The San Francisco call., 1905-03-23
DRAMA TIC
SCENE IN
COURTROOM
GOuCheP'S Father
BegS Juru to
Spare Son.
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tense silence reigned in the courtroom.
1t was only broken now and then by a
suppressed sob from woman.
MAKES HIS BEST EFFORT.
In an even, modulated voice, the
father poured out his appeal. He had
addressed many assem- blages. he had
tried to convince parties and factions;
but never before had he put every
effort of his intellect into an address,
never had he desired so earnestly In
his heart and soul to convince an audi
ence so much as he did those twelve
men yesterday.
He was plea ding for the life of his
first born, pleading 10 prevent his
faithful wife from being made broken
hearted woman, pleading to save his
other children from the shadow OF
disgrace. 1t was the oratorical master
piece of his life.
What to him was the ability to
sway multitudes If it could not save
the life of his SON? What were the
triunlphs of the past if he could not
when his whole heart and soul were
in the effort. touch the hearts of those
twelve jurors?
Senator Goucher felt all these things
as he made his pathetic appeal. He
tried to feel the confidence that helped
him when he swung the mutable many,
but it was evident that he could not
He pulled himself together and made
his appeal. Irresolution is not in the
Goucher makeup.
Surely, not even the most ambitious
District Attorney could wish to earn
his laurels at the expense of my boy s
life. Surely, not one citizen of this
great-hearted State but would greet
you with outstretched hands were you
tc bring in verdict that would send
this boy back to his mothers out
stretched arms.
ITO be merciful is better than to be
just If my boy fell into bad company,
if he formed acquaintance that made
of him a tool-blame the Creator, who
makes youths unwise and knaves to
bear the semblance of men,
The fathers voice sank lower and
lower, the mother sobbed, the accused
criminal bowed his head. Leaning to-
ward the jury, Senator Goucher con-
cluded:
Now, gentlemen, am finished. The
case is in your hands. You have the
power to deal with my boy when l do
not. After 1 quit talking there will
be no words said in his behalf. 1 must
remain mute during the remainder of
this trial"
is SHAKEN BY EMOTION.
For an instant the father stood ST.
lent before the jury. His lips moved
and his body shook as If he were re-
strainingi with. an effort desire to
burst into 8 last passionate appeal for
mercy but he turned Slowly and
walked to where his son sat.
The father patted the accused MUIR
derer upon the back, and Alan Goucher
placed his arm for moment around
the fathers neck The last words that
could be spoken in kid" Goucher's
behalf had been uttered by the father.
All through the proceedings the sis
ter of the murdered man sat heavily
yelled in a corner of the courtroom.
She neither spoke nor moved.
With relentless, stern and persistent
effort. District Attorney Byington pro-
ceeded to tear aside every bit of SEN
timent that the faithful father had
built around kid" Goucher, the ac-
Guessed murderer.
Il say" thundered the District At
torney, that that man Goucher is as
cold blooded and desperate a criminal
as ever walked the streets Of San
Francisco"
Instantly Attorney Reese Clark, one
of the lawyers for the defense, ut
tered a shrill protest, but he was 81
fenced by the court At frequent inter-
walls the quavering voice of the lawyer
from the foothills interrupted the Dis
trict Attorney.
Needless of interruption, oblivious to
everything but the stern duty before
him. Byington continued This case
is being watched by two classes, of peo-
ple-the criminal element that hangs
even around the Hall of Justice
Senator Goucher interrupted with q
strenuous objection.
Yes" continued Byington, you have
what the criminals call the yegg men.
who look upon this man as hero, and
on the other hand there is every man
who does not sympathize with Grim
inals and murderers.
.rThe men who were associated with
this prisoner In crime are waiting to
receive him with open arms II justice
is not done. AS certain as he goes free
he goes back to life of crime. There
is not one redeeming feature in his
character.
DENOUNCES "KID" GOUCHER.
This is the man who, when that
brave policeman lay dying on the side
walk, fired into his prostrate body.
Why, he is a fiend from hell.
IF it were not for this man, Officer
Eugene c. Robinson would be alive to-
day But Goucher, with revolver in
hand and murder in his heart. said I'm
not going to rum That man fired the
.3S-caliber bullet into the writhing
body.
IF he were loose and met you on the
highway. Up with your hands. gentle
men, on peril Of your 'hves! There is
only one crime worse than Goucher's
that is to turn him loose to resume his
career Of crime.
1.-The counsel for the defense have
sneered at Policeman Taylor. Police
man Taylor is too brave g. man to tell
q lie. / take off my hat to Taylor. To
his honor, be it said, he never halted
on that night. He went straight after
three armed men. and never halted.
Give Detectives Dinan and Wren the
credit for running down six of the most
desperate criminals that ever infested
this city. Thank God we have officers
brave enough to do their duty.
"A Drawer man than Policeman Rob-
-inson never lived. AS In the case of
heroes of history the best that can be