The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-19
STATE EXPECTS
A DISAGREEMENT
Defense Is Disappointed, but
Maintains Jury Will Find
Verdict Of Innocence.
JURY WRESTLES WITH
EXHIBITS IN THE CASE
Defendant Forced to Forego the
Pleasure of Dinner with
Home Folks.

New Ulm, Mimi, Jan. 19.-The fats
OF DR.. George r. Koch still hangs III
the balance. The jury, which retired
at 1925 yesterday afternoon, is still
out.
The deliberations Of the jury were
continued until about IL O'Clock last
night, and were renewed again this
morning at an early hour. No word
has been received from the jurymen,
and all that can be told about their
work is what can be seen thru the win
dows from the outside.
One thing which has undoubtedly de-
layed the work of the jury is the large
number of exhibits which must neces-
sarily be carefully examined before the
twelve can reach their decision. Among
these were the exhibits on handwriting
and typewriting and the handkerchief
which was found in the murdered man g
room. 1t was. necessary for the jury
men to have good light when they ex-
amined these, and that precluded much
work last night.
So great is the interest taken in the
case, not only in New Ulm and Brown
county, but thruout the northwest, that
the jurymen no doubt do not feel JUS
titled in reaching hasty verdict. The
wiser ones would probably advise pro-
longed deliberation, and it is possible
that they will not return verdict until
S'oA.oAAo", oNon Il GAey dIe dDle 70
agree sooner.
Disagreement, Says State.
The states attorneys are confidently
predicting a disagreement, having long
ago abandoned the hope of convicting
the defendant. They say that there is
| no chance Tor an agreement of the jury
| either for conviction or acquittal.
| On the other hanG; the defendant g
| q orr 4 -
their client will be acquitted. They say
that, while the state has built up a
strong circumstantial case, it has sig
nally failed in connecting Dr. Koch
with the crime. They claim that thew
have shattered the states case and
/ that no juror could find the defendant
Equity beyond reasonable doubt.
Does Not Dine at Home.
DIR. Koch spent the morning in his
cell in the county Jail reading novel
He appeared cheerful, tho anxious
about the outcome. He had planned to
take dinner at home today, and his only
disappointment at noon was that the
jury had not yet set him free.
They can never convict me,'' said
DR.. Koch, "but they may disagree. Ii
is hard to tell what a jury will do.
Some man may stick it. It would be
a great disappointment to me to have
this jury disagree and to have to go
thru all this trouble again. I am in
nocent of the crime charged, and it is
pretty hard to be shut up here in jail.
IF the jury disagrees, will they
hold the next trial Immediately or will
there be change Of venue9 If there
is change of venue I think would
! like to go to Ramsey or Hennepin
county where there will be some ac-
commodations. I would hate to have
the case tried in some little town where
there are no accommodations whatever.
l would like to get to some place where
public sentiment is not so strong.''
While the jury was celebrating, the
attorneys on both sides spent the time
at the hotel. General Childs spent the
morning in packing his books to re-
turn to st. Paul. Senator Somerville is
anxiously awaiting the verdict so that
he can go to st. Paul to take up his
duties as senator from this district and
as chairman Of the senate judiciary
committee. Mr.. Frederickson returned
to Springfield last night and Mr.. Brown
and Mr.. Abbott will go to Winona as
, soon as the verdict is returned
Crank in Courtroom.
} While the crowd was in the court
room this morning waiting for the YER
dict, crank came in. He carried a
: satchel and his peculiar actions
aroused the suspicious of those in the
room. Officers questioned him and he
! gave the name Of Frank Rutland, and
! ! said he was farmer living near Wood
= Lake, MINI. Fearing that he was dam
: gerous, the officers elected him.