The San Francisco call., 1895-11-02
THE JUDGES CHARGE.
Full Text of the Courts Exhaustive
Review of the Law of
the Case.

Judge Murphy throughout the long trial
has displayed uniform vigilance and pa-
tience. This was peculiarly demonstrated
in the exhaustive charge delivered to the
jury yesterday. Judge Murphy's charges
are famous throughout the country, and
the full text of the important document
yesterday is therefore given as follows:
In the Superior Court OF the City and County
of .an Francisco. State of California, Depart
ment 3-Hon. D. J. Murphy. Judge.
The People of the State of California VS.. w.
II. 7. purrant, charged with murder.
Gentlemen of the jury: 1t must be e source
OF qualification 10 the counsel in this case as
indeed ii is to the court, that our respective
duties are drawing to close, and to you,
gentlemen of the jury. il must be doubly a
matter for cOngratulation that your protracied
and wearisome duties are soon to come to an
end.
To all of US in the discharge of our duties
this trial has been long and toilsome, but lar
more so 10 you, men of active stirring occupa-
tions. unused to the confinement and restraints
which this service has imposed upon you !;
but you must remem Der, gentlemen, that it is
6 duty and service required of all good citizens
While this service is not OF your own choosing
the law has chosen You to perform this i'm
portant duty which is to determine the great
issue involved in this trial between the State
aad the prisoner at the bar.
Il is indeed high and responsible public
duty that you are chosen to perform. Sitting
here, as you are, IN judgment upon the life or
liberty OF fel!2w- being. the responsibility for
the faithful and mpartial adm nistration and
enforcement of the criminal law rests upon
you. The constitution and laws OF our State
prescribe that every person accused OF crime
shall be entitled TO trial by jury, and in
obedience to its mandate you have been
brought here from your respective avocatIons
to listen 10 the evidence and to determine the
important question OF the guilt or innocence
OF this defendant.
accused lcls represented
5y three able gentlemen.
BY the same constitution and law is guaran-
sented by counsel. In this case the accused
has availed himself of the services of the three
gentlemen who have appeared Tor him, able
ana learned IN their profession, and how we'll
and ably they have discharged their duties
toward the defendant you all know. On the
other hand the people represented by the
learned District Attorney and his assistant
elected By the people for the purpose OF seeing
that the criminal laws of the land are en-
forced; that these gentlemen have ably and
fhithfully performed the duties of their Office
is apparent TO all.
In your capacity as jurors you represent the
State and one of the highest achievements of
human government is 10 place twelve good
and true mon in the juIy-box to pass upon
and determine the issues submitted to them
IN a forum like this, with twelve honest Jurors
IN the box, society, individual safety, lie and
property are protected.
We all recognize the necessity of laws and
tne equal necessity of their Just and impartial
enfCrcem ant, for The enforcement OF the law is
the safeguard OF al we hold most dear; with
ont Just and efficient enforcement the law af.
fcrds no protection; 1t is only by the punish