The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-03-24
TO SAVE PBENDERGAST
The Legal Fight in the Chicago
Murdaror's Interest.
WAS IT AN ILLEGAL REsPITB9

Chicago's District Attorney Claims That It
Was aud There Are Grave Complications.
Messrs. barrow and GrcGrory, Prcndcr-
casts Lawyers, Working without Pay.
CHICAGO, March 24-The Prendcrgast
insanity hearing came up in Judge Chut-
lain's court this morning The state en-
ters upon the case under protest. but is
preparing to introduce expert testimony
to show that the assassin is at the present
time responsible for his acts The case
for Preudergast will be conducted 10y At
torneys Gregory and Darbow, who will he
assisted by the lawyers who conducted the
defense before Judge Brentano.
Neither side expect to devote much time
TO getting jury. In fact, Attorney Dar-
row has proposed TO the states attorney
that the case be submitted to IA jury of
physicians, stating that he would abide by
the decision reached by the medical men,
States Attorney kerns, however, declined
to agree to the suggestion at once, but
took the proposition under advisement.
The situation as presented by he states
attorney is that the court had no author
ity to issue a stay Of execution. which was
/ and has no jurisdiction in the case. Trou-
/ BILE for some one is anticipated il it should
be found that the murderer is insane. The
! law distinctly states, it is said, that should
the hour for an execution pass without
the fulfllment Of the law the sheriff is re-
sponsible for the miscarriage of justice.
All manner of legal difficulties are autici-
pated rs a result of a declaration of sanity.
AttppppNr - - 0a "A t,.l ba
farther away from Chicago you get the
more bitter you will Il the feeling
against Prendergast. Ia 0 southern part
of the state the prejudice Is intense. With
out knowing the first thing about the case,
or considering the mental condition of
Prendergast, they say hang him.
MY entire interest in this case" con-
tinued Mr.. Darrow who is remarkably in
earnest in his effort to save Prendergast,
sis that of humane man. Soon after the
! assassination of Mayor Harrison | became
impressed with the idea that the outcast
who had taken his life was insane, and
would not receive just treatment in the
criminal court. The case was one that
could not be passed upon by the average
citizen without prejudice My views were
published in Chicago paper, and at once
defendant and members of his family.
! "At the lroquis club | met many promi-
nent men, members of the bench and bar,
who entertained my views. When Prem
dergast was sentenced TO be hanged they
argued that some one should take up the
case. Mr. Gregory and l agreed to do so,
and from that time we have done all in our
power to save Prendergast from the gal
laws. All that we have done has been in
the interest of justice. We have given our
time without compensation, and have
borne all our own expenses. Neither Mr..
) Gregory nor myself expect any compensa-
tion for what we have done or may be able
to accomplish"
Messrs. Darrow and Gregory are among
the foremost lawyers in Chicago. Their
interest in the case has been surprise as
neither needs advertising and both eschew
criminal practice.