The Hope pioneer., 1897-12-23
THE LuXTO>Q TRIAL,

Mary Luxton's trial for tho murder Of
Ole Halverson, was called at Grand
Forks last Thursday morning. Her at
| torneys were present in her behalf and
during the week several witnesses from
| Inkster and Crookston, were examined
by the state. Saturday morning States
Attorney Hamilton surprised everybody
present by saying the state would rest
it's case.
The witnesses examined testified to
practically the same story as appeared
in The Pioneer shortly after the murder.
| The jurymen selected, are: Thos
Steadman, Jr., Robt. Milne, M. G. Co.'S
griff, J. E. Dow, George w. Aker, G. L.
GRADER, Isaac e. G. Elwood. L. A. New
ton, John Lynch, George B. Winship and
| A. Abrahamsen.
Monday morning Miss Luxton's attor-
ney Mr.. Cochranc, addressed the jury
for the Defence as follows:
II congratulated the county and the
defendant that in this case they have an
extraordinarily intelligent Jury. This
was not case to be decided by eenti-
ment or perjudice, but it needed men
whose intelligence and impartiality was
such that they could weight and balance
the condition of mind of the defendant,
at the time the fatal shot was fired. The
statutes of this state say that person
cannot commit crime who is deprived
or bereft of tho reasoning faculty so that
she could not distinguish the wrong of
such an act. as Mary Luxton was on
November q, cannot commit crime.
The young girl charged under this in
formation, is the daughter of man who
was addicted to the use of Intoxicating
liquors and who died in Canada when
she was seven years old. When she
came to Dakota she went into domestic
service. She inherited from her parents
decidedly nervous temperament and at
various times has been subject to puer
pcral insanity. and what is known as
falling sickness, during attacks of which
she would fall over in fits Of unconscious
ness. On three occasions the defendant
while child was thrown from a vehiyle
which also affected her nervous system.
Though but % years of age she had suf-
fered from pal pitation of the heart, such
as also affected her mother before the
attacks mentioned.
When she camo to Dakota she took
service with the same employer as Ole
Halvorson and after an acquaintance of
three or four months they became recog-
nized as lovers. lie was her first love OF
manly form, and in many respects gen.
erous disposition, and paid her the little
attentions which so cement woman's
love. He took her to Sunday school and
together they sang from the same book.
They became definitely engaged in Jan
uary, 'oG, and until the time of tho visit
home to her mother in Canada he was
constant and devoted in his attentions
During the harvest season she went to
work for Duncan Park in order to earn
more to start their home. On the advice
of her sister and for her protection from
insult among the threshers, this revolver
was purchased for her by her sister.
This is not a Case where a revolver is
purchased for the purpose of revenge,
but Ole knew she had it a year ago and
taught her how to use it, driving with
her over the prairies shooting gophers.
Last May she had been engaged to be
married, and she had worn his ring for
six months, though they had tacitly
understood each other for more than q
year. She then arranged TO visit her
mother in Canada and he arranged for
for their marriage at the close of the
threshing season. At Hope at that time
her lover, under his solemn promise of
marriage. he overcamc her virtue, and
on more than one occasion he had sexual
intercourse with her.
When she returned to Hope from her
visit to her mother, bringing with her
such goods as bed clothes and other
furnishings for her expected home Ole
met her on her return in loving way,
and she again went into service. the
marriage still being arranged for the end
OF September, but soon after her return
he asked to have it postponed, to which
she consented. Again and again tho
marriage was post poned and we shall
show by evidence the gradual change in
the condition of her mind. caused by the
foar which finally crcpt upon her that
he did not intend to fulfill his promise,
but that his love was waning.