The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1899-12-20
ECKERT NOT INSANE.
Jury Decides that He was in His
Right Mind at Time
Of Murder

Waukesha, Wis, Dec. 1871 Special /
The insanity issue of the Eckert murder
trial was ended last night with the YER
dict of the jury, which was that EckesA
was sane at the time the crime was com
mitued and is sane at this time. 1t was
7:30 o'clock, three hours and half after
they had retired, that the officer in charge
of the jury announced that an agreement
had been reached. The attorneys were
notified and came into court. There was
q small AUDIENCE. Of men and boys who
had hung about the building in hope that
something would develop, though it had
been the general opinion that no verdict
would be rendered before this morning.
Eckert was brought in and took his usual
seat beside his attorney. The jury filed
in and took their places. There was dead
silence when the foreman handed the YER
the answers. Eckert sat immovable and
not the slightest demonstration escaped
him. The judge had warned the specta-
tors that no signs of approval or disap-
prevail of the verdict would be allowed
and not until court adjourned was word
spoken.
Eckert held a short consultation with
his attorney and then was taken back to
his CELL this time accompanied by two
officers instead of the one who has had
charge Of him during the trial.
Reviewed the Testimony.
Yesterday afternoon Mr.. Parkinson
completed the argument or the state.
He made an able review Of the testimony
introduced by both sides, and after talk
ing two hours left the spectators much
exercised in their minds as to which side
of the case had been most ably presented
to the jury by the attorneys.
Judge Dick followed with a long
charge to the jury. He told them they
were not to determine the question of the
guilt or innocence of the accused man,
or not he was sane beyond reasonable
doubt or not. The term insani-
ty, as used in the case, was de-
fined to mean such a condition Of
the mind as to render a person incapa
BILE of distinguishing between right and
wrong Or unconscious of the act at the
time of it's commission or conscious Of
the act and it's consequences, but with
a will so weakened as to be unable to
resist the impulse to commit the act. An
insane delusion must be mental and not
moral. 1t must Lot arise from de rada-
ton. Mere moral or emotional IL anity
arising from excitement or anger did not
exempt person from the consequences
of a rash act.
LIE ForulCC IuuSI Do given Ill Tic LSuI
of the evidence and if there was rea-
sonable doubt of the sanity Of Eckert at
the time of the tragedy he was entitled
to it. If the jury should find that Eek
ert was able to distinguish between right
and wrong at the time the act was COM
mitted then he was sane. The judge
submitted four questions to the jury
with instructions as to the form of an
swer to be given to them. They were:
First-WaS the defendant, George Eckert:
at the time of the commission of the alleged
Offense, the 18th day of August last, in
sane. or is there reasonable doubt as TO
his sanity at that time?
SecOnd-If he was so insane or there Is a
reasonable doubt of his sanity at that time.
do you find him not guilty Of said alleged
offenSe?
Third-Has he recovered from said insan-
fty?
Fourth-Is he now of sound mind?
Trial for Murder.
The trial for murder was taken up this
morning Mr.. Armin will endeavor to
secure verdict of murder in some less
degree than first. The testimony re-
ceved this morning was repetition Of
that received during the week, except
that it was more minute in details. There
was quite change in Eckert's demeanor
this morning. Previously he had dis
played little or no interest in the proceed
ings, but this morning he spoke to his ut
tOrney, apparently coaching him. When
Undersheriff Don Mckay left the stand
and took seat near Eckert the prisoner
turned to him and disputed the truth Of
some Of the statements made by Mr.. Nc
Kay on the stand. The state had only
part of their witnesses on the stand this