no bitter feelings towards
any one in the case, and especially
was this so in reference to Mr. Pat
erson. She believed to be fearless,
brave, contentious official, who did
only what he believed to be his duty.
To the jury, Judge Bland, her at
torneys her bondsmen and her
friends she desired the Republican
to return thanks for her.
Mrs. Cora Lee Graham is at pres
ent, as she has been during the trial,
the guest of Mrs Julia Eversol, but
as soon as she can arrange her bust
ness affairs here will return to Oma-
ha to resume her capacity as pro-
fessional nurse.
In connection with this trial an
item was picked up yesterday in the
statement OF prominent attorney
that the State would nolley the case
against Mrs. Molloy, as the evidence
upon which they relied to sustain
their case WAS substantially the same
upon which Cora Lee has just been
acquitted.
gEs,.