St. Paul daily globe., 1889-01-08

a seeming struggle within himself to
learn what it all meant. He gaZed about
the room as usual, and followed the
moving forms of the attorneys with
scrutlnous eyes. No emotion OF any
kind was depicted upon his counte-
nance, and when the judge, after swear
ing the interpreter, called Olson to q
stand before the court, he complied
with the same apathetic expression that
has astonished every one. With his
face toward the judge, and the inter-
prefer
STANDING BY HIS SIDE,
the Judge informed him of the nature
of the occasion, and commanded the in
terpreter to tell Olson why he was be-
fore the court. Then Judge Kelly.
with look of mingled pity and sorrow,
asked the prisoner the following ques-
ton which was repeated to Olson by the
Interpreter: "Olaf P. Olson, have you
anything to say why the sentence of
the court and law shall not be pro-
nounced upon you?" A hushed silence
prevailed as the assembly waited for
the reply. Olson simply answered.: IL
have nothing to say, except that am
innocent"
An air of pity pervaded the room as
Olson partially turned his face toward
the spectators, and a preceptlble change
was portrayed upon every feature. He
grew nervous and beads of perSpirati0n
rolled down from his forehead and sat
sonant tones of Judge Kelly's voice
rang out upon the silence, and the priS-
oner listened to the interpretiOnS of Mr..
Liecender with bowed head.
''Say to him" said the judge, "that he
was indicted by the grand jury Of RAM
sey county of the crime of murder in the
first degree. That he was tried before
jury of his fellow citizens. duly sworn
to deter mine the case. That he was de-
Tended by the ablest counsel with rare
zeal and ability: that the jury after
long and patient investigation of the
case have found him guilty as charged
in the Indictment, and that it now De-
comes the duty Of the court to pro-
nounce upon him the sentence which
the law inficts for such a crime.
The jury in their verdict solemnly rec
commended him to the mercy of the
court. While recommendation from
the jury to the mercy of the court does
not ordinarily influence and control the
Judgment of the court in its sentence,
vet it becomes my duty in determining
upon so grave matter as this sentence
involves to carefully consider what was
meant by the recommendation. In this
case the evidence was most entirely of a
GIRO MSTANTIAL NATURE. 8.
"There was no direct testimony, worthy
the name, that this defendant had in his
possession about the time of the
murder, the poison with which it was
accomplished. The court, therefore. is
forced to the conclusion that the jury,
while convinced. beyond reasonable
doubt and moral certainty of defend
ants guilt, yet. in the fact that have
stated, thought that perhaps the court,
having rested in it a discretion which
the jury could not exercise. might see
its way clear to mercy in the sentence
which should be enforced. While | am
satisfied, upon the evidence as |
heard it, with the verdict that
was rendered. yet l am convinced that
in view of all circumstances of this case
and of the recommendation of mercy by
the jury, there is in it an clement
which warrants the court III exercising
the discretion which the law seems to
place in my hands,. Therefore the court
certifies of record its subpoena that by
| reasonable and exceptional care of this
case it is not one in which the penalty
of death should be imposed, and the
| sentence Of the court and law is that
YOU. Olof Z. Olson, be confined in the
state prison in the state of Minnesota at
hard labor the term of your natural
life"
At the conclusion of the sentence
Attorney Erwin asked for forty-fve
days leave in which to file points upon
motion for new trial is to be argued.
Upon agreement with the prosecuting
attorney the time was set for March IS.
The magnitude of the evidence in this
case in its written form can be imagined
when it is stated that upwards of l.500
typewriter pages will be necessary to
copy it from the stenographer's minutes.
Olson was then led back to his seat
and sat down with all the composure of
free man. His interpreter engaged
him in conversation and asked what he
thought of the sentence. ''They will
never get me to Saltwater" was the
reply. IL will take my life first, and
then [ don't care what they do"