The semi-weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1890-1891, 1890-07-30
FRANK GRAY FOUND GUILTY.
The Defendant Testified in His OWN
Behalf But His Statement Did
Not Avail.
HIS SENTENCE FIXED AT YEARS.
Incidents Of This Sensational Trial
Arguments by Baum, Mct"rd
and Taylor.
HIS SENTENCE FIXED At I YEARS.
The Jury Finds Its Verdict Promptly
Every One Tired Out-The
Suspense Over.

Frank Gray's own testimony was the
leading element 10 the trial FRIDAY
He appeared cool ana almost uhcon-
cerned as he answered some questions,
while in replying to others he showed
much caution. He denied that he made
the tripnp the Missouri river on the 22d
of August, of which so much has been
sad and repeated, the old story as to his
whereabouts on that day. When he said
in support of his abb that he was at
Rogers drug store in the evening, MIR.
Baum bounced, it might be said, on him
and displayed able cross-examinating
ability. He finally forced Gray into
saying that lack of money prevented him
from obtaining from Salt Lake, Rogers
testimony which would be so important.
When questioned as to his doings in
Detroit City, Mimi, Brainerd and Fargo,
his counsel objected, but he readily
answered and assumed a defiant air. He
SAID that he was not ordered to leave
Detroit at an hours notice and denied
that he was ever charged with burglari-
Gus assault.
Gray persisted in denying that he had
been acquainted with Lottle Moore be-
fore he came here. When asked why
she brought him meals while in jail, ahe
said that the Jail was so unclean and the
food so bad that lie needed AOther meals.
He seemed to have IA special animu
against Sheriff Hamilton. When asked
why no letter had come from Roger he
said that Hamilton was capable of with
holding it. In regard to the talk with
Kline, of which there was mention yes.
terday, Gray was careful and said moth
ing definite.
Walter McGill, called for the defense,
proved an obtuse witness. His memory
was more defective than on Gibbs trial,
and he spoke vaguely of the hour when
he and Gray were together on August
god. An observer remarked that McGill,
Gray and Gibbs had evidently had a good
time at Luther's saloon, in the absence of
the proprietor.
The defense having closed, more wit
nesses were call TO strengthen the case
for the prosecution. Colgun, who it was
understood, knew much about Gray's do
ings elsewhere, proved an unsatisfactory
witness for Mr.. Baum, who ELECTED little
from him. Mr.. Hoffman did not like the
testimony either, for he moved that rs it
was IL piece Of petifogging, it should no
longer "encumber the records" Judge
Benton here firmly censured counsel,
saying that all personalities must cease.
Slowly but surely Messrs. Baum and
Martin wove the network of proof. Judge
Race on being recalled testified that early
last Angust-that is before the river trip
-Lottle Moore had come to his office to
complain that Gray had beaten her. She
said that he had followed her for two or
three years and that she could not get rid
of him. Being asked as to Gray's repu-
tation, the judge declared that it was bad
and that he would not believe him en-
oath. Ex-sheriff Downing and Sheriff
Hamilton also said that Gray's character
was bad. A few witnesses as to charac-
ter spoke well of Gray and then the testl.
mony closed.
The audience was large when Mr..
Baum began to speak. He demolished
the last prop of the defense by accepting
as true Fannie Towards and Lottir
Moore's statement hat the latter was not
at home on the att' rnOon when the geese
were shot He said that Lottie Moore'a
pretrxt for going out was evidently done
to mislead Fannie Howard. He conclu-
ded by speaking in strong terms of the
truthful evidence given by MIR. Loberg,
and the other witnesses for the defense,
Mr.. McCord spoke for the defense and
made the best Of Il weak case. He refer
red to the instances Of mistaken identity
which are so COMMON and argued that
as Mr.. Loberg and the others had not
seen the geese. killer before the evening
of the shooting they might be mistaken.
He appealed strongly to the jury to di
vest themselves of prejudice and give
Gray the benefit of any reasonable doubt,
MIR. Tavl"r also made a persuasive argu
ment for the defense. Mr. Baum summed
up for the prosecution in an eloquent
manner referring in strong language to
the wicked career of Gray.
Judge Benton charged the jury rather
briefly, limiting his instructions to the
law of the case. At the request of the
defendants counsel, the Judge permitted
the jury to fix the sentence, if they found
the pris0ntS guilty.
The court, bar and public retired, leav'
ing the jury alone. In a short time the
foreman announced that they had agreed.
Amid much suspense the verdict was an
nouncea. 1t was guilty" The sentence
"as fixed at seven years. Sheriff Hamil
ton led away Gray, who seemed unmoved
The trial was over,