The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-09-25
PLEADED NOT GUILTY
Did kOfnstett aud a Mob Want.
ed to Lynch Him

wichita. Kama. sept 2a-John Korn-
'todt tho youthful murderer ana rapsat
% once more confined IN the county ian
I" tnlS ei'y. He was brought here again
70 escape violence az the hands OF the
pe"p'e OF HArper county. He was brought
'aeA quieuy 20 that i would not be
NnoWn ne was here g ther Dy the people
Harper county or this city. He win
oe held here Tor safe kveping until NEXT
April when his tr.sl Wi come up again
before The district coun, - Harper Gown.
ty
When Kornstett was nrst placed ON
trial IN Harper county. he entered q plsa
|gulty judge Giiett was loath to accept
the plea and called him back laier IN the
day and no reiterated It. II was finally
accepted and he was sent to the psni-
Itenuary for lie
Attorneys Wucox and Grove Of An
thony who were appointed 10 defend Korn.
stett about week ago decided to ask
Judge Gn'ett 20 allow hem to withdraw
the plea OF guilty which Kornstett en-
tered two weeks prev Gus. They alleged
that korns eta was degenerate and
should not be- sent to the peniteniary but
10 au asylum.
The point was argued with consluerabis
vehemence on both sides several days
ago. The states attorney fought the mo-
uon FOR a new trial and at all times dur
ng the argument the court room waa
crowded with the people OF the vicinity
who were Intensely Interested IA the case
and wished to see Korustett sent 10 tzA
nenitnt airy for life Kornstett weS called
u The stand and testified In a calm, IN
moved voice that ne had been intmidated
INTO entering plea OF gu lty lie claimed
That the sheriff had told him that unless
he pleaded guilty to tho charge the peo-
pie would surely ynch him. He said that
he was frightened and had done as he
was told.
This aroused murmurs from the people.
Judge Glett found that he would prob
ably have to grant the request OF the
attorneys for the defense when they made
such serious charge. The Jury. howev-
err had been discharged and Il was nee
essary to continue he case until the April
term OF court When the people In the
court room found this out they became
exc ted and it lookd for few minutes as
though lynching party might be formed
and Kornatett hurried away to meet his
fate. The boy was hustled out OF the
room by the sheriff and was taken t0 the
JAN and locked up, The people OF the city
We're excited and some rash talk was IN
dulsed u. re was decided best to remove
Komstett from the ial before any troub-
Ile occurred and he was uietiy slipped out
of fan and brought here. The people OF
d1rper county are not disposed to allow
Kornoteet to escape justice and If he ia
not convicted next tine lt Is feared they
will take the law IN their own hands and
NEE out swift justice by means OF q rope
and a telegraph pole.
! At the time Kornstett was sentenced
/ 20 the penitontnry for life by Judge Oil
/ let there was considerable objection rais-
ed by some OF the attorneys. They then
! thought that the laws OF the state Sere
defective and should be amended. In
/ this state and Missouri child murderer
s treated exactly Ike a grown person. In
other states they are confined to refor-
matoriea and are not sent to the peni-
tent.ary.
Herbert stimpson the cr'minaiogiat OF
this city. snys that the criminal code OF
this state needs revising badly. He thinks
Ithat 10 Is antiquated and unjust In many
particulars He wants a criminal insane
asylum built for the seoluson OF degen-
crates like Kornstett. He conferred with
Kornstet's attorneys a little over a
week aso and gave them Information re-
gardlng the boys condition and Il was
upon th.s recommendation that they de-
m1uded that the plea OF guilty be allow
od 90 De W thdrawn.