Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-17
IN THE JURY'S HANDS.
Waiting for the Verdict in the Solon
EmbeZzlement Suits.
SPEECHES MADE BY THE COUNSEL
Judge Eagles Charge Is Favorable to
Mundorf and Ball.
THE JURORS WANT ALL The EVIDENCE

The Solon case went to the jury yesterday
afternoon at $3.50 o'clock, and the verdic
will not be known until this morning al
$50. The whole of yesterday was taken NJ
with the addresses of counsel and charge of
the Court
Mr.. Patterson spoke first, devoting nearly
his entire speech to the history of the or.
der. He said Godfrey was the man who
had built up the organization, spending {
great deal of his time and money, and that
now he stands charged with crimes against
it. 1t was Mundorf who first reported the
apparent shortage to Ball, and the latter
took steps to have the charges investigated.
Yet they all stand charged with conspiring
to ruin the order they worked so hard to
maintain. Mr.. Patterson said the prose-
cutor mad participated in the paving OF
warrants over the counter, thing he had
complained so much about The speaker
urged that the defendants should be acquit-
ted and the costs put on the prosecutor,
whom he said had falsely brought the
charges.
Mr.. Robb followed, saying that the whole
case is persecution. "What has bothered
me-" said be, sis where is Beatty? Where
is the man who accused Godfrey of being
$4,000 short? Where is the man who
seems to be behind the case? He is the
man who kept the books where the alleged
shortage was found.
Not Called TO Testify.
"He was not put on the stand TO explain
this matter, but he was cleverly Suppressed
in this case We have shown that at the
time Godfrey was charged with being 81 1853
short, he was really $40 long and L ask that
the defendants be ACQUITTED.
Mr. Porter then began his address which
was not finished until the afternoon
session. He said: eve have shown you
that between September % and October 25
GODFREY deposited to the credit of Solons
over Sl2, 900 more than was received bv the
order from all sources He raised this to
cover his shortage. He had used the funds
o. the order, and to cover this shortage he
got money from some source and deposited
it. but that still left him 81, 300 short and
how was that made up? Godfrey
was suspended October 3, but he
kept the KEYS OF the cash drawer.
of this amount $500 was Godfrey's
check on his private account. 1 believe
NIundorf Why didn't Godfrey show the
experts who examined his books this money
he claimed to have in the cash drawer? Be-
cause it wasn't there. All this talk about
there being "a, 900 OF IS, 600 in the drawer
is nonsense, and you or L don't believe
it"
Judge Slagie then charged the jury. His
address was considered a very iair and i'm
partial one so far as Godfrey is concerned,
but he very plainly indicated that he did
rot think NIundorf or Ball should be con-
victed He cited the law bearing on en-
bezzlement and conspiracy, and reviewed
the evidence in the present case.
Godfrey's Duty to the Experts.
In speaking Of the Sc, 900 in warrants that
we're said to have been drawn after Septem-
Der 25, Judge Slagle thought this could not
affect the condition of the treasury prior to
that date, and should not be so considered.
He said Godfrey should have shown the ex-
perts whatever money he had on hand and
assisted them in any wav possible to arrive
at a correct audit and his failure to do so
might be reasonable grounds for bringing
the suit.
When the iurv retired they asked for all
the checks and warrants in the case, to-
gether with the report of the experts and
the bank book. There was disposition at
first not to let these 60 to the jury room, but
thev were finally given to the jury.
The Court waited until after o'clock,
but there was no Indication that a verdict
would be arrived at last night, when an ad-
lournment was taken until this morning.