Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-09-22
THE MANXILLE CASE.
GUILTY OF MURDER IN THE SEC.
ONO DEGREE.

ONO DEGREE.
The General Impression Is that ih'
Verdict In a Light One-The Rea
son Why II was 40 Rendered-Th'
Prisoners Department Under
neutrality-suspicious. for New Tria
Set for Monday.
The result OF the Manville trial, 8
verdict of murder in the second de
gree, was not unexpected by a ma
jOrity OF those who listened to the
evidence. 1t was unfortunate for the
prosecution that their principal wit
ness was man who did not appear tC
the best advantage on the witness
stand. He was doubtless honest ant
sincere, but lacking in that menta
vigor which carries conviction with
: the words uttered. That he did no
know his own age and was deficient il
knowledge usually possessed by mer
of ordinary intelligence, and that h
was sometimes under the influence o
stimulants, doubtless had some etfec
in producing. that doubt OF premedita
ton which establishes the grade o
crime. Manville can thank his luck,
stars that this fact was employed tC
the best advantage by his counsel, Of
he would have been convicted of tn,
greater crime. AS it was, seven Of The
twelve jurymen, on the first ballo
found verdict OF murder in the frs
degree, three for manslaughter, ant
two for acquittal.
Manville's department since the
murder, whether natural or assumed
has not helped his case. If natural, il
indicates an utter want of these fine
sensibilities which would have re
strained exhibition of animosity be
You'd the grave, and shown respect due
the grief OF those which his act has
plunged into the depths Of sorrow. A
man who could utter the ribald jes
about his victim while the knell wa.
tolling, or who could appear with
smiles in the presence of SO profound &
grief caused by his own hands, must
be as devoid of conscience as the Grim
inal who kills from the morbid i'm
pulse that actuates Jack the Ripper.
If assumed, it shows him TO be mos,
self-possessed and finished actor, but
of poor judgment, for he overacted hi.
part, and the assumption of a cheer
fulness he did not feel, and of q con
fidence in popular judgment which
under the most favorable view of his
transgression, could not be enter
tanned, has but weakened his cause
with all who, like the jury, are sup
posed to enter upon the formation o
judgment without prejudice or bias
in any way. 1t was bold part te
play, and required the nerve thai
would pull the trigger against a hu
man being.
The defense have asked for a new
trial, on the usual grounds Of newl,
discovered evidence and error, although
the industry of counsel for defense in
obtaining evidence" has been noted
and the trial throughout has been re-
markably clear of any ground fol
technical error. This motion will bt
heard Monday, meantime application
for release on 5000 bail has beer
denied, the court holding that bal
was not a matter of right after convic
ton and before new trial or appeal.
1t is impossible to close this article
without giving expression to the popu
lar sentiment which prevails that this
has been an exceedingly fair and i'm
partial trial. There has been scarcel,
point of disagreement between the
opposing counsel, and Judge Jordon''
charge to the jury was a model o.
clearness and conciseness. 1t received
cordial praise of the bar, and was pro
nounced an able statement OF all thu
points of law by the attorneys on both
sides. How, under such circum
stances, an appeal can be taken, or {
new trial asked, except to subvert thu
ends OF justice, is beyond human com
prehension.
The attorneys for the defense
Messrs. Skillman and Kleber hav'
saved their client from conviction TO
q deeper crime, maintaining the higt
reputation which the former gentle
man enjoys as criminal lawyer
Judge Root, the States counsel, alst
made an excellent record in this case
The punishment for murder in tn,
second degree is confinement in thu
penitentiary not less than ten no
more than twenty years.