Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-07-13
SOME
STRANGE
TRIALS

middle ages has. just been concluded
at Delemont, in the canton of Soleure,
Switzerland Last January house
was broken into and robbed, and its
owner, a rich man named Merger, muir
dered. Suspicion fell on a certain
Scherer and his son, who, on being
arrested, while confessing the crime,
averred that Merger was first attack.
ed by their boarhound, which pulled
him down and KILLED him before they
plunged their knives into his breath
less body. This line of defense re-
suited in the arrest of the hound,
which was placed in the dock beside
its masters. The jury, having found
the three prisoners guilty, says London
Tit-Bits, the judge sentenced the two
Scherers to imprisonment for life and
the dog TO be shot.
In 1S49, at the time when Hungary
nose in revolt against the dominion of
Austria, dog belonging 10 Magyar
patriot chanced to bark at an Austrian
officer. This harmless demonstration
was construed into reasonable act,
and in default of the dogs owner,
who could not be found, the animal
was arrested and tsied by court-mar.
tial. Fortunately for the prisoner, it
by chance displayed a marked liking
for the presiding officer, on whom it
fawned affectionately, and who, con-
sidering its present conduct a suffi-
cient Indication of regret for it's erst-
while disloyalty, ordered dts acquittal.
An amusing trial took place at Bres-
lau in 1925, when pig was hailed be-
fore the magistrates, charged with
savage assault upon the burgomaster,
whom it had chased through the town
and bitten i'm tine leg. The lawyer who
was retained for the animal s defense
pleaded that his client had mistaken
the civic magistraAe for one against
whom ID owed a 9mdge, and was ready
to offer full apology for its misdeeds.
the presiding magistIate thereupon
remarked, with much solemnity, that
the prisoners correct attitude had un-
saved its life, and that q
fine would meet the merits of the case.
This was duly inflicted and paid by
the pigs owner, who was then per-
mitted TO lead the delinquent out Of
court.
Mhow, in central India, was the
scene of a eourt-martial of an ele-
phant accused of having killed his ma
tive keeper. With it's neck encircled
by a chain firmly attached TO the col
Ia'ls of two other elephants, the cul-
prit was led betwcen double file,
consisting of all the elephants of the
station, to the place of trial. When II
rad been firmly secured, the brigade
major and staff rode along the line,
Ialting within few rods of the pris.
,ne-. Then, having produced several
Iheets of foolscap, the brigade major
proceeded to read the charges, with
he evidence for and against the cul-
nit, who was ultimately found guilty !
md sentenced to forty eight ashes
With chain and to drag about for
hlee months log attached to it's leg.
The first part of the sentence was ear
led out by powerful elephant, who,
the chain with its trunk be-
abored It's fellow-paehyderm most un-
percifully.
Although it can scarcely be called
ecent. the case of a gardener s ass
Thich in 176S was tried at at Mines
N a charge of sacrilege, may be here
ited It's master, having left it for
few minutes, the animal strolled
nto church, the door of which was
pen, and. seeing a basin Of holy
rater, took a drink. Caught In the
cry act, it was called upon TO answer
or ia iuiquity. Counsel was APP
ointe! for dts defense, but so irrefu-
able was the evidence that verdict
2 entity WAS a fore0ona onchlSion, |