The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-11-22

facts in the case, everything which
had been done was fair and open. He
said he had known the family for many
years and better or more law abiding
and respected family did not reside in
Decatur county. 1t was inconceivable
how such an occurrence should take
place, but he believed that the defend
ant and his wife were deeply attached
and loved each other. The evidence of
their neighbors showed they lived
happily together, and in view of all
circumstances il seemed Incredible that
the defendant could be guilty Of
murder. The defendant had carefully
considered the matter before making
his plea of guilty, realizing that the
case might be dragged along for years
in trial and at great expense. He was
only % years Of age and outside Of his
weakness for liquor had been good
citizen. Since his confinement in the
Jail he had been a model prisoner and
had sought to employ his time profitably
and to advantage. He had already
suffered more than tongue could tell,
everything that human mind and soul
could suffer. Mr.. McGinnis said he be-
lieved in the idea of reformation and
that it could be we'll applied in this
case, and If the defendant was given an
opportunity he would make useful
citizen. If given moderate sentence
he would at the expiration of his term
of Imprisonment still be of an age to do
something for himself and the world.
We are all weak and liable to fall into
difficulties, and if we try to make
amends we should be given chance.
OF all the cases he had ever known this
would above all others give the court
an opportunity to grant the defendant
the opportunity to reform. He had
talked the matter over with his father
and his attorneys and arrangements had
been made for him to employ his time
in prison to good advantage so as to
make him better man. While on the
face Of the evidence submitted with
the indictment it looks like cruel
murder, still many of the circumstances
could have been explained away. He
asked the court to take into considera-
tion all Of the facts, the good standing
of the father, mother and sisters, upon
whom the sentence would fall the
heaviest, and impose such sentence as
the court. thought best, believing that
he would be not only just but -mercifu'.
Mr.. McGinnis was followed by C. W..
haOutudiS ulo SO-Couuoc1 Ill Uu6 case, VINO
said that in all his experience at the
bar he had never before allowed a
client to plead guilty to the charge of
murder, and while the evidence in this
case appeared ugly, they could if
desired have explained many of the
disagreeable surroundings. That there
was no question of the affection of the
defendant for his wife, and no man ever
suffered greater grief. That the
present intent of the law is to temper
justice with mercy, and the youthful
age of the defendant would still permit
him if given reasonable sentence to
become useful citizen.
Mr.. Hoffman was followed by county
attorney Kelley who spoken briefly,
calling attention to the fact that the
evidence showed the defendant had not
treated his. wife as he, should, that he
had whipped and abused her, and if he
had been properly punished for his
minor crimes toward his wife he would
not be in court to receive sentence for
killing her. He asked the court to take
all the facts in consideration, and not