The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-29
An Unusual Theory.

IneOry. Ihey say that Stella Brennan
did not kill Elizabeth Brennan, but if
she did Kill her she. was not sane when
Mr.. Smith then read the statutes re-
lating to the various grades of homicide
and dwelt upon the definition Of MUIR
der in the first degree.
And those, gentlemen Of the Jury,
are wholesome laws. Those have been
the laws of the state of Minnesota for
many years and were the laws of the
state of Minnesota when this defen-
dant, Stella Brennan, came fro1n the
state Of Illinois into the state Of Min
nesota."
The Matter Of Insanity.
/ In the matter Of insanity, gentle
men, the S ,dtes say that person is
responsible Tor his own acts unless he is
suffering from such defect Of reason
as not to know the nature Of the act he
And that law has been the cause Of
stopping just such taking defenses as
the one in this case-eShe didn It do it
but if she did she was crazy
That s the law and it $ good, every
day common sense. Yes, it's the law.
and no expert, whether he's been cor
oner or not. can change that law."'
Defense Fake.
II would not say, this defense is
double. It's not. It's fake, It's false
and has been brought before this jury
that this woman may escape and walk
out OF this courtroom, perchance, with
James Brennan. It is straw that
they grabbed at floating down this tor
rent Of evidence that flows to but one
conclusion, that shat woman murdered
those children in icold Ablood and with
a premeditated DESIGN 'ttos@.effect the
death of those innocent. little ones.
There s only one person who hash t
been affected by this tale of murder
and blood. That person is this defend
ant. Why's Because she is wicked.
Because she knows in her heart that she
nerve and she proposes to keep it. And
she has done it during this trial.
"Do you think I do not know that
there IS a woman on trials Do you not
think that to me as to every true man,
true woman is the dearest thing in
this worlds Do you think I do not
know that the strongest part of this
an? 1 know, but what would you think
Of me if said, I won It prosecute this
defendant because, she is a. woman9'
! Would, you listen to me a minute on
would to oa say az E frG shoafd say "fai
nolle this case because Stella Brennan
is woman?' If I should say, 'let her
go back to Brennan because she IS a
woman shf / should say : crazy
"Why, you would say to me as I
shall say to you, DO your duty. En-
force, the laws Of the state Of Mime
| sOta.'
When they talk to YOU about svm-
pathy for this defendant because she
IS woman, let your minds 90 back to
the little innocent children, in their
borrowed graves: in Chicago. Remem.
4 Der the little pieces Of bleeding CLAW,
made so by the terrible murder Of this
woman, their stepmother. - '-'
The Suicidal Attempt.
! Mr.. Smith referred in passing to the
evidence showing that the defendant
attempted to commit suicide in Chi
cago. He brought out that one who
attempts to commit suicide in Mime
sofa is guilty Of felony and liable tc
imprisonment in the state penitentiary
And yet they say that this defend
ants attempt to commit suicide is an
evidence OF insanity. Why, they might
as well say that an attempt to rob a
/ he@aA " w SOluulG ally OGner IolOnV Is
an evidence Of insanity.'' :
. Counsel then proceeded to point out
the .undisputed facts going to prove the
'corpus delicti' and emphasized the
! heartwringing details Of the murder.
/ Mrs. Brennan Weeps.
;, AS he pictured with graphic touch
4 the narrowing effects of that crime. thu
innocent babes found shot, lying il
their own blood, and the ghastlines
that pervaded the house of death, there
were tears In the eyes of several jurors
j and handkerchiefs were freely used il
and for the first time during the lons
trial Mrs. Brennan could not keep bacf
the tears: For several moments sh
covered her eyes with her handker
chief. Her wonderful nerve soon re
asserted itself, however, and she sa
dry but red-eyed and listened to TIN
terrible arraignment by the county at
Mr.. Smith then took up step by, ste
the state s, evidence undisputed by thu
, defense. After reviewing the testimo
, ny of the fremen and detectives VIII
found the dead bodies, he passed to tn
testimony of Mrs. Sidney, who, ivin
next door, heard a shot. got up, hear,
: two more after short intervals, anc
looking out of her bathroom window
: saw no sign Of anyone around the Bren
nan residence or onsthe roof of the Bren
nan shed.
/. The testimony of Mr.. and Mrs. Fan
n mer, living in rooms below<the Bren
nan flat, was next taken up, and tn
y fact that they had heard the five shot
at intervals, heard talking and step
above them and saw or heard no on
outside.
Therefore it must stand uncontrs
: dicted on the testimony Of Mrs. Sidney
!, Mr.. and Mrs. Farmer and of Tomm
fat. before the first shot was fired, tn
t shot that killed Elizabeth Brennan.
must stand that the four children Wer
= asleep, and this defendant was awake
y proWling about, a midnight ASSASSIN
There is no evidence to dispute this e.