Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-02-21
Case Closed Up in Short
Order at Jefferson
After a Brief Trial Verdict Of
Murder in the Second Degree is
Returned Year Sentence.

commenced the trial of Fred w. Steph
enson for the murder of VIM. Cooper
on the evening OF Feb. 8, 1902.
A special venire of fifty, in addition
to the regular jury list had been drawn.
During Monday the lawyers were busy
with the examination of jurymen and
it was not until 1920 O'Clock Tuesday
forenoon that jury was struck. And
the examination of witnesses begun
Tuesday afternoon.
Stephenson was in court through
out the trial. With the exception of
the fact that he goes about on a pair
Of crutches, owing to an attack of
rheumatism, he appears the same as
ever. Cool, collected and with an
amused smile upon his face at times,
when witnesses are testifying he has
every appearance of caring but little
what fate has in store for him.
There are a vast number Of witness
es.and it is likely that the case will not
be concluded until the latter part of
the week. The case is creating con-
siderable excitement and the court
room is filed at all times with the
witnesses and spectators. District
Attorney Joseph Z. Davies assisted by
his partner Attorney Mulberger, is con-
Quoting the prosecution and is hand
ling the case in a very creditable man
er. The interests of the defendent are
being looked after by Attorney Robt.
Kirkland, assisted by FL. L. Ame5, and
they are fighting hard for their client,
but they have hard case to handle as
there are no extenuating circumstances
upon which they can form a line of de-
fense.
Wednesday was a busy day with the
court, as large number of witnesses
were examined. The prosecution in
troduced some of its best testimony
being introduced for the state looks
strong for conviction of murder in the
first degree. as much testimony was in
troduced showing that Stephenson had
threatened to kill Cooper prior to the
time that the murder was committed.
The attorney for the state rested his
case at about three o'clock in the after
noon and Attorney Kirkland immedi-
ately opened for the defense by an ad-
dress to the jury which lasted more
than an hour. In his statements
during his address he outlined his plan
of defense. claiming that they intended
to prove that there was no quarrel at
the rooms of Mrs. Stephenson on the
evening that the crime was committed,
and that the shooting of Cooper was an
accident which occurred during
scuff1e between Stephenson and Cooper
and some other man, unknown to the
defense, claiming that two men jumped
upon Stephenson as he came down the
stairs from the rooms of his wife, and
that Cooper was exceeding his author
ity as an officer by his actions when
| Stephenson had committed no crime.
Stephenson was placed upon the
stand in his own behalf and told a very
smooth, plausible story in endeavor-
ing to establish case of self-defense.
Upon the cross examination Stephen
son became considerably mixed in his
statements and contradicted himself
repeatedly. He was still on the wit
ness stand when court was adjourned
| for the day.
When court was called Thursday
morning Stephenson was on the stand
and was compelled to undergo another
spell of cross-questioning but was not
kept on the stand any length Of time.
There were only two or three minor
witnesses placed on the stand and the
defense then rested their case. Out
side of the testimony of the defendent
there was no testimony introduced by
the defense that could possibly have
any weight with the jury. On the re-
buttal the states attorney put on but
few witnesses ard the case was closed
so far as the Introducing of testimony
| was concerned, at about ten O'Clock in
the forenoon.
Attorney Davies Immediately com
menced his opening address to the Jury.
He made very thorough resume of
the evidence introduced and occupied
about three quarter of an hour. Mr..
Davies reserved his speech for the clos
ing argument. H. L. Ames followed
in an address to the jury for the de-
tense. He made strong plea for the
defendent, but the ground work for a
very extended eulogy of the defendent
was lacking and from this fact the at
torney had to confine himself to an ap-
peal to the jury for leniency for the
defendent. Mr. kirkland then com
menced bis address to the jury but had
spoken but a few minutes when a re-
cess was taken for dinner When
| court reassembled after dinner MIR.
kirkland resumed his talk with the re-
suit that on Friday morning the jury
returned verdict of 'murder in the
scond degree. :"