Los Angeles herald., 1905-02-18
LIFE IMPRISONMENT FATE OF
CHAMPION
SLEPT WHILE LAWYER PLEAD
Prisoner Shows Little Interest In the
Proceedings and Takes Long
Nap During the
Trial

the verdict Of the jury in Judge
Smiths court, which found him guilty
of the murder of his brother, Thomas
ID. Champion, and which fixed his pun
ishnent at Imprisonment for life In the
penitentiary.
When his faithful wife, who has been
with him during the trial, realized the
Significance of the verdict which sep
arates her from her husband for life,
she wept Historically.
The convicted man was allowed to
speak to his relatives, and soon after
the verdict had been announced an
officer led him back to the county jail,
where he will remain until he Is sent
to the penitentiary.
Aside from the able address made
by Deputy District Attorney Donnel,
the feature of yesterdays proceedings
was the record breaking speech made
by Attorney Will d. Gould in behalf
of the defendant
Gould commenced his address Thurs
day, shortly after the noon hour, and
he concluded at 4:30 o'clock yesterday
afternoon.
The address made by Gould is the
longest one that has been made in a
criminal case before the courts of this
county for years, and owing to the
length of the attorneys speech it was
necessary to hold a night session of the
court.
After having addressed the jury for
a period of seven hours, the attorney
announced to the astonishment of the
court and the vast throng of spectators
that there was more to come"
Prisoner Takes Nap
At this point in the proceedings the
defendant removed his heavy boots.
and throwing himself on the floor, he
was soon sound asleep.
Gould replied at great length to the
opening argument of Major Donnell,
and then in an address which lasted
for nearly four hours he set forth the
defendants side of the case.
At $50 o'clock last night Major Don"
nell. in behalf of the prosecution, COM
menced his final address to the jury in
behalf Of the prosecution.
Champions in Court
A throng of spectators, many of whom
were members of the Champion family,
crowded the court room. and the pros
ecutor held his audience in almost
breathless silence as he delivered the
closing address to the jury.
"IIis life and his liberty are with
you, and l urge you to stand by your
duty" said the district attorney. do
not be moved by anything that savors
of sympathy or passion"
He called the jury's attention to the
fact that the defendants attorney had
hardly mentioned the name of the de-
ceased in his conduct of the case.
In passing upon the testimony given
by the defendant while on the witness
stand Major Donnell declared that it |
had been colored to suit the occasion.
IF there is time that defendant
will color his testimony it is when he
hears the creaking of prison doors and
as he sees vision of the gallows be-
fore his eyes,
Major Donnell scoffed at the idea of
advanced as mitigating circum-
stance in the case. He insisted that
since the first trouble between the
brothers last May, several months
prior to the tragedy. there had been
a sufficient lapse of time within which
to cool all animosity.
Threats of Prisoner
He also called the jury's attention
to the threats made by the defendant
against other members of the family
and he asked the jury to disregard the
plea of self-defense.
Attorney Gould in his argument
spoke at some length against the in
Fiction of capital punishment. Major
Donnel replied to the remraks of the |
attorney on this point and he strongly
urged the jury to return verdict fix
ing the penalty at death on the gall
lows.
after centuries of experience 1t Is
still upon the statute books of our
country" argued the district attorney.
Major Donnell bitterly arraigned the
testimony of the defendant in relation
TO the alleged bullet holes in his hat.
He intimated that the hat had been
perforated subsequent to the murder.
The district attorney touched at
some length upon the testimony given
by the defendant.
In a dramatic manner Major Donnell
said;
Prom the testimony of the defend
ant alone, together with the dead body
of Thomas d. Champion, he should be
convicted of murder in the first de-
gree"
Scouts Defense Plea
Major Donnell spoke at some length
on the subject of self defense. "If his
(COntlnued ON PaEe Twol