Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1890-12-18


she was immediately placed on the stand.
Her story was a straightforward one and
the manner of its recital impressed The
hearers she was telling the truth. Her evil
dence generally accorded with that Of the
other witnesses. At the conclusion of Mrs.
Ants testimony the State annouced that its
case was closed.
The defense offered but one witness, VIM.
Depew, juror at the former trial, who tes-
titled as to some slight discrepancies in the
testimony Of one of the States witnesses at
this and the other trial. When he had fin
ished, Judge Thomas held a consultation
with the attorneys, and about half-past
eleven the Instructions were read to the
jury. The usual Information was given As
10 the legal definition of wilfuI, deliberate,
premeditated, and of malice aforethought,
with the additional instruction that if or
rick was accessory to the murder, he was
just as guilty il he had fired the gun him.
self.
Prosecuting Attorney Sheets opened the
argument and was followed in the afternoon
by Messrs. Anthony and Walker for the de-
Tense, and Ranev closed for the State. The
defence asked for acquittal on the ground of
reasonable doubt and the absence of direct
testimony proving he guilt of the accused.
The State hammered along the evidence
and hey und question presented good case.
Orrisk vas very attentive throughout the
case and eyed all the witnesses very closely
but beyond this he was cool and seh-posses-
>ed and his demanor was much more that of
an interested lookeron than a man who was
being tried for his life.
Mr.. Raney completed his talk by five
O'Clock in the afternoon and the jury retired.
b. +. Russell was chosen as foreman and the
first ballot showed five for acquittal and sew
en- for conviction. Four subsequent bal
lots were taken and at twelve O'Clock Fore
man Russell informed the Sheriff that the
jury had agreed upon verdict. Judge
Thomas was apprlsed of the fact and told
the Sheriff to put the jury to bed and wait
until morning.
Promptly at eight O'Clock the defendant
and attorneys appeared in Court. The judge
asked, gentlemen, have you agreed on
yerdict:' ave have" was the reply. The
sheriff then handed the verdict TO Judge
Thomas who read: "We, the jury, find the
defendant guilty charged in the indict-
ment." The announcement seemed to at
feet every person IN the court room more
than it did Orrick who preserved his usual
stoid and determined look. The jury was
poled and then discharged. Defendants
att orneys Immediately offered a motion for
a new trial and the court took recess in
order to allow time for preparing the papers
and securing the evidence.
Shortly before noon court re-convened and
the defense, in support of the motion for d
new trial, stated that Jas. Presnel, one of
jurors, had been heard to express an opin-
ion in the case previous to the trial. The
jGdge didn't consider, the evidence sufficient |
to Justify new trial, however, and then sem |
fenced the defendant, JnO. Henry Orrick, to |
be hung on Friday, February 9th, 1891 |
Court then adjourned, and the prisoner was |
taken back to jail to await the day of his
sentence unless something intervenes be-
tween now and that time to avert his APP
preaching fate.
Messrs. Walker and Anthony state, how
ever, that they will carry the case to the
Supreme Court and use every effort In their
power to save their clients life. No matter
what view a person may have of Orrick's
guilt or innocence, all will agree that these
two attorneys deserve great credit for the
manner in which they have fought this
case and that without money and without
price--they having been appointed to defend
the prisoner by the court.
The history OF the case together with
history of the Orricks would be an interest
ing one. The defendant and his brother,
Louis, We're especially noted in and around
Gads Hill being hard characters. Louis
was shot in Wayne county little over
year ago while resisting arrest. John Henry
has been indicted numerous times, escaped
from the Greenville Jail in June, 1889, while
being confined on the present charge, but
was retaken in a couple of weeks. The case
was brought to this county on a change of
venue about year ago and trial was had
last June, which resulted in a hung jury
The people of Wayne county will feel espec-
tally gratiied at the result, and the prevail
ing opinion here is that the verdict is a right
eous one and that only justice has been
melted out.