The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1905-11-01
MORRIS PIEN|Ck
FOUND GUILTY OF ARSON
After Trial Lasting -Four Days and
Two Nights, the Accused is
Convicted of Arson.


to a close last Friday afternoon, after
session which had continued for
four consecutive days and two nights
The jury was charged by Judge Rigg
at about $3.50 o'clock in the after
noon. At ten that night a verdict
was reached which read: 1--WE find
the prisoner guilty as charged
Norris Pienick was charged with
having set fire to the goods in a
store which he conducted last May in
the Wilson Block in this city. The
fire proved very disastrous, as it gut
ted the entire building. which was
constructed of brick. The indications
pointed strongly to fire of incend-
larry origin. 1t was at first discov-
cred in the rear of the store Cloth
ing was found which bore indications
of having been kerosened. Dry goods
boxes were so placed as to indicate
tneir having been arranged in a
square, with the fire in the center.
All of these facts were brought out
by the state. which produced respon-
sible witnesses testifying to these
conditions. The evidence was entire
ly circumstantial, as there were no
eye-witnesses to the actual deed.
The facts, however, as presented to
the jury were too convincing to Gre
ate a reasonable doubt in the minds
of the jurors that the defendant was
innocent.
The defendant is a nephew of Ellis
II. Gross, one of the best known dry
goods merchants of the Coast He
secured the best counsel available for
the defense. Judge Campbell of Ia
coma came over to assist Attorney
Fred Parker. Attorney n. J. Snively
was largely responsible for the YER
dict of the jury. He had been en-
ployed to assist Prosecuting Attorney
Krutz. A brilliant array of legal tai
as can be seen, was not wanting on
either side. Every possible point for
and against the prisoner was brought
out by these able lawyers. The
speech of Judge Campbell was a very
marked effort on behalf of the de-
PENDANT. He spoke for more than
two hours. and held the attention of
every Juror throughout his review of
the testimony. Mr. Snively's argu-
ment was an equally noteworthy eff
fort on the part of the state. The
judges charge to the jury was, If
anything, little favorable to the
defendant, demonstrating the fact
that he was given every chance
throughout the long trial.
AS soon as the verdict was read,
the state moved to have the bond of
the prisoner doubled. He was then
out on $4,000 bonds. The Judge took
the view of the prosecutor. and
placed the bond at $4,000. 1t was
impossible for the defendant to give
bail Immediately, and he was turned
over to the sheriff and placed in the
county Jail. The prisoners demean-
or throughout the trial had been one
of confidence in verdict of not
guilty. Two minutes before the YER
dict was read in open court, he said
to a reporter for the Herald that
they could not convict him on the
testimony of the state. He was very
bitter against Mr.. Snively. He said
that he intended to come back here
and put in a store which would run
some of the local dealers out of bus
mess. Mr.. Marsh, of Marsh & Ar
mold, was the principal witness for
the state. The defendants bold ef-
frontery changed perceptibly after
the Jury's verdict had been made
known, and 1t was not long before
the prisoner was in tears.
A new trial will be asked for, but
it is not thought that one will be
given, in which event the case will be