The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-05-13
That Is the Defense Put Up For
Douglass BY His Attorneys.
PRENATAL INFLUENCES
EXPERT TESTIMONY TO BE IN
PRODUCED ON BOTH SIDES.
Many Neighbors Tell of the Shooting
AS They Observed It-Others Re-
peat Confessions of the Prisoner
His Attorneys Admit That He
Committed the Crime.

| Good progress was made in the trial
of John D. Douglass for murder yes
terday. The prosecution finished its
case in chief and many witnesses We're
examined by the defense. A large crowd
thronged the court room. Douglass sat
nearly ali day looking modify down
ward and paid no attention to the case
except when reused by his father to an
swer some question for the aid of his
attorneys who are putting UP deS-
perate fight.
Mrs. Jensine Olsen testified that Mrs.
Douglass was at her house when Doug
lass came for her the day of the kill
ing. Mrs. Douglass was much alarmed
when she saw her husband, but she
went out and got in the buggy with
him This testimony was confirmed
by Zina Olsen, daughter Of the previous
witness.
Mrs. Sophia Larsen. mother Of the
deceased. was at a neighbours house
when Douglass drove up. She was
summoned home by her little girl.
Witness went home and while in the
house heard the gun fired. She came
out, saw her daughter dead and asked
Douglass why ne did it. Douglass or
dered her back into the house. Soon
after neighbors carried the dead body
into the house.
Joseph Larsen was recalled and tes-
titled that he heard the shot, went out
and saw his sister fall out of the
buggy. Witness asked why he had
done that and Douglass ordered him
to keep back. Witness asked rs she
dead?" and Douglass said, IF she is
not I'll finish her"
Lars Larsen, father Of Mrs. Douglass,
corroborated this testimony He asked
he Hod It'll cd h. 0af1 O
of his children, and the answer was
Never mind the children
LARS K. PETERSON.
Lars X Peterson saw the shooting.
He was in a, sleigh driving past; saw
Douglass and the woman III the buggy:
saw Douglass get out and point the gun
at the woman, saw the woman waving
her a: ms, saw the smoke. heard the re-
port and saw the woman fall to the
ground; saw her dead and buried.
Douglass would not let the crowd ap-
preach the dead body for some time.
The wound OF Mrs. Douglass was in
the neck, her life blood stained the
snow.
Michael Shumers saw the affair and
attempted TO go TO the body, but Doug
gun.
Charles Larson. John Mortensen.
George Chandler. George Langlois and
David Tracy gave corrobor alive testi-
mony. They were eye witnesses to
many damaging acts on defendants
part.
There were several tc whom Douglass
had confessed his guilt: Harvey
Brown, Mr.. Garner, David Tracy, jr.,
Mrs. John Grow, Perry Bingham and
Constable Grow.
That he was perfectly rationa; and
sober all these testified. The officer
who arrested him said he never saw "a
cooler man."
Deputy r. T. Harris. to whom Doug
lass was turned over at the Jail, testi-
hod that Douglass remarked at the
time. Il killed her, but it need not cost
the state a cent, I'll plead guilty"
One or two witnesses We're recalled
in the afternoon and the prosecution
rested.
THE DEFENSE.
John E. Bagley, for the defense. made
the opening statement to the jury. He
announced that the general line Of de-
Tense would be responsibility, due to
insanity. which in turn is due to pre-
natal influences, alcoholism cigarette
smoking and epilepsy; that he commit
ted the act would not be denied. The
act itself was the work of but a short
time. The testimony of the defense |
would extend all over the life of the de- |
PENDANT aye and before his life, They |
woI Id show that conditions surround /
ing his mother while he was yet I'M
born, and accidents which happened to /
her at this period, were responsible for |
mis- condition. His mother had been |
overworked and seriously i'll just prior |
TO his birth, and had, furthermore, |
been frightened by a street fight till she i
was carried home in faint. All these |
had caused lack or men !
tai power.
THE TESTIMONY.
The first witness called syas W. ]. !
Scott, who testified that he had worked !
with Douglass, and was Intimately ac- |
quainted with him. He considered the |
man insane He told actions which led /
him to believe Douglass insane Cross |
examined Scott said he had married |
Douglass sister, that the defendant |
was a hard drinker. Witness had never
TO the authorities about
Douglass insanity. Had suggested !
that Douglass be treated for whisky |
cure.
Mr.. Kennedy. a machinist, had seen
Douglass working an engine recklessly
and thought him insane.
Mr. Blackwell said Douglass drank
a great deal and smoked cigarettes al
most constantly. Witness had noticed
strange actions.
T 2. woodbury. knew Douglass, who
had been a hard. continuous drinker.
Witness considered him of unsound
mind.
Thomas DoXey knew the defendant
TO be a hard drinker and an excessive
smoker Of cigarettes; and believed him
to be of unsound mind.
George P NfcCabe also believed
Douglass TO be insane; was accustomed
to walk aimlessly about muttering to
himself.
Ben Douglass a cousin of defendant,
knew Douglass to have a weak mind.
Douglass was drunk the day before the
shooting.
W. B. Blosser testified that Douglass
was drunk the day before the shooting. !
He seemed passionate and was mutter-
ng about the divorce proceedings; al
ways acted so when drunk
James T. Browning had known Doug
ass all his life; that he was a wild
-alker, heavy drinker and cigarette
lend. He thought him insane.
William Studer had known Douglass
rom childhood: said he had been in
state of intoxication for about ten
Years. Thought he was mentally ir-
responsible for about is years
Court adjourned at Sis. Today it is
some expert testimony will be