The Florida star., 1901-05-24
Abuse of Brsvard County Jury.
Kissimmee valley Gazette:

st. Clair Abrams, attorney for the Stock
mems association of 0sceola county, pub
lished below, Brevard county is several
years behind 0sceola county in the pro-
lection of its stock industry. The report
discloses a deplorable state of affairs.
Cow stealing seems to be condoned by the
juries Of our sister county. The people Of
Brevard seem TO be indifferent to a class
of crime that has aroused the conscience
of most of the other counties OF South
Florida. Osceola and Polk have organ
lied against COW stealing, so have Volusia
and Orange, Clay, Sumter, Pasco and
Lake. In all these counties the courts
are sustained in the suppression OF COW
stealing by a strong and wholesome local
sentiment. What is the matter with
Brevard? Are the stockmen of Brevard
incapable and powerless TO protect them
selves? Is the stock industry of Brevard
so Insignificant as to be unworthy of
justice at the hands of Titusvile juries?
Are the people Of Brevard so backward
and ignorant and prejudiced that they
will tolerate abuse of an organization like
the stOckmen's association, when the
the whole tendency of modern industry
is towards the organization of mutual
interests? StocR mems associations are
recognized as powers for good wherever
operated. Is Brevard to be allowed
without protest to abuse a system that is
throughout the United States?
Brevard county has supplied this circuit
with strong, upright and learned Judge
IL had now better improve its juries, for
the strongest judge is helpless without
strong jury and strong public sentiment.
The report is as follows:
KIssIMMEE, FLA, May II, 1901.
]. F. OBerry, Esq, President StOckmen's AS
sOciation. Kissimmee, Fla:
regret to report to the association that
the trial of the case of the State Of Florida
VS. Roberts ut the last term of court in
Brevard county, resulted in a complete |
of justice. The evidence |
against the defendant was complete and |
conclusive. do not hesitate to say that |
during my long number of years of Grim |
nal practice in South Florida. | have |
never known a cattle case In which there |
VAS less ground for doubt than i'm this. |
rhe rulings and charges of Judge Jones
we're fair and impartial, and so far as the |
'onrt was concerned the scales of Justice
we're held evenly between the state and |
he defendant. Nevertheless the iurv.
lfter an absence of but few minutes.
verdict of not guilty, although |
lie defense consisted of merely simple
lenial by the accused, and vast amount
If abuse of the stOckmen's association,
md the owner of the cattle involved.
l have been informed that since the
verdict in the Roberts
,ase, more cattle have been stolen in the
Fort Drum district, and the owners of
hls property have declared that they will |
rot even take the trouble of investigation.
IS they cannot get protection from Bre-
'ard county jury.
l trust that you will bring this matter
before the association, and | assure you
II my hearty cooperation in any measure
hat may be adopted in protecting your
'aitle in Brevard. Very truly yours.
ALEX. ST. CLAIR ABRAMS,
Atty Stockmen's Association.
The abuse of Brevard county
urieS by Major Alex. st. Clair
Abrams is not very apt to endear
him to the people of Brevard.
When IA lawyer loses IA case, one
way to soothe his client, especially
IN influential one that pays big
fees, like the StOckmen's Associa-
ion of Osceola, is to abuse the iurv.
1t is a good thing that the liberty
IF our people is still preserved by
rial by fair and impartial iuries.
The fact is, this was a very
limsy case, and no one, except
counsel hired to prosecute, expect
ID any other verdict than that of
guilty.
The case depended entirely on
me witness, Ivey Byrd, who had |
'een convicted and pardOned for
.ow stealing, and who is now under
wO indictments for cow stealing.
md who admitted on crOss-eXami-
latiOn To questions asked him by
'udge Gaulden, who defended
Roberts, that he did not think he