Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-18
GOING TO THE JURY.
The Fate of Alexander Killian Will
Doubtless Soon be Settled.
ELOQUENTAPPEAISIN HISBEHALF.
Counsel on Both Sides of the Case Make
Exhaustive Speeches.
YESTERDAYS COURT HOUSE CULLINGS

The Killlan murder case is now in the
hands Of the jury, the argument having been
finished at last nights session of the court
Mrs. Thomas, the wife of the boatman in
whose house Killian and his wife claimed
10 have been making baskets the night OF
the murder, was the first witness yesterday.
She said that Killian and the woman left the
boat that night at $40 o'clock, a contradic-
tion OF hilliau, who had said that it was
$50. John Fisher, a farmer at Brushton,
testified to having given breakfast to two
men the morning after the murder. They
gave him nothing but thanks. He could
not describe the men, but identified pict-
ure Of Griffin as one of the men. Mr.. Ager,
another farmer, also breakfasted two men on
that morning. One was negro.
Ex-Chiefo of Police Donovan, of Braddock,
testified TO chasing three men the night of
the murder, one of whom was Griffin. They
fired y shots at him and succeeded in es-
Gaping. Keepers Price and Marshall, of the
jail. TESTIFIED TO Mr., Rudert identifying Price
as Killian. A. Morfit. who had been prisoner
In Jail, testified TO Mr.. Rudert saying that he
would not know any of the men.
Several witnesses were called by the prose-
cution in rebuttal and the testimony was fin
ished.
4uOUds NJ. MdTendll, opened Lne aTEu-
ment for the defence and in a brief manner
outlined the testimony and made a touching
appeal in behalf of the prisoner, who he said,
had clearly proved an alIbi and they must
either convict him of murder in the first de-
gree or acQuit him. Mr.. Nesbit followed and
covered about the same line as the previous
speaker.
The closing argument for the defense was
made by Thomas NJ. Marshall. Sr., who opened
by stating that the defendant was victim Of
his own weakness. He had sinned and suf-
fered. Mr.. Marshall argued that no difference
If the prisoner did know that the three men
were going to commit a larceny or steal chick
ems. be was not on trial for that. If the de-
fendant had been connected with the crime he
would have made his escape the same as the
others. But he was not guilty; he did not even
know of the murder, and be therefore did not
run away or make any attempt to elude arrest,
and when he was arrested he went to the Off
cial head of the county and to him makes
true statement of all he knew of the matter.
Mr.. Marshall argued that those were the
actions of an innocent man.
At o'clock the trial was resumed District
Attorney Johnston opening for the prosecu-
tion. He commenced with the beginning of
the testimony, following it through in thor
Ough manner. He brought to the front all the
chase from Barton of the % caliber cartridges
and the comparison with the 81 caliber found in
Mrs. Ruderts skull, also the contradictions be-
tween killian'S statement in Jail and his
numerous other points at fault between the
defense and the testimony. His argument
followed out the testimony produced for the
defense, and every portion of il was taken and
closely compared with the testimony for the
prosecution, and a logical deduction presented.
He concluded at 1O:30 p. NJ, asking the jury for
verdict of murder in the first degree.
When he had finished court adjourned until
this morning, when the Court will charge the
jury. The general opinion is that the verdict
will be for first degree.