The record-union., 1893-10-18
THREE TIMES AND OUT.
Result of the District Attorneys Inning
Against "Larrupin."
Verdict of Acquittal In the Taylor
Arson Case--It Was Something
Of Surprise.

The concluding hours of the trial of
Jack Taylor for arson, in burning the
stable of McKinstry & Angraves at
Gait, were witnessed by large number
who were curious to listen to the argu
ments of the opposing counsel, anticipat-
ing lively contest of wits and tongues.
They were doomed to disappointment,
however, for when the court had con-
vened and the jurors had answered to
their names, Grove L. Johnson, counsel
for the defense, arose and said that the
defense was willing to submit the case
without argument.
District Attorney Ryan consulted a
moment with the prosecuting witness,
McKinstry, and announced that he would
submit the case.
A recess Of half an hour was taken to
allow Judge Catlin to arrange some por-
lions of his charge, which the unexpected
proceeding had rendered necessary.
After the court had finished reading the
instructions Mr.. Johnson asked that they
might be given to the jury TO take them
to their room.
District Attorney Ryan objected, on
the ground that the court might not have
delivered them exactly as they were
NAltLOns AS buO1 NCl6 Sldlbu ny lHS
court to be the same, he withdrew his
objection and they were delivered to the
jury. The latter were out an hour and a
half when they came into court and an
nounced that they had agreed On a ver-
dict of not guilty.
District Attorney Ryan was seen in his
office after the verdict had been rendered.
Despite the GOODNESS of the midi OctO ber
day, MIR. Ryan was very warm-in fact,
it would not be going out of the way to
say he was hot.
He did not care to say much on the
subject of the outcome of the trial, but he
looked as if he were in danger of ex-
ploding if he did not soon let off some of
his steam.
II was satisfied the jury would have to
find for the prisoner" he remarked,
under the courts instructions. Because
Deputy Sheriff Alter said to Taylor in
the Jail that the best thing the latter could
do would be to own up to the truth, the
remark was held to be the offering of an
1nducement to Taylor to confess. 1t was
never intended to be anything of the
kind, for Alter was not in position to
promise the prisoner anything. 1t was
merely offered by him as bit of advice
such as one friend might offer another
who happened to be in trouble.
1t is very discouraging to prOsecut-
ing officer to see case like that of Tay-
AO1 . OIlN III SuC1 d way 16I6 we ndu
the direct confession of Dobson, who says
he went with Taylor to Gait, and that they
started the Tre which burned McKinstry
d Angraves' barn and hotel, but were not
allowed to put it in evidence; and then
Taylor himself practically admitted his
guilt when he sent for me to see him in
Jail and asked me If he would be let off
with light sentence in case he should
plead guilty.
''I told him 1 could make no promises;
that the matter OF administering punish
ment belonged alone to the court, but that
usually courts were lenient with persons
who pleaded guilty and saved the public
the cost of trials.
with all these facts before US, and
many others going to show that Taylor
and Dobson went from Lodi to Gait and
set that fire, it is very discouraging to
have to try the case three times and then
have it end in this way. However, it can't
be helped"