Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-05-31


more or less remotely connected him with
the crime and giving his own personal YER
sion of evidence that strongly tended to
show that he had improperly tempered
with witnesses, than to the publication of
the testimony of any other witness sworn
in the case either for or against the pros
ecution.
While it is now the privilege of the
NEW MEXICAN to comment on the cele-
brated case as it sees fit, restrained only
by the bounds of reason and truth, it has
very little more to add at this time. The
verdict, Guilty as charged IN the indict-
ment," IN case like the one under con-
slderation, is more than equivalent to
volumes of ordinary comment. 1t seems
just, however, to say that throughout the
wearlsome trial Judge Hamilton presided
with marked patience, ability and impair
TALLY. His rulings on the multiplicity
of delicate questions raised by counsel
were prompt, free from prejudice or
bias, and notably clear and concise. His
charge to the jury, printed verbatim in
amply attests his mastery of plain Eng
lish, his knowledge of the law and his fine
judicial mind. The jury that he addressed,
the jury that listened to the many col
umns of testimony, sifted and examined
it, and reached verdict in fifteen hours
after it was all before its members, was
ono of tho most attentive and honest
looking juries that ever sat in the box.
It must have been at least approximately
satisfactory to both sides at the begin
ming, for neither side exhausted all their
peremptory challenges.
The prosecution was conductedE swith
much more than ordinary vigor, earnest
ness and ability by District Attorney
Crist and his untiring assistants, Messrs.
W. H. Pope and Fl. l.. Ortiz, and these
gentlemen have just cause to be proud of
the fact that, largely through their well
directed efforts and energy. a righteous
verdict was reached and justice and law
indicated. The defense was conducted
by Mr.. 7. B. Catron, recognized as prob
ably the most experienced and powerful
criminal lawyer in New Mexico, actively
assisted by his partner, Mr.. G. A. Spiess,
and it is fair presumption that it was
as strong aud complete as it could pos
sibly have been made, but the evidence
was SO overwhelming c'colored," if you
please) that all of Mr.. Catron's artful per-
suasion, skilIful methods and unques-
toned ability and learning as lawyer,
proved totally unavailing. His interjec-
tion of his own personality into the case
as q witness, and the manifest misconduct
of both himself and his partner in tam
pering with and apparently coaching wit
nesses, were the principal flaws in his
defense. But the verdict so sufficiently
rebukes his violations of propriety, de-
corum and legal ethics in these respects
that nothing more need be said upon this
subject for the present.
The correctness and business of the
verdict seem to the NEW MEXICAN as clear
as sunlight. Honest and reasoning men
could have arrived at no other conclusion.
Its effect will be wholesome. 1t teaches
lessons of vital moment. 1t teaches that,
however carefully guarded and cunningly
concealed, murder will ont, and that
juries can be found in New Mexico who
will fearlessly sustain law AMI order and
courageously meet out even and exact
Justice to all criminals, however intluen-
tial may be their supporters politically
or otherwise.