The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-05-13

may be can only be surmised. A
careful study of the known facts
leads to three conclusions-that while
there is reasonable grounds for grave
suspicion as to Crocker's guilt, he can
never be convicted on the testimony
in sight or even on additional evil
dence stronger in character, because
the element of doubt is very great
when taken in conjunction with
Crocker'S previous good reputation.
Judge Corn. one of the principal at
torneys for the defense, was very free
to discuss the case, and followed 1t
out in all its details. He is able 10
give a lucid explanation of the con-
duct of his client and only admits
ehat it is possible that Crocker had
the opportunity TO kill Booth, but he
disclaims the inclination, and right
there is where the prosecution is weak
because there is no act of Crocker's
which can be pointed to as indicating
that his heart was ever inclined to
murder. He never said anything
against Booth indicating determine
ton TO retaliate.
An Anonymous Letter.
The following letter has recently
come to light. The name of the mem
Der of the grand jury to whom it was
addressed is withheld for the reason
that the officers do not care to make
it public now. Other similar letters
have been received by other parties:
Please pardon my way of commu-
nicating with you as your being one
of the graud jury. dare not approach
you in public. l wish you 10 use your
influence on some Of the jury so it
will be impossible for them to bring
in an indictment against Mr.. Crocker.
1 am satisfied you can do it; if you
will, know you are in need of money
and now is your opportunity to get
your head above water; do your best
and bill is not found you will get
your reward and will make myself
known to you later
A FRIEND"
Very little Importance is attached
to the above letter. 1t is after the
style of letters written by cranks. who
wish to create a sensati ton. 1t is en-
tirely too indefinite to be of service
to the defendant. Croker is now in
the county Jail pending the trial of
his case. An application has been made
to the supreme court for trial, which
Judge Corn says will certainly be
granted.
The case has been advanced on the
docket and will be heard May %. The
trial of the case will come up in Sep
TENDER next; when the guilt or inno-
cence of the accused will be deter !
mined 10y a jury of his peers.
The outcome will be awaited with
great interest in this section, where
all of the parties were known, as well
as in Wyoming.
The Arrest Not II Surprise.
Crockers arrest on the 18th of April
was not a surprise to he people of Ev-
anston as it was knoW2 thax the grand
jury was considering the case. Sheriff
Ward has been criticized because ne Sc
lected. so it is claimed. a jury that was
unfriendly to Croker. but the
facts do not seem to indicate unfairness. /
And upon inquiry the general opinion
seems to be that the grand jury was an
impartial one. Certain il is that it was
composed of representative citizens.
1t is well known that some things were
brought out before the grand jury that
have not been made public and it is
limited that the indictment was in the
main based on evidence entirely indie
pendent of what has been made public.
Whether this is true or not could not be
determined from the inquiry made by
The Herald representative as the lips of
the members of the jury are sealed.
A very large cash reward is offered for
the apprehension of Booths murderer,
amounting to about 5000. and the attor-
neys for the defense are inclined to be-
lieve that it was the reward which
brought to light the evidence which pro-
cured Crocker's indictment. Some of the
most noted detectives in the United
States have worked on the case but the
result of their investigation will not be
known until the trial of the case.
Croker was seen in the county jail
where he is kept in solitary confinement,
subjected 10 restrictions which his attor
ney claims are not warranted by law.
He talks freely and is glad to receive
callers. He was not asked for a state
ment BECAUSE of a promise made to his
attorney that he would not be asked to
talk for publication He shows the ef-
fects of his confinement yet he does not
act and talk like a guilty man, and as
has been said before, if he is guilty he is
certainly the coolest criminal ever ae-
cused of such crime.