Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-01-25
The Jury Said She Did Not
Murder Barrett.
DELIBERATED THREE HOURS
She Told the Story of the Shooting
--Said 1t Was Acct
dental,

The trial OF Nettle wilson Iof the hlllliS
of Jacob Barrett in this city December ID,
of last year was resumed in d
Clancy's court this morning. The state
practically closed its side last evening",
but Mr.. Wines, the defendants attorney,
desired to ask a few more questions and
requested that Arthur Donnelly be re-
called.
Before Donenlly took the stand Mr..
Wines made a short statement to the
jury. He said he would claim n in fact
show that the firing of the shot that kill
ed Barrett was solely and purely acciden-
tai; thai there was no intent on the part
of the defendant to kill or harm Barrett;
that she picked up the weapon from the
bureau and Barrett, supposing she m
tended to kill herself, attempted to stay
her hand and in so doing the gun was
discharged with fatal effect.
Donnelly then resumed his testimony.
"Were you acquainted with Captain
Dawson of the police department at the
time of the shooting?' asked Attorney
Wines.
mo: I was not acquainted with him,
but l remember ne was there
state whether you absented yourself
from the room"
Il did not. He would not let me go OUT
state whether or not you heard any
conversation between Dawson and the
defendants"
well, Dawson came into the house and
asked who did it and she answered that
she had, but did not mean to do it."
Did the defendant tell Dawson that
Barrett had been the upa cemaker2'
No, sir; she did not
cor that Barrett had jumped between
the woman and yourself?'
mo, SIR
What had been the state of the de-
PENDANTS health prior to the ~shooting?"
1T had been bad. She had doctors at
tending her"
Did she ever appear respondent or say
anything about committing suicide?"
Yes, sir. She was respondent and
threatened to kill herself because of poor
health, but we talked her out of putting
the threat into execution"
The county attorney then asked Dom
nelly if he and the defendant were not on
friendly terms.
Il am friendly towards her in this way
said the witness. Il know she is inno-
cent of the crime of murder and l want to
help her OUT
CeNtIdl Olit qutSlloIS were asked Dy
both sides and then the court Said:
when are you going to get through with
this witness. You are whipsawing back
and forth"
The defendant then testified in her own
behalf. She denied having told Capt.
Dawson on the night Of the killing that
she had picked up the gun and started for
Donnelly and that Barrett had jumped In
to act as peacemaker.
For what did you go to Don
nelly's house?' was asked.
II heard Donnelly was sick and thought
l could do something for him"
state whether there was anythin,
during your acquaintance with Barrett to
give rise to enmity between Barrett and
yourself?"
There was not
Were o sober when the shooting took
place
Yes, sir"
and capable of realizing everything
that was transpiring in the room?"
yes, sir, i was"
Were you angry at Donnelly ?"
mo. sir"
when you first went into the room did
you speak to any one?"
Yes; l said to Barrett: Hello jake
and he answered: Hello Nettie.' 1 spoke
to Donnelly after he awakened"
I u cNti Idu any experience IN
handling a gum"
mo, sir"
Now you may tell the jury what YOU
did in the way of picking up the gun
well, the doctor told me l could not
stay here, as the altitude was too high.
That evening l went to Donnelly's house
as / stated before. There was a bureau
in the room and on it was the gun.
picked it up and jake. who was standing
II front Of ma nrohI@I .~.-
raised them. I was not looking toward
Mr.. Donnelly when I picked the weapon
While Barrett was holding my hands
the gun was discharged and the bullet
struck Barrel. do not know why
picked the gun up as I had no occasion
to use it. When the weapon was fired I
stood as if paralyzed for several seconds.
When | recovered my composure I spoke
to Barrett, telling him I did not mean to
hurt him.
At this point in the proceedings the de-
PENDANT burst into tears and it was with
difficulty that she further
questions p~ropounded by her attorney.
Il did not mean to hurt any ONE she !
gasped. Il did not knowingly and will
discharge the gun"
On cross-eXamination she was asked if
after the shooting she had told Cant.
Dawson that she had killed Barrett and
u'" Hot NioN hoN II occurred, that she
had entered the house and made a run for
the gun, and jake had acted a peace
49,, --A-
She answered no.
In answer to further questions touching |
her place of birth, age and residence in
the west, she said she had been born in
Boston, was was about "a years old and
had lived IN the west nearly all her life.
She said she did not know where her par
ents resided.
A few more questions closed the defense
a nd tho monuments u-orA oonoaI fbn |