Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-07-20
Is Their ANY JustlticatIon3

comments regarding this peculiar plea,
or subterfuge, and its application IN
criminal jurisprudence. There was
no other pretense for the verdict ui
the jury in such rrosec utiOn. After
Mitchell was killed hy his sister, it
developed at the autopsy that the
decea-ed's brain was normal, and
there were no indications of insanity.
hus 1t would appear there had been
miscarriage oil Justice. At the trial OF
Mitchell testimony was adduced show
ing insanity prevailed in his family;
that his sister and slayer, Esther
Mitchell, had shown pronounced signs
OF mental unbalance for years, and
more recently regarding her connec-
ton with the Holy Rollers" Now,
therefore, /, is IA fair Inference that the
sister Will stand IA good show Of escap-
ing punishment on this plea. The
features appearing in Esthcr's case
have an important bearing on the
widow Creilield's connection with the
killing OF Mitchell, for the two wo-
men were so closely identified i'll their
daily walks and religious fanaticism
that both were doubtless similarly
afflicted.
Crefficld was a most detestable
character. He deserved death many
times, but the trouble arises when the
avenger takes the law in his own
hands and administers summary VEN
geance. He sets an example most per.
nicious in its consequences. If juries
excuse the deed, then another party
with less provocation or perhaps with.
out justification, may feel that he can
do likewise and escape conviction,
proceeding backward towards a state
of nature where every man is a law
unto himself.
Again this practice is demoralizing
upon the individual jurors, who swear
to try the issues upon the law and
evidence, then decide the matter &C.
cording to their sympathies and feel
ings. Such course OF conduct is
demoralizing to the whole moral ma
ture of the individuals participating
in the capacity Of jurors; they are on
the road to become moral wrecks and
mental prostitutes. If such signs are
not visible in their lifetime, nature
recoups by visiting the sins Of the
parents upon the children. Compen-
sation is the universal law. Nature is
a creditor we cannot cheat; she knows
no exemption laws.
Whether young Chester Thompson,
who slew Judge Emory, in his own
home, without provocation, will escape
punishment on this plea OF emotional
insanity" remains for the future to
solve. If he were the son Of q poor
man, or Of parent without influential
friends, it might safely be predicted
that such plea would be without avail.
If any one had told the father of this
youth, the day before the commission
of this dastardly deed, that his son
was insane, undoubtedly the parent
would have been greatly offended, but
now, as the young man is in a tight
place. the father will strain every
nerve to make this plea effective, and
save his son from the haugman's
moose.
It is confidently claimed that young
Tbaw, who killed White, cannot be
convicted in New York City, because
there are forty millions of dollars at
his back. He repudiates the insanity.
contention, and his lawyers for press-
ing such plea. In this regard he is
more honest than they are. Evidently
he doesn't want to escape punishment
under false pretenses.
Chester Thompson's parents are not
wealthy, but his father is q prominent
lawyer at the Seattle bar, having been
for number of years attorney for the
Great Northern Railway Company.
He has always been regarded q good
citizen, but that is no reason why
Chester should not be punished in the
same manner as if he were the son of
the humblest proletarian.
The great masses of people are COM
ing to the belief that there are two
codes of laws, one for the rich, and
another for the poor. There is ample
room for correction and amendment.
1t has been suggested that the law of
criminal procedure ought to be so
amended, that, when a defendant
wishes to interpose the plea of insanity
in his own behalf, he shall be required
to set up such matter specially and
have that issue settled by the verdict
OF jury before the main cause shall
be reached. If this plea be main.
tanned, the prisoner shall be incarcer.
ated 10 the asylum for the insane;
otherwise he shall be tried on the
main issue with the question of his
insanity eliminated.
He CAME HIGH BUT THEY HAD TO
HAVE HIM.-James A. Drain, Adjutant
General of the National Guard in this
State, has resigned that Office, it is
said, to accept a position with the U.
S. Cartridge Co., at $4,000 per annum.
1t is likewise said that he has de.
clined an appointment from Secretary
Root to be U. s. Attorney at Shang-
hal. My! how it rains porridge when
his plate is set to catch it.