The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-12-23
AWAITING THE VERDICT.
Nan Patterson Was Sure the Jury
Would Acquit Her.

Would Acquit Her.
New York, Dec 22-Even with the
verdict of the jury yet to come. Nan
Patterson felt today that the hardest
part of her ordeal was past. To the
Verdict she said she has all the time
looked forward only with pleasure. on
that point she has had no fear. 1t was
The long wait, with disheartening in
terFuptions and delays and nerve-rac<-
ing strain of the long trial that in
sPired her with dread. The mercileSs
aIraignment of Prosecutor Rand
which she knew would come before the
end. she had feared would be the hard
est 10 bear. Today, with all that be-
hind her she said that she felt per-
fectly at ease and awaited without
fear the word of the jury which she
knew would set her free.
Il have passed through so mach"
size said, that / feel that 1 can face
another day without hinching. The
Judge. I know, will not be cruel 10 me
and the tone of his voice will never
rise 10 the harsh pitch OF accusation.
His charge, as l understand it, win De
as much for me as against me. and
when he mas finished il will only re-
main for the twelve grim-faced men
n the jury box to determine whether
am guilty or innocent. / feel that
they will give me my freedom.
Faith in the Jury.
Even with the terrible words OF Mr.
Rand ringing in my ears l cannot be-
ieve that they could set their wills
against me and send me condemned to
death TO one of those little cells with
the iron door that l read of in Roland
Molineaux's book. Black as l have
been painted, I cannot think that they
will take my life for a crime 1 never
committed"
Before leaving her cell today Miss
Patterson packed up all her belongings
including the many little knick-knacks
which had accumulated during her
long occupancy. Grips and suit cases
locked and ready for removal stood by
the door as she started on what she be-
heved would be her last journey across
the bridge of signs.
L know, l know 1 viii be free be-
core night she said. II wanted every
single thing to be packed and ready.
cont want to have to come back here
FOR a thing"
Judge Davis Charge.
Soon after the prisoner was brought
into court Judge Davis began his
charge to the jury.
Justice Davis defined the various de-
grees of murder and told the jury that
although the defense claimed the
prisoner was either guilty of murder in
the first degree, or was innocent. IT
was for them TO determine. They
could find her guilty of murder in the
first degree, in the second degree, Of
manslaughter, or they could render a
verdict of not guilty.
Referring to the several letters which
have appeared in the case, knowledge
of which was denied by the defendant,
ne said that the testimony of the W.T.
nesses must be carefully weighed. If
Miss Patterson was believed the letters
must be excluded entirely from their
consideration: if not, they must be
taken at Their face value. I'm this
connection" he said, the jury must
give careful consideration to the ques-
ton whether ii is possible that the
witness for the prosecution may have
he'd for the purpose Of aiding the prose-
CutiOn of the defendant. On the other
hand again you must consider whether
lie defendant was Influenced by any
rIotive TO tell an untruth about the
letters"
Not to Be Considered.
In the absence of J. Morgan Smith
end his failure TO appear in the trial,
he said. the jury should take no cog
nizance. The defendant was to be
Judged by her OWN acts and not by the
acts Of others. The rule of law re-
Parding missing witnesses did not ap
riy in this case as il had not been
shown that it was within the power Of
the defendant 10 produce HIM as wit
ness.
Judge Davis said that + The defend
ant fred the shot without premedita-
ton she would be guilty of murder in
the second degree. He then explained
that she might be- found guilty i'm the
first or second degree OF manslaughter
Ii not of murder, but added if there
Was a reasonable doubt of her guilt in
any of the degrees of homicide the
jury must acquit her.
Facts Alone Count.
Justice Davis informed the Jury that
t. was not his duty to interpret the
evidence which had been pre- scented be
fore them. He would instruct them
only as to the rule Of the law TO the
end that they might arrive at care
lul and just conclusion. Any opinion
they might have formed either before
=
lowed to weigh unless it was based en-
tirely upon the evidence. Prejudice
either for or against the prisoner
should be entirely dismissed. Referring
t. the alleged failure of the prosecu-
ton to show that Miss Patterson had
any motive which might lead her TO
kill Young Justice Davis instructed
the jury that while IL is not always
necessary for the prosecution to prove
motive it is important in connection
with the other facts
In circumstantial evidence" said he
the question Of motive often becomes
important. but it is not a motive that
is imagined; il must be proved"
Judge Davis finished his charge 10
the jury at 12:15 D, m.
Counsel for the defense asked the
judge TO charge the jury on the evil
deuce of B. L. Mexican. but the judge
said he had already done so.
Took the Pistol Along.
Before going out one of the Jurors
asked for the pistol in the case so as
to make tests with it.
When the jury had left the court
room the police officer i'm charge Of
Nan Patterson escorted her out of the
court room to await the verdict. and
she followed the officer with a quick
firm step AS she passed her father
gave her a parting hand-clasp
Soon after the jury retired the Court
took a recess until O'Clock.
An immense crowd Of curious people
thronged the corridors awaiting the
verdict.
Bore Up Well.
In the long hour and a quarter Occu-
Mod hrrt bn 4tr1 cha -,
Miss Patterson bore herself well. The
pallor of five months i'm the Tombs
was touched a clearer white by the
strain under which she iabored, but
only that and the sustained rigor of her
attitude betrayed the tension of her
nerves. She was gowned in black. the
only touches of color being q purple