Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1906-01-18

the prisoner himself said that he COM
mitted the murder
Yes. that's true enough; but what
/ say is this answered another jury
man, that it's In my opinion very
strange that he would not say word
about the woman-who she was and
where he'd known her, or anything.
Just the bare statement that he killed
her was all he ever confessed to. Now,
in my opinion, the right verdict would
be 'manslaughter,' with very strong
recommendation to mercy"
I'll never agree to that" exclaimed
several men in chorus.
Nor l." added another, vehemently.
I'm the last man to say what don't
believe in, and don't see that any ar
guing will do any good. The man has
confessed to numbering the woman,
and Guilty is the only verdict we can
return. Look how he must have work
ed at hiding her, too In my opinion
it's one Of the worst crimes that could
be! A well educated man, rich, and
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kill poor, half-starved woman is to
my thinking very dark crime. The
only verdict that I'll agree to is
Guilty without any recommendation
to mercy"
That's the right verdict" put in one
or two
But those who had been struck by
the prisoners dignified and calm bear
ing shook their heads and waxed flu
ent over their reasons why a verdict
of "manslaughter" should be returned.
Why not acquit him entirely?" ask
ed one man, in sarcastic voice.
Don't speak like that" said the
foerman, sharply. This is not a jok-
ing matter. None of us have ever had
such serious affair to decide before
in all our lives-as to whether man
must die or may live; and only hope
it won't come my way again"
Meanwhile, in the court itself, spec
ulation was rife amongst those anx-
iously awaiting the return of the jury.
Il wouldn't miss hearing the verdict
given out on no account" said one
woman, native of Arlington, who had
come expressly to hear the verdict
It'll be Guilty. and no mercy, mark
my words" said her husband; "and
shall tell you what will persuade the
jury more than anything else to de-
eide that way?"
Yes"
"Old Searle's murder. Say what you
like, the man who killed the daughter
killed the father"
And why hasn't he confessed it,
then?'
Because Oh, look! Every one is
coming back into court-judge, jury,
and prisoners"
ooh, my! I hope they'll be quick.
My heart is throbbing until l."
But now dead silence held it's sway.
Motionless all remained, scarcely dar-
ing to breathe.
The verdict? The verdict? was the
unspoken thought of all.
Are you agreed?" asked the clerk
of arraigns.
YES" came in low, unsteady
voice from the foreman of the jury.
A moment of GREATNESS, agonized
waiting, during which the prisoner
grasped the bars of the dock with vice
like strength, and his livid face was
turned straight towards the jury Then
there rang out clearly and sharply the
word Guilty"
Right and left arose murmur Of
half approval, half disapproval, to be
hushed into silence the next instant.
Now the prisoner was being asked if
he had anything to say why the SEN
tence of death should not be passed
on him. No; he had nothing to say.
He spoke quickly, hurriedly, as if
yearning for all to be over. Bitter
thoughts at. the whole mockery of the
trial were uppermost in his mind To
think that he, Guy Erskine, had only
to denounce the true criminal to Sc
cure his own release!
But was it possible?
Ito Be Continued.)