The San Francisco call., 1904-04-07
ATTORNEYS FOR MRS. CORDELIA BOTKIN
ADDRESS THE JURORS IN HER BEHALF
MCGOWAN Delivers
Forceful Talk on
Evidence.
Knight Makes the
Effort of His
Life.

George A Knigh: made his argument
for Mrs Cordelsa Botldn yesterday,
following Attorney McGowSn. who
made the opening address for the de-
fense- For three hours be spoke without
fatigue. arguing that his client did not
send poisoned candy 10 Mrs. John
p. Dunning IN Dover IA 1SsS-
The attorney used such arts as be
possesses TO move the jury and
auditors 90 sympathy. When he re-
ferred 10 the parents Of the prisoner
az the bar and pictured her child
hood. she Erung her hands. as IL deeply
moved AT one time she put her fin
gers 10 her ears TO avoid hearing those
portions % her attorneys speech
that brought up bitter memories
II was not until the close Of the
days proceedings that the sensation
% the trial developed. During his ar
gument knight took occasion TO ar
raign the women in court for their
morbid curiosity and lack OF feeling
for a defenseless woman His de-
gtunoistion was bitter. and IL was not
without sslutory effect. For the first
time in the case there was a demon
stratfon for the accused, and a num-
Der OF women gathered around the
prisoner. Some kissed her cheek, 9TH
ers strol1ed her hand or offered words
Of encouragement.
District Attorney Byington will close
for the people this morning, and after
the courts instructions the case will
Court convened promptly at 10
O'Clock. and the courtroom was rilled
10 the doors.
REBUKES FERRAL.
Frank MCGOWAN opened for the de-
fense. and made an impassioned plea
for an acquittal. After declaring that
The evidence did not bear out the the
aries of the prosecution. he rebuked
Prosecutor Ferral for some statements
he madc in his argument on Tuesday.
MCGOWAN said: Gentlemen, yester-
DAY Judge Ferral. an honored member
~ an hOnOred profession. indulged in
yituperation and vilihoation which
The exiEencies OF the case did not de-
mand and ] an at a loss TO know
What he expected 10 gain by such
abuse. Wo heard a great deal last
evening OF rhe violation of the seventh
,ommandrnent. and Judge Ferral de-
.aued that there is no punishment for
adulfery in the State Of California.
0o not want TO see him forget his law
in. his zeal. and I inform him that
there is
Judge Ferrsl was or his feet in an
instant and explained the law to Nc
Gowan. who still insisted upon his
view as correct
MCGOWAN then arraigned counsel
for the people for his statement that
TalifOrnians are prone TO violate the
seventh commandments. and said: cal
fornians are as loyal to their marital
Obligations as any people on earth"
NO MOTIVE PRESENT.
He then endeavored TO impress upon
the jury that the burden Of proof rests
upon the prosecution, and thai the de-
Tense did not need 10 explain away
even a suspicious circumstance. In
discussing circumstantial evidence, he
declared that no chain could be
stronger than the weakest link. He
said
AIucn spirit has been shown in this case
hUt We hope we nave arrived ar stage where
We car forget everything except the solemn
duty have 10 perform. and that in future
you never VIII have cause 10 regret having
taken human life.
Two lives were wiped out. and II IL was bv
crime it terrible: IL by accident a
cslsmity. Judge Ferral has said that We ad-
fa1ced the theory that it may have been
promsiue poisoning, but there is no evidence
chow that.
let any in this city be accused OF
.rirne and the first question YOU ask is What
r-ss the motive II motive is present
Nou believe him guilty. but where there is no
motive you say 70 yourself that n Is u,rea-
sonsbie 10 suppose guilt.
what motive could Mrs Botlin have had in
coinnittinx the crimc2 Judge Ferral has sa id
fref she wanted John =. Dunning. She was
4 married woman and he was a married man
and they had separated How could she ex-