The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-01-21
M0RTENSEN
IN COURT TODAY
Preliminary Hearing viii Take
Place Before Nielsen.
PRISONER is COLLECTED
SAYS HE WILL MAKE FORMAL
STATEMENT ON CASE.

refer Mortensen will appear before
Justice Nielsen in Judge Morse's court
room at 10 O'Clock today TO be sub
Jected to a preliminary examination on
The charge Of numbering James R. Hay
on the night of Dec. Is.
Mortensen is ready for the ordeal.
His attorney, Barnard J. Stewart. has
puoyed him up with hope his brother,
Henry Mortensen, has come in from
kimberley 10 be near him and contrib
ute his moral support, and his sister
in-law has lent him every encourage
ment TO look forward to the proceed
lngs OF today as probable means of
delVerance from a prisoners cell
Stretched out at full length in his
barred and grated compartment last
night, the accused man calmly and
coolly explained his position
VIII Make Formal Statement.
I cannot predict what the outcome
VIII be" he said nonchalantly. If
l could, it would be indicate for me
to do so. OF course, I am glad mat
tiers have come to an issue. Some day
hope to be able to give the press a
statement that 1 cannot consistently
give out at this time. Before I do so.
want TO have an opportunity to read
all that has been printed on my case
and l suppose that viii be no small
task Right now my only consideration
Is Number One, and in no way can 1
serve my own interests better than by
maintaining silence. When the right
time comes 1 viii give the press and
the public what both are entitled to
a complete explanation"
County Attorneys Satisfied.
County Attorney Farley P. Christen-
sen will have charge of the prosecu-
ton, aided by Assistant County Attor-
ney F. c. Loofbourow. The latter has
been working for weeks putting the
evidence into shape for presentation.
so as to make as complete a chain as
possible against Mortensen- It is a
known fact that Mr. Christensen and
himself are completely satisfied with
the case they have to present, with
the exception of evidence enanating
from relatives of the accused. who nat
urally shrink from taking the stand
against kinsman where his life is at
stake. As has been previously pub
lished in The Herald. today's legal bat
tie is expected TO center about the eff
forts of Attorney Stewart to force the
state TO present all its facts and all its
witnesses.
Officials Take Secret Trip.
In this connection considerable curl
osity is felt among those who know of
a mysterious trip INDUCED in by Sher-
if Naylor and County Attorney Chris
Jensen Sunday. They went but Just
for a little ride" and materialized in
Provo, the home of Mrs. Mortensen's
brothers. with whom she has taken up
he. no. Il
ries against MOrtensen came from Pro-
vo, ranging from his actions the night
of the murder TO the reported effort
on his part TO induce a friend TO COM
NIT perjury for him. The Salt Lake
officers attracted as little attention as
possible in Provo. They next appeared
at Spanish Fork There was a rumor
current among the knowing ones last
night that arrangements had been
made to have the Provo witnesses with
in calling distance today, should it be
found imperatively necessary TO place
them on the witness stand.
Mrs. Mortensen Kept Quiet.
Nothing has been heard from Mrs.
MoTtensen of late, and there has been
no communication between her hus-
band and herself since his Incarceration
in the county Jail. Last night Mort
ensen declined TO discuss the position
taken by his wife
On some sides it is expected that the
state viii spar for further delay. if an
opening presents itself. The pOssibih-
ties do not favor such a course, how
ever. and those who have been follow
ing the case closely are preparing to
flock to court today in anticipation of
hearing tho -pv-GOrOa story IF tho mr.