Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-09-25
IN FIRST DEGREE.
CzoIgosz Found Guilty Of
Murder Of Pres. Mckinley.
Will Be Sentenced by Justice White
at 2 P. N. Thursday.
Prisoners Counscl's Position Fully Explained
by Ex-Iudge Lewis.


CZoIgosz, alias Fred Nicman, was. to-
DAY, found guilty Of murder in the first
degree by q jury in Part III of the su-
preme court, in having on the 9Th day
of September. shot President VIM. Nc
kiniey, the injuries inflicted by such
gunshot wounds afterwards resulting
in the death of the President
Inc wheels of justice moved swiftly.
Tho trial of the assassin consumed s
hours and Is minutes and covered a
period Of only two days. Practically
all of this time was occupied by the
prosecution in presenting a case 50
clear. 80 conclusive. that even had the
prisoner ente!cd the plea Of insanity
it is doubtful If the jury would have
returned Il verdict different from the
one rendered, today
The announcement made, this after
noon by the attorneys Tor CZolgosZ
that the eminent alienists summoned
by the Erie County Bar Association
and by the district attorney had de
clarc,i Linn to be perfectly sane, de
stroyei the only form of a defence that
cx-Judges Lewis and Titus could have
put to gether.
Before Adjournment Justice White
announced thar he would pronounce
sentence upon the defendant. at 2
O'Clock Thursday afternoon. The pris
oner was at once taken through the
tunnel under Delaware avenue. back
to the jail. TO all appearances he was
in no way affected by the result Of the
:rial.
The crowd gathered at city hall to
II ~. ,i,-tl
ment. PEOPLE We're lined up on both
sides of the big rutunda on the second
iloor when court convened, and firing
ed the stairs leading from the floor
above. There was no demonstration,
except that Of curiosity. \ large num-
her of women saw today's proceedings.
At 244 this afternoon. District At
torney Penney abruptly announced
that the case of the prosecution was
ended. E.X-Ju Judge Lewis arose slowly
and addressing the court said the sud
den close of the case against CzClgos2
was a surprise to him and his col
league They had no witness to call for
the defence. He asked the court that
he be allowed to address the jury at
one. The court consented and the Ven
will long be remembered by those who
heard it. h.x-Judge Lewis said:
Gentlemen OF the jury-A calamity
has fallen upon this nation through
the act of this man. but the question
is whether his act was the act OF al
insane man. If an insane man. il is not
murder and he should be acquitted Of
that charge lie would then Of course
be transferred to an asylum.
Much discussion has occurred in
our midst ana has been called to my
attention as to the propriety Of any
defense being internoscd in this case.
Many letters have been received by me
sirCn ] was assigned with my associ tie
to defend this man. questioning the
propriety Of defense beng attempted.
You gentlemen. know. perhaps, how
judge Titus and myself came into this
case. The position was not sought by
Us. but We appear here in performance
of a duty which we thought devolved
upon US Notwithstanding it was an
exceedingly disagreeable one.
His honor. the judge, who presidss
at this trial. as a justice of the supreme
court. is here because the law makes
it his duty to sit and preside at this
trial.
our very distinguished and able dis
trict attorney has presented this ac-
ton because the law makes it his duty
ia do so. You. gentlemen are sitting
there because you are commended %
aupear here and under our system OF
JURISPRUDENCE it was your duty to slt
here. hear the testimony in this case
and perform the duty of determining
Y neither this man is to be executed or
. be set free.
The defendants counsel appear here
because under our system OF 3uii-p. u
dence. no man can be placed on trial
for the high crime OF murder. the pm
oItv Of which, under the law. is daath.
without he has the assistance Of coun-
epJ Tie court has the power to GeSig-
nate counsel to appear in the case ur-
less they can make some reasonable
excuse and succeed in being relieved
Of the duty.
"Gentlemen. when they become mem
hers of the legal profession, they be
c.t1la members of the court. They are
if assigned. to dcferd n
criminal or rather the orc who il
charged with a crime. They are Gem
RELIED to respond and accept the duty
unIess they can present some reason
able excuse and if they refuse to per-
form that duty they are guilty Of q
miedemeanor and are liable to punish
nlent by the court.
80 you see. gentlemen. If AIRY sim
pie minded, thoughtless person should