The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-08-02

sion that the state asked simple justice.
Mr.. r. T. Lozier followed Mr.. Holli-
dav in a brilliant and imprisoned
speech for the defense. His address
was long and abounded in quotations
from Holy writ and from other sources.
'sThe state" he says, ''does not de-
mand the life of these defendants.
When the people panoplied Tom Bres-
nehen with its authority it said prose-
cute, not prosecute, and when the
state puts on the stand an unworthy
witness to swear away the lives of
these defendants, in response to public
clamor, the prosecuting attorney ex-
eeeds his authority and asks you to
commit judicial murder"
Again he said: ga chain is no
stronger than it's weakest link, and
tell you there are some very weak
links in the chain of the states evil
dence." And then he proceeded to
assai1 the case of the state in a general
way and to emphasize the reasonable
doubt theory.
According to the theory of Mr..
Bresnehen and Major Mullins" he
said, ''there was convincing proof of
the guilt of both, and yet we all know
now that each was innocent and that
circumstancial evidence was not re-
liable. The weak point in the states
case is it's failure to show conclusively
that the Taylors went to Milan the
night of the murder.
cold Mother Meeks," Mr.. Lozier de-
c1ared, sis the only witness to the
point Blind McCollum did not so
testify and Johnny Hope, who said he
saw them on the road, is not to be be-
ieved. He is not only discredited by
human, but by divine, testimony. Ma
ture in its benefcence has impeached
his evidence"
This remark had reference to John
ny's testimony about the moon, which
was disproved by almanacs.
In reviewing the testimony of the
states witnesses Mr.. Lozier referred
to Blythe McCollum as a blind wit
ness, to James Harris as a sneak and
to Jerry South as a lawyer whose
name did not appear in the law direc-
tories He quoted the courts instruc-
ton to determine the credibility of
witnesses, and insisted that little
weight should be given to their stories.
South was termed a modern Judas,
seeking the confidence of the defend
ants and then endeavOring to convict
them so that he might get the reward
offered. The interest South has in
this blood money, Mr.. Lozier insisted,
should be considered with the testi-
mony he gave. In conclusion Mr.. Lo-
zier painted vivid word picture of a
double execution, and urged the jury
not to let it be said in the future that
the defendants lives were taken on
unconnected circumstantial evidence,
Following Mr.. LOzier came Mr..
Pierce, the prosecuting attorney of
Sullivan county, who delivered one
of the most effective speeches of the
day When little Nellie Meeks came to
Mrs. Carriers house, made an orphan
by most brutal murder, he and his
wife took the child to their home and
cared for it tenderly and will continue
to rear and educate her.
When Mr.. Pierce faced the jury
there was slight ripple of excitement
in the audience, and the TaylOrs
watched him with grave interest, while
the wives and children of the defend
ants left the room.
Mr.. Pierce in particular commented
upon George TaylOr's story of going to
the straw stack and kicking up the
straw and seeing Gus MeeRs' face and
showed its impossibility. George
Taylor saw the dead face of Gus
MeeIzs there" he said, because he
knew it was there; he put it there. 1t
was before his eyes all the time. He
could not help seeing it." George sat
Win 1O1OGO arms anu uAO1SOuI OSO
Nothing could phase him.
When Mr.. Pierce finished it was
after II o'clock and the court took a
recess for dinner. At the afternoon
session the crowd was greater than
ever.
Messrs Miller and MINIS, for the
state, and Stephens and Brindley, for
the defense, also delivered able
speeches, each trying to make the jury
believe their side of the story of the
murder was right.
At the night session Attorney Conk-
ling for the defense made a strong
speech discussing the law as given by
the court. At 9 o'clock Major Mullins
began mastery address, and for two
hours held the close attention of the
jury. In convincing way he summed
| up the evidence in the case. The
speech making finished at noon to-day.
Colonel J. B. Hale made the final plea
for the defense, and Attorney Bresne-
hen summed up the whole case for the
state.
At ~ o'clock the case was given to
the jury.