The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1897-11-05

answered by asking, "Don't that suit
your" and had then shot his victim
without just provocation.
The defense claimed that the defend
ant had drawn the pistol from his
pocket and fired only after Wood had
snapped his gun. This theory was sup
ported only by defendants own testi-
mony, told in tragic manner, with
wild gesticulations, which clearly
showed he had overstudied his part
The defendants attorney worked up
an able and ingenious theory to de-
monstrate that the shot which struck
Wood could not have been fired in the
manner described, as it was a physical
impossibility for the missile to have
taken the course it did were the posi-
tions of the men and guns as described.
Take it altogether Mr.. Watts made
very admirable defense for which he is
entitled to great credit. He being
the verdict rendered, proved his ability.
The examination of witnesses occu-
pied all of Thursday and was conclud-
ed and arguments made and the in
structions of the Court given, and the
jury retired Friday evening. The ver-
dict of "Guilty of Murder in the Sec
ond Degree" was rendered, Saturday
morning. The Judge sentenced the
convicted man to the penitentiary for
life, at the same time telling him he
had been very fortunate, through his
ably conducted defense in escaping the
greater punishment.
1t is reported that upon the first bal
lot taken, eleven of the jurors voted
for a verdict for murder in the first
degree.
So far as we have heard the matter
discussed the verdict and sentence
meets with general approval, and the
people express the hope that it will put
a check on the wild and wanton use of
guns. which has marred the good name
of Owyhee.
-
The case of Evan l.. Williams, charged
with assault with intent to commit
murder, made on the person of Frank
Wilson, in DeLamar, June IL, 1897,
came up for trial Monday ,25th, at Silver
City and occupied two days, the jury
being out over night before verdict
was rendered. They made it light on
the old man by bringing in a verdict of
Assault with d eadly Weapon" the
severest penalty for which, is two years
Imprisonment and fine of $1,000 The
Judge, also, let him off easy, by only
imposing the prison sentence, which he
gave him up to the limit. 1t was re-
marked that Williams appeared proud
of the notorioty he bad gained. He is
a peculiar man, being daft on the sub
ject OF being a detective and peace
officer.
~
After the verdict was rendered
against Evan T.. Williams and he was
remanded to Jail to await sentence,
with bail for the day intervening fixed
at 5000, the officers took three guns
out of harness, worn under his vest.
What master stroke it would have
been for the prosecution, had the Dis
trict Attorney demanded that he be
searched in open court, in the presence
of the jury, while the trial was onl An
abiding passion for loading himself
down with "weepins," amounted almost
to insanity in this peculiar person, and
got him into trouble. He had been |
told that it would many and many a |
time.
~
1t is to be hoped that two examples
made in Silver City last week of this
class of offenders will put check upon
the "gun-plays" so frequently made
here. There has been too many chan
ces to punish these bad men let pass in
Owyhee. A few such juries as the ones
at the recent term of court would stop |
the business. Thanks to an efficient
Sheriff and an open venire, the one
man to hang jury, as one man so fire.
quently has done in criminal trials,
was conspicuous by his absence.
|
Plenty of Ronrn.