The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-05-21

The trial of Henry Cook. of Windham. ch arged
Wednesday forenoon in the Common Pleas, and
a verdict of guilty. on both counts returned at
o'clock Saturday morning, after deliberation
of fourteen honrs by the jury.
The crime was committed about midnight of
October 13. 1889. and consisted of defendant break
ing into the house of George S. Pinney. ~ miles
south of Windham Center. Cook was soon after
ward arrested and preliminary hearing had be
fore Esquire Angel of that place. conducted by
E. W. Maxson. ESQ.,, the result of which was that
defendant was bound over to Court charged with
burglary. larceny and rape. and indicted at the
January term by the grand jury. and being un-
| able to secure bail was held for trial. Geo. r.
Pinney was the prose cutting witness.
In casting about for an attorney to defend him
he reasoned that. on the assumption of his inno-
cence. which he of course claimed. it as plenary
evidence of his distinguished ability for a lawyer
to convince court of his guilt and if that lawyer
was able to successfully practice his arts before
an experienced magistrate learned in legal mat
| ters. fortiori. would be able to mould the
minds of inexperienced jurors into exact con-
| formity with his own declarations. and he there
| fore employed the man who labored so hard
against him in the first instance, who was assisted
in the defense by l.. L. Jones. ESQ.,. of Newton
Falls.
The State claimed that Cook went to the house
and broke pane of glass in the window of tht
bedroom occupied by Mrs. Melissa R. Pinney
wife of the prosecuting witness. through which
he introduced lot of chIoroform, and then affect
ed an entrance to the house by going through tht
cellar and forcing the door leading to the rooms
above. Mrs. Pinney was awakened by the noise
and first saw and recognized Cook. when he wa
but few feet away and before the frightenet
lady could offer any resistance he applied a elotl
saturated with chloroform to her face. over whicl
he threw folded sheet, holding them in posi-
ton until she became stupefied. He then accom-
r plished his purpose. stole $l2 and made his es
cape. Mrs, Pinney remained in an unconsciou
state until about o'clock in the morning.
This is substantially what was claimed by tn
a State. and in view of the fact that rape would
}, more difficult to prove than burglary and arcen!
g it was deemed advisable to try defendant first o
= the last named counts, The first trial was hel
If at the January term. and resulted in disagree
r ment of the jury. the vote standing to 6. Bl
q the proof in the second trial was conclusive an
the jury performed its work we'll. rendering
e verdict in accordance with the evidence adduce
e Conviction in such cases is matter of deep col
Germ to the people of Portage county, as well
l. those of every community, for the crimes charge
- include one of the most heinous offenses know
in the category of criminal conduct. Especial
=, were the people of Windham interested in ha
= ing the offender brought to justice. and th
: evinced so much earnestness that the Prosecute
- in Difference to their wishes, employed Hon.
= P. Wolcott of Kent, a favorite attorney wi
-, Windham people. to assist him in the prosec
- - tion 1t is but fair to state in this connectic
Of however. that the greater portion of his fee "
~ paid by Mr.. Pinney, and will not be taxed
|