Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1906-01-18
Mrs. E. Bagot Harfe.
b Y

NAMED crowded, and reporters noted
every passing incident with unfailing
attention.
In addition to the police and the
medical Witnesses, only one man gave
evidence against the prisoner, and
that man was the prisoners brother.
Never did mortal feel his position
more acutely than Reggie as he en-
tered the witness box. His pallor ex-
ceeded the prisoners and his nervous
ness was tenfold greater. Not for
second did the brothers eyes meet.
With head slightly bent and hands
resting on the rails of the dock, the
prisoner listened to every word that
was uttered; listened to the pitiful re-
cital of the false proofs of his guilt
the finding of the blood-stained pen
knife and the throwing of it into the
fire; listened to description of his
own conduct on the occasion; listened
and hated himself. Hated himself for
the pain that he was inficting on his
brother.
Those moments during which Reg
gle stood in the witness box We're
fraught with pathetic interest All
hearts We're touched by the sight of
his unhappiness; all pitied him inf
nitely more than they did his brother.
With a sigh of relief they saw that
the cross-eXamination was over, saw
the white-faced, heart-sick witness
stagger back into the well of the court
and resume his seat at the solicitors
table Now counsel for the prosecu-
ton was addressing the jury. He was
brief, emphatic, certain of his case
Only for short time did he occupy
the time of the court. Then the coun-
sci for the defense rose Well did he
realize that his eloquence could alone
be directed in pleading for verdict of
manslaughter and in pointing out that
the confession of the crime should
alone be accepted as proof of killing
Fermentation could not be attributed
to the crime. The pleading of Guilty"
was the natural result of the unhappy
prisoners determination not to screen
himself from punishment Having
come forward, laid bare his sin and
given himself up to be Judged was in
itself reason why the extreme pen
atty should not be demanded of him.
Would it not act as a deterrent to 9TH
ers to act as he had If he were treated
with the same severity as if he had
not taken the leading part in his own
prosecution?
He was no cool-headed, deliberate
sinner, but one who in moment of
extreme provocation had given way to
sudden craving to free himself at
any cost from hateful opportunities.
No one would ever know what had
preceded the woman's death, for on
that head nothing could be elected
from the prisoner, although probably
1T would have proved information on
which to found a strong defense.
1t was typical of the man that he
should allow the greatness of his re.
morse to stand between him and the
mitigation of his punishment. Mercy
he did not ask, but that was NO reason
why It should not be melted out to him.
Probably the deceased woman had
threatened to expose him in the ewes
of the world, threatened to make his
life burden to him. goaded him
tainted him, worked her utmost to
drive him to desperation. And had
succeeded! In an unfortunate moment
self-command had deserted him; this
man OF hitherto irreproachable charac-
ter had fallen victim to sudden mnr.
derous impulse. 1t was pitiable tale
OF a useful, honorable life suddenly
felled to the ground.
lhat the prisoner had suffered acute
pangs Of remorse was incontestables
and that he had done all that man
could to purge himself from sin could
never be doubted.
Finally, and with dramatic imnres.
@siyeness, counsel pleaded that a YER
dict of "nanslaughter" would carry
with It all the punishment that the
crime demanded
He then resumed his seat,
Immediately the Judge began his
summing I'M al up. Quickly the trial was
drawing to a colse, quickly approach
Ing was the moment when the verdict
would be pronounced. The prisoner
realized 1t. and frightened his hold On
his self-command.
Not for an instant did 1t enter his
ml;sd to give in. VaciIlation helnn gad
TO the past, solid determination to the
present.
Now the jury was fling out of
court. Would they be long consider
Ing the verdict? was the question that,
arose in every mind. Jndgin BY the
irrefutable evidence, the verdict OUCH, I
70 be unanimous and speedily arrived
at
But there were men On that iury.
students Of human nature, who had
listened 70 the evidence and studied
the prisoners face simultaneously.
and to these men It seemed incredib1e
TINT Ne was q murderer.
h But his brothers evidence Was HI
ia support Of 4, = said one man. sharp
Sly and any one could see that he was
greatly upset at having to say what