The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-10-04
PETER MORTENSEN MAKES
VAIN PLEA FOR HIS LIFE
accuses Court, Jurors District Attorney, News
papers and the Public Of Prejudice.
Attacks James Shaps Revelation Is Sentenced by
Judge to Be Shot Nov. 20.
. ETER MoRTENsEN made a D,
speech in his own behalf f0r a

II ETER MOBTE%SEN made a long
speech in his own behalf for a
new trial yesterday afternoon in
Judge Charles w. Morse's division Of
the district court. Later he was SEN
fenced TO De shot on Friday. Nov. 20.
between the hours of 10 a. M. and D..
IN. for the murder of James r. Hay on
the niEht of Dec. 16, 1901
His appeal for another opportunity 20
prove his innocence was made at the
conclusion of four-hOurs' argument
10y his attorney. j.. J. stewart The
latter asked FOR a new trial for his eli
Cnt ON the ground Of newly discovered
evidence relative TO the alleged miseon-
duct of the jury while visiting the scene
cf The murder and the home of the de
PENDANT Mortensen asked for new
trial because. as he said, almost at the
beginning of his remarks.
''I am innocent of this crime
A little further on he said, i'm a most
dramatic manner:
''I swear before the high heavens that
these shoes never stood in those tracks,
J because ! was never there
lie was then referring TO the fact that
the state was never able TO place any
one ON the witness stand who could
prove that the overshOes he wore when
arrested. III the footprints i'm the snow
leading an 90 and surrounding the
grave of Hay.
Long TRADE of Abuse.
The speech OF Mortensen. which last
ed about AN hour ami half. was one uf
Tho most remarkable ever heard in any
court of justice i'm Utah IL was plead
ing at times. when 10 seemed that his
finer sense would break through the
stoEd crust OF seeming Indifference and
cause tears to course their way down
his checks. on those several occasions
Mortensen was begging Judge Morse
for new trial that ne might be given
another opportunity TO prove his inu0-
cencc. or else he was imploring the
judge 90 remember his wife and their
five little children.
Then Mortensen would grow fierce
in his attitude toward the district att
torney. and would Hay Mr. EichnOr's
course of procedure i'm the trial Sud
denly, without any apparent reason
for it, he would control himself for
few minutes During these spells ne
would argue his ease iu n manner tina
surprised his most intimate friends.
Ihey never thought he had the orator.
ical ability that be would then display.
But those spells would not last long.
Between them THE man was either
scoring the district attorney. neaping
abuse upon the newspapers of Salt
Lake City, or saying things about the
court which Under mo- other circum-
stances would have been permitted.
But MCrtensen was making his last ap-
peal for life, and Judge Morse allowed
the man 90 wander along i'm his manner
uninterrupted MOrteusan's address TO
the court follows.
Begins by Thanking Lawyers.
If your honor please. ] desire to thank
10 D. rs
place for the manner iu which they have
conducted my defense. I also thank your
honor Tor any courtesy that has been eN-
tended Co me. also the other members i'm
Guiding The district attorney. I have re-
marked that had reasons TO offer why
I should be- granted new trial. and 70 is
upon this line that desire ~ make. the
remarks which d snail proceed 20 do.
\ The best reason iu the world why a
luan should De- Cranted new trial is be-
cause he iS Innocent. I have affirmed here
lu your hoDor's presence. and Co others.
many others that ] am innocent Of this
crime. That is the best reason I'm the
best that ever viii Dee urged why "a man
should DE granted new trial. If having
once been convicted.
Claims Other Reasons.
7 have other reasons. however. This
may not De- considered legal I'm the sense
that Z at The present time introduce H. I
that appear To- me to be legal reasons. In
the first place J firmly state TO my GER
tain lnOwlcig c that have not had "a fair
and impartial trial There has been no
time If your honor please. when I have
enjoyed the benefit of a reasonable doubt.