New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-08

experts Mr.. Weeks said their science not
an exact one; II was simply a science of proba-
bilities that because such and such things were
found Il was probable that other things similar
to them were written by the same hand. Hand
writing experts could not be expected to ap-
proach their subject without bias. That had
heen accented by the courts. and one of the
leading iurists of the country, Judge Peckham.
had stated that where handwriting testimony
was desired of any particular kind Ii could be
procured by paying the market price THEREFOR.
Such evidence Mr.. Weeks commended even at
its best was precarious and extremely danger
GUS The whole theory was a fallacy
Then counsel proceeded to review In detail
the evidence given by the experts, and by means
of the exhibits demonstrated that there were
vastly more characteristics OF the defend
ants handwriting to be found in the disputed
letters than characteristics. He challenged the
i,.rv also to find any single similarity between
a word written by the defendant and WORD
on the poison package.
There is absolutely nothing, MT. weeks CON
tended, ito connect the defendant with tne poi-
son package except this expert evidence Anu
YOU have read how great Republic was torn
asunder and how spent five years on
Devils Island because of mistake made by
handwriting experts
"I have already called your attention once be-
on record and should not be referred to, Re-
corder Golf broke in.
But it is a matter of notoriety," Mr.. weeks
replied.
You don't know what you are talking about
the Recorder retorted hotly ut is utterly for
eign to what this jury is considering.
Upon the question of motive Mr.. Weeks dwelt
for considerable time, urging that the prose-
cution had failed entirely to show any MOTIVE
although motive in a case of circumstantlai
evidence was a controlling factor. Men did not
commit crime without some great Impeding
force and the only motive the prosecution had
advanced was to show that Molineux was ols-
satisfied with the way Cornish conducted the
affairs of his department at the knickerbocker
Athletic Club and had subsequently resigned
That was in 1897, and the package was sent 10
Cornish year later. Was it reasonable 10 De-
lieve Mr.. Weeks asked, that the defendant aiter
a lapse of a year, during which time ne had not
seen Cornish, would attempt to take CORNISH
life? Mr. Weeks reminded the jury that when
the package was received by Cornish the detend-
ant was on his honeymoon, a time wheh
thoughts of murder would be furthest from
mans mind.
MR.. WEEKS'S CLOSING.
In his peroration Mr.. Weeks said:
zeal have in your opinion @ and Rot
- ~
the And II fs a %6ere the
this case sg DeaI In n let them turn in favor
the defendant, and not against him. 1t is dread,
terrible thing to destroy the temple of an immortal
soul This defendant stands before you entIie ,
dence proves his guilt You have sworn to decide
rRaS cs sess9 h You must be satisfied that
the defendant committed the crime; tna{ ne aH1 ne
gentlemen rests this df fBis bFaUSer
hat Sha
innocent? Life death? To die the most dis,
his parents? You are the ones to decide. and I
leave the case in your ASK y and 0ns
fully before you should pronounce verdict that is
to ' all yd 5a c ass
of his young wife and his parents. There is no
dict. Think carefully before you render such yer
dict upon such evidence based upon such motive
back to this decision If you err on the side e OF
you may do can never be repaired and unless you
viction in your heart think well and long before
cannot feel that there is any necessity of speak
ing to you in this manner There is no possibility
in your sterling judgment to winnow the chaff from
the wheat which has only been introduced to befog
expect-we know-that but one verdict can come
of your verdict because you are men of conscience
We do not appeal to you through any maudlin
oWmen and ask You simply to do n unto f n others
as you would they would do unto you"
1t was 4:30 o'clock when Mr.. Weeks finished,
and in the half hour that was left before adj
journment Mr.. Osborne began his summing
up for the prosecution. He confined himself in
the short time left him to praising the patience,
intelligence and conscentiousness of the jury.
An adjournment was then taken until 1870
o'clock this morning.
When the trial was adjourned the jurors, in
charge Of six court attendants were taken to
the Astor House, where they will be quartered
until the end of the trial. Upon arriving at the
hotel they went at once to the rooms assigned
to them, and dined together in a private dining
room at o'clock No wines or liquors were
served to them but most of the jurors smoked
cigars with their coffee