The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-17
JEALOUSY AS
MURDER MOTIVE
All the Circumstances Linked To-
gether Point to Koch as the
Murderer.
KERCHIEF, PENCIL AND
POISON DISCUSSED
Arguments Will Be Completed
Today and the Case Given
to Jury Tomorrow.
From = STAR Correspondent.

nous muruef Cr1al OIL Dr. george II.
Koch is all over except the arguments
and the verdict.
At 9:25 am. today General Childs
surprised everybody in the courtroom
by announcing that the state was ready
to rest. Then the defense stated it had
nothing to offer in surrebuttal, and a
minute later the case was ready for ar
gument.
The attorneys quibbled over the adj
mission of certain exhibits and testi-
mony, the result being that two letters,
which had been written by DR.. Koch
and admitted in evidence, were stricken
out.
The case has been a long drawn-out
affair. For thirteen days the Jury has
the courtroom was sorry to hear that
it was at last complete. The arguments
will occupy all of today, and it is not
likely that Judge Weber g charge to
the Jury will be given before tomorrow
morning.
cannot be foretold, but those who have
heard all the evidence think the best
the state can get is disagreement.
Many look for acquittal on tbs
ground Of reasonable doubt as to
guilt. o..
Childs Begins His Argument.
General Childs began his argument
to the jury at 9:4O O'Clock, and with
the firmness and moderation which he
| has manifested at every juncture of the
case said:
elf the state has proved beyond q
reasonable doubt that DR.. Koch COM
mitted this murder we ask for con-
vlction. If, on the other hand, there
is any reasonable doubt in your minds
as to his guilt it is your duty as good
| citizens to acuuit him.
! "This has been q case Of circumstan-
tial evidence and has illustrated the
strength of that kind of evidence. If
! there had been but one circumstance,
handkerchief, or the handwriting on
! the. bottle, you would not have been
4 asked to try this case. But the chain.
! of circumstances independent in the1n-
selves, alr~pointed in the same general
direction
'sThe defense has brought in q pro.
a strong man physically. But what was
. that9 The man who killed him said:
&c will 90 in there and creep upon
I him with smile upon my brow. will
: lull him into a sense. of security and
await my opportunity, and when the
time comes I will deal upon his temple
and powerless. A few blows from this
hammer and the deed will be done.
/ 3sBut this man erred in his Judgment.
The first blow was not struck in the
right place and the athletic young dem
list turned upon the murderer and .
terrible struggle ensued.
+ Slow to Believe It.
"Now, it is not strange that no sus-
picion fell upon this defendant on the
night Of the murder. When men picked
up this handkerchief they could not see
out the bloodstains which revealed the
initials, and even then men were not
willing to believe that this defendant
was connected with the crime. That
was simply shocking to their ideas OF
his family and his standing in the COM
"Tken they found the lead pencil.
Some one suggested that the defendant
had such pencil. There were two facts.
The suspicion grew. stronger, but his
, friends stayed by him and it was not
until facts were added to facts, and the
thorities were forced to believe in his
| guilt. [ do not find fault with his
, friends for what they did. IT is what
) they should have done.
A Motive Developed.
1T said in my opening address that
there did not seem to be any adequate
motive for the murder Since that
time piece Of evidence has been
brought to my attention which shows a
motive. A witness. Ole Ulen, Dane
farmer living near Hanska, entered the
.. dental offices of tn defndant at Hanska
dental . offices s Of f.nd the sona defendant aar
done. You have heard his testimony.
He told the defendant that DR.. Gerhard
:. had pulled teeth for him. The defend
!. ant said sYou wont have him there
ecne sohaE hm would s yoa DO Snf t
mo. I would not do it for all the money
in New Ulm.'
"There was not money enough in the
world to get Ole Ulen to become the
slayer of DR.. Gerhard. His hands might
s, with human blood. Did this foolish
young defendant think that he would
! find in. this farmer tool to avenge his
/, grievances
| Now, did the defendant entertain
l against the dead man a hatred because
heard from the lips Of Ole Ulen that he
had had work done by DR.. Gebhard
! he was wild with passion. DR.. Gerhard
stood in his way.
Other Evidence Of Hatred.
,. ssThe words this defendant spoke
troubled Ulen He could not get then
: out Of his mind When this young mar
E was charged with the terrible crime thu
/ lips of Ole Ulen were opened and hs
repeated the words which gave to this
e prosecution this evidence.
7. "The state does not rest its case upol
2; the words Of this old farmer alone.
9 told you that we would show by a maj
q who stands high in this community tha
this defendant cherished i'll feelin3
9 against DR.. Gebhard. Who this mai
g was was my secret. I thought it owe
>. carefully and might say prayerfull'
e and I called HialEer Hoidale to the wit
~ ness stand. [ asked him If he had hat
2, a conversation with this defendant il
9 regard to the deceased and he replies
e =. s..