New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1905-08-02


the charge of the Judge the jury in the
case of the state of Minnesota VS.. DR..
Geo. r. Koch has brought in a verdict
of "Not Guilty.
There was but one ballot taken and
that was the informal ballot, when it
was found that the jury was all OF one
mind and there was no need OF argu-
ment or discussion.
This is the conclusion of the third
trial which the young man has stood
charged with the crime of numbering
DR.. L. A. Gebhardt on the night of
Nov. 1st, 1904.
Justice has at last triumphed and the
verdict that should have been given in
the firstdrial is at last secured in a
city away from the home of the &C
cused.
When court sat in the case in this
city late in December a fierce wind
storm tore from the hands of the figure
of Justice that adornd the court house
the scales that are symbolical of the
measure of justice, and those who are
Justice would not be secured and it was
not.
When the case came to trial in
Mankato the first time, bird flew in
at the window and fell almost at the
feet of the jury, and the superstitious
at that time said that there would be
no chance with that jury for the free
dom OF the prisoner.
At this last trial a bird also flew in
at the window and uttering one note
flew out and those who are disposed
to be superstitious said there would
surely be freedom for the prisoner and
it is so.
The Review has not the opportunity
at this time to go into the details of
the case more than to say that it was
inevitable and that the end could have
been no different, and there is JOY in
the hearts of the members of the Koch
family and the relatives as we'll as the
friends of the unfortunate young man.
He has demonstrated to the people
of this city and to all who have watch
ed him from day to day as he has ap-
peared with this terrible charge hang
ing over him, that he was not bowed
down by the weight Of guilt that could
have been only the result of the COM
mission of such crime. and it is his
own appearance as much if not more
than any of the testimony that has been
offered that has had weight with the
jury in determining his innocence.
There was a wild scene in the court
room when the jury was brought in
to return it's verdict. 1t was never
for moment thought that there would
be a conviction, even by the attorneys
for the state and the best that they ex-
pected was a disagreement, SO when
the jury sent word that it was ready
to report, it was generally conceded
that the verdict would be an acquittal.
At the conclusion of the session and
after the adjournment of court Dr.
Koch shook the hand of each member
of the jury and thanked them for the
verdict and the Interest they each had
taken in the presentation Of the testi-
mony and showed in his undemonstra-
tive manner that he appreciated all
that it meant to him.
Then there was general and in
formal cOngratulating ceremony from
all the friends of the accused and he
was borne from the court house amidst
the good wishes of all who were there
with perhaps the exception of the
prosecuting attorneys.
1t would be foolish to say of the
people of this city that the verdict
gives universal satisfaction, for tina
is not the truth. 1t is reasonable tt
suppose that there are men in this
city who are even sorry that the yer
dict is as it is, unwilling to rest with
the decision of the jury, who will cal
it a miscarriage of justice and dis
grace to the city and the people of the
state.
Mr.. Somerville was in the city las
night on his way home and was feel
ing excellent over the outcome of the
case. He said that one of the jury