The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-01-22
PETER M0RTENSEN'S FIGHT
FOR HIS LIFE is NOW ON
Crowds Of People Struggle For Chance to Listen
to Testimony in Preliminary Hearing
l,g,sd Murderer James Hay is Deserted by His Family
Defense Promises Sensation.

by the defense it became obvious that
/ Mortensen's counsel viii contend that
some person or persons knew Of the
transaction for which Hay went to
( Mortenseu's house the last time he was
sen alive. The ground work was care
fully laid yesterday to contend that the
/ secret could have been learned at the
Office OF the Pacific Lumber company,
where Hay was employed as secretary,
or at MOrtensen.s home
The ties -imony developed the fact
that when Hays body was recovered.
the inside pocket of his Overcoat was
turned inside out The defense Will
maintain that two persons Rad a hand
/ in the murder and that they robbed
I Hay IF The $500 MOrtensen claims to
have paid him
Say Two Men Did It.
An effort viii be made TO show that
! one man alone could not have disposed
/ Of the body as was done, considering
the physical condition Of the surround
I ings. The OVercOat with the pocket
turned inside out viii be made a fea-
ture by the defense as tending to dem
onst~ate that Hay was robbed OF the
/ $500 Mortensen claims to have paid
him.
/ The state. too, holds that Hay was
( robbed but maintains that nothing
more tangible than a previously en-
/ dOrsed receipt and an uncanceleG note
/ were torn from that tell tale pocket
/ Already the defense is asking, why
didn't you suspect this man. or that
, one?' Indications point to an implied
accusation being lodged against some
/ we'll known people when the climax is
/ reached.
1t is freely predicted that the defense
will not be content 10 say that Nor
Jensen is innocent. but viii try to imply
that another committed the crime,
demonstrating his opportunities for SO
doing and possible motives
Scene in the Court Room.
The hearing yesterday, while long
and JiresOme. was not without dra-
matte features. Mortensen. cleanIy
shaver. his Ilustache neatly C rled
and with Immaculate linen, looked the
part of a thoughtful clergyman. This
effect was largely due to the minis
teiial white string tie affected by him
At his left sat his brother. Henry, who
with the latters wife are the only
relatives known to be standing by him
at this time. The prisoners father
I lOng expected was not on hand l.
I cheer him. but BIOrtensen was too busy
10 feel his desolation and cOmpletf
abandonment by friends and kinsmen
AT MOrtensen's right sat his counsel
C.. 3. and Bernard ]. Stewart. Imme-
diately behind them Sheriff NaylOr an6
members of his staff took up their pO-
sitiOn, while further to the right COUn-
ty Attorneys Christensen. LOofbOUrOv
and Reiter were clustered. Close by sal
James Sharp. the father of the woman
left a widow through the murder, anC
District Attorney Eichnor, who vii
prosecute the case when it comes t
trial
Ignored by Watkins.
Almost behind Mortensen Richard
Watkins tried TO appear comfortable
The accused man and his brother-in
law never spoke, nor did they exchang,
any signs of recognition. Watkins ros,
to leave the room during the proceed
ings, md stepping between the TIVE
brothers, exchanged a few words witt
Henry MoTrensen in an undertOne
Peter Mortensen took no notice Of hin
whatever. other than to shift his pc
sitiOn so that his back was turned NOR,
completely to Watkins.
The whispered conversation came t,
a close and Watkins turned to go
Peter Mortensen took no notice of hi
presence until he had almost reached
the door. Then he followed him will
tightly drawn. beady eyes that be
spoke resentment-if no stronger senti
ment
Henry Mortensen relieved the situa
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