The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-02-12

to the door takes deliberate
aim and fires at Henry, intending
to shoot him through the heart, but
the bullet went through the arm near
the heart. Mr.. and Mrs. Bornt and
Fora Bornt all saw the aim taken and
the shot fired. Crook has to account
for his stopping at the barn door, and
claims that he was dazed and says
that he did not see the team. Gen.
tlemen of the jury, Crook was watch
ing young Bornt at that
moment, and did not notice the bug
gy. Gentlemen, look at the malice
of this man. He talks about provo
cation and justification. His account
of the conversation in the barn is YER
batim with that of the other wit
nesses up to the very last words,
where he injects some words to help
himself out. Even if his own story is
correct, why did he shoot three
times at Bornt? Bornt was unarmed,
and Crook knew that he kept his re-
volver in the house. When Bornt
went to get up from his milking
stool, with the milk pail in one hand,
he put his other hand back
to steady the milking stool, as a mixer
always does. Yet the entire defense
rests upon this one simple movement.
Bornt fires, fires second time, then
third time. Was Crook stunned
when he stopped before firing the last
shot? If there was not malice here
and determination to kill,
where do you ever get it? Here
is the evidence of three witnesses
on the spot, and the ante-mortem
statement. This is not a case where
the evidence is circumstantial, but
there are three or four witnesses who
actually saw the affair. A statement
made when a man is on the thres-
hold of death, facing the great future
and leaving the affairs of his life be-
hind. perhaps to face his Maker the
next moment, should be sgiven the
greatest credence. Mr.. Hughes
quoted freely from transcription of
the official stenographer's report of
the testimony of Mr.. and Mrs. Hiram
Bornt, Fora Bornt, and from the ante
norton statement of the deceased.
1 have a most profound sorrow for
Crooks mother, sister and other rela
tives, for they are good people. l
would not think much of them if
they did not cling to and shield their
wayward son in every way that they
truthfully can The sister was put
on the stand only to influence the
jury, for she testified to nothing, only
cried. There is more excuse for man
who has poor bringing up and sur
roundings to commit crime, than for
one who has other surroundings. The
juries must carry out the laws of the
land, to preserve society. If the laws
are executed, it will bring terror to
evil doors and safety to citizens in
general. There is sometimes SYM
pathy for murderers. But what about
the victim who lies Wondering in a
grave at Amboy? How about the
aged parents of this boy? Where was
the pity shown the innocent victim by
Crook when he shot defenceless man
who was in a defenceless position?
There was a'slight attempt made by
the defence to besmirch the reputa-
tion of the deceased. Not one of these
witnesses, who had known him for
twenty-three years, had ever heard of
his committing an assault, or using
language to provoke one. 1t is true
that one night when crowd of hood
lums went by hooting and shouting,
he fired his pistol off. If Crook
thought that Bornt was quarrelsome
man, he had no business to go there.
If this is not murder in the first de-
gree, don't know what it is. The
states witnesses were the best class
of people. I only ask you to do what
you think is your duty. l have no de-
sire to seek the life of anyone, but we
owe it to ourselves and to society to
see that the laws of our country are
executed. Gentlemen, l thank you
for your attention.
Mr.. Hughes spoke for an hour and a
half. A brief recess was taken.
The Defense Closes.
Mr.. Young made the closing argu-
ment for the defense, beginning at
10:45 a. m. He had partly recovered
from his illness OF yesterday, and
made a complete and finished argu-
ment, and was listened to with the
closest attention He opened by deny
ing the arguments of those who advo-
cate the abolition of the jury system.
He said that the system is the bull
work of human and American liberty.
No jury system similar to ours ever
thrived under despotism or tyranny.
1t is when jury comes into the box
Influenced by outside talk that cor
rupt verdicts are.,returned. 1t has
always been the case, from the time
of Gbrict 6oup tn tho Wi tohoroft -,