The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-06-29
M'DOW'S CHANCE POORER
his OWN STORY OF HIS CHASTITY
WORK HURT HIS CASE.

The Attempt to Prove That Capt.
Dawson Was Not Shot IN the Back
Failure-A MisJrlel the Most That
the Prisoners Friends Now Dare
Hope for.
CHARLESTON, s. c., June eS.-The de-
tendants counsel occupied the entire day in
court to-day arguing the case for McDow.
MIR. Cohen spoke from 10 to 1:30 o'clock.
ex-Judge Magrath from 2:30 to 4 80 o'clock.
The line of argument was for a verdict of
set-defense. Great stress was laid upon
. the fact that Mellow had his pistol in .his
pocket and that he did not take it from his
desk as he told the reporters on the night of
tne homicide. 1t was argued that Capt.
lawson had attacked him. and, be-
ing q larger man, he was justified Ia defend-
ing himself with his pistol
SHOT IN THE BACK.
To DO away with the damaging statement
that Capt. Dawson was shot In the back.
stress was laid on the difference of opinion
between medical men as to the power of the
tissues in the human body 60 defect a
bullet. The state claims that Can't. Dawson
was shot In the back while about to leave
McDow's office, and depends on the autopsv
and the position OF the wound to prove it.
The defense depend on the statement OF DR..
Forrest, who did not see the body. that the
shot may have been fred at Can't. Dawsonis
side, and upon McDow's statement that be
drew the pistol and fired while Capt, Daw-
son was In the act Of striking him. a posi-
ton which two eminent surgeons, Drs.
Michel and Kinloch, both of whom saw
the body, agree in saying was impossible.
BITTER AND IMPRESSIVE.
Mr. Cohen's argument was very impress
sive and bitter, and at one time during its
delivery, when. he alluded to the fact that
Mellow was in his home when attacked.
there were symptoms of applause IN the
court room. During his argument Judge
Magrath mentioned the fact that his col
league, Mr.. Cohen, had been retained for
the defense by Mellow. Mr. Cohen did rot
attempt TO defend McDows liaison with the
Swiss maid. Judge Magrath, on the other
hand, claimed that the woman had se-
duced the man and held an influence over
him.
RIDICULOUS RATHER THAN PATHETIC.
Mr.. Cohen closed with thrilling perora-
ton asserting that the prisoner had already
suffered punishment enough, that he was a
changed man, and beseecning them to let
him return to his devoted wife, ''to be
baptized in the tears OF their little girl into
nobler and better life.n
Both speakers evidently made good Inn
preston on the jury as well as the audience
iii the court room, which was packed.
THE LAST SPEECH.
Tho argument will be closed tomorrow
by Julian Michel, one Of the most powerful
pleaders at the bar, in behalf Of the state.
The jury has been locked up since Thurs
day afternoon. Since McDow's statement
has been made public, his friends are not so
confident Of his acquittal The details of
his burying tho body had been disbelieved
by many, and their narration created con-
siderable sensation. An attempt to predict
the verdict Of the jury must be mere guess
work. As stated before, there are seven
colored men on the panel, very few Of whom
are well known. The drift OF opinion to-
night is murder or manslaughter on one
other