Arizona republican., 1895-05-30
UNVINDICATED, It Took a Jury Just About Two Minutes To Find Brother John
 Davis Guilty. The Trial Not AS ERepugnant as the Crowd Expected.
An interested Auditor Admonished Witness and Was Sent to
 Jall For Contempt.

in jaii for some months to come. Any religious service in which he may participate will have to be brought to him like his meals. In two ballots and two minutes jury yesterday afternoon found Brother John guilty of breaking through the Edmunds law. This means that he may get either six months in jail or fine of $100. This isn't much but it is great deal to Brother John and it is everything 10 the unfortunate white girl whose shame is as firmly established by the verdict as Brother Johns punishment is assured.
 This idea was made point in the plea of Geo. Purdy Bullard for the defense. "Gentlemen of the jury" said he, eff you convict this defendant the least weight of your verdict will fall upon him. You will fix an indeli- ble stigma upon that girl and not only upon her but upon her children to the third generation"
 A bigger crowd than had been dis appointed the day before witnessed the opening ot the case yesterday morning impatient of any delay in the dirty dis closure.
 The audience was again subjected to disappointment by the tactics of the prosecution which had determined tc omit all the more repugnant features of the case. And they were omitted. Only enough circumstantial evidence was in- troduced to insure colRiction so that the disclosure was no more revolting than that which is made at the average trial of persons of the same color charg- ed with immortality. The strongest witness for the prosecution was Justice Johnstone to whom Davis had proudly admitted the crim- inal relation. The testimony next strongest was furnished by Dr. J. E. Wharton and Louis Faure, whose rooms are separated only by adobe walls from Brother Johns late harem on an alley in the rear of the Steinegger lodging house. Both identified the girl as the visitor who used to spend the night at Davis room.
 The young girl herself was put on the stand and denied ali improper relations with Davis. She had associated with him, had gone to church and other places with him and she liked him she said, otherwise che would have had nothing to do with him.
 The defendant also testified and de nied everything including his admis sion to Justice Johnstone of his guilt.
 The prosecution had not made as strong case as 1t was possible tc make. Strength had been sacrificed te decency but it was evidently strong enough.
 The arguments were limited to ter minutes. Half of the time of the de fense was devoted to imploring tht jury to disregard lack of harmonious coloring in the picture offered for in spection.
 The jury went out and the audience got up to stretch it's legs. Before thii process of elongation had been fully concluded the jury returned and handed in verdict of guilty obtained on th' second ballot. On the first one jury man voted for acquittal.
 The trial was enlivened by an incl dent which had not been expected During the testimony of Dr. Wharton which was extremely salacious and de livered in low tone, voics from on of the rear benches cried Louder ? That voice belonged to William Mo Donald, whom the trial had attracted from his duties in butcher shop. H. was taking day off just to hear th' trial and had determined not to permi his enjoyment to be marred by lacl of proper acoustic properties in tn room or lack of elocutionary distinct ness in the witness.
 "Who's that cries louder ?" asked
 Judge Baker indignantly. MT. Mo Donald was thrown into bold relic against large colored man who sat al rectly behind him and who put hi hand on Mir. McDonald's shoulder, thu pointing him out to the court. MI Mcdonald was invited to come forwar and take a place among the lawyers the prisoner and newspaper reporter and other prominent personages wher
 he could hear more distinctly. "Why did you cry out louder? |? asked the court. MT. Mcdonald wa } argumentative and defiant. "Well, said he, ''its business for the witness | talk so he can be heard" 'Its nor of your bnsiness.to be here at all, 7 rejoined the court; ''you had no bus ness to leave your work to be preser at this trial and it is only the court business to admonish witnesses {
 speak louder. will send you to th