The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1907-01-24
THE CONVICTION
OF SItMStN


SAN FRANCISCO. january u.-Af-
ter being oul hut twelve minutes the
jury BOB hu -iemsen case returned %
verdict of murder in The first degree
yesterday
but two witnesses were put in the
stand for the defense, the urst being
Police Sergeant Eastman, who was
called for the purpose of refuuug the
testimony of Bischon the man who
saw Siomsen and Dabner leave the
bank ON the DAY of the murder Bls-
chon testified that he had gagged the
time boy a factory whistle that sounded
.at 1855 each morning. Eastman who
is stationed i'm the district, testified
that he knew of no such whistle.
John Byrue, a prisoner at the Bush
street JAIL testified to having seen
and heard Siemscn abused and threat
enpl by bis iaiers 20 cXtort comics
sions from him.
District Attorney Langdon made the
opening statement for the people. He
went carefully over the evidence and
.dvet upon the horror and terror that
the confessed crimes of the defendant
had caused Blu, ltle attempt was
made by the District Attorney TO argue
the guilt of the accused lie held
that the fact that the confessions had
been voluntary had been plainly proved
land made a stern demand for a YER
dict of murder in the first degree with
out recommendation.
"The evidence I'm this case is such,
he said chat there are only two YER
diets that you can possibly bring in.
You must either hold John Siemsen to
puilrv OF murder i'm the first degree
or YOU must acqult him and turn him
loose with his gaspipe to prey upon
society" The District Attorney con-
cludnd his argument i'm the afternoon
MAKES CLAIMS OF PREJUDICE.
For the defense. Attorney Greedy
argued that the widespread prejudice
against Siemsen, caused by the news
papers. had made the authorities over
anxious to convict him, i'm order to en-
nance their own prestige. He referred
to the Chief of Detectives as 'the
.broodthfrsty Duke and to the Bush
street TaH as ga second black hole of
Calcutta" He claimed that the con-
LESSONS had been cXtorted and that
most of the evidence for the prosecu-
ton was not reliable.
Assistant District Attorney Hanley
closed four the people i'm dramatic
summary Of the crime and subsequent
events He drew vivid picture OF the
traacbery Of the defendant, whose
trade was murder" i'm striking down
| the friendly Japanese banker VINO
trusted him, and Of the cowardice dis
plaved i'm the attack on Sasak made in
the fear Of detection Both sides waiY-
ing a written charge. Judge COOK
charged the jury in a very few words
The Jury was out but twelve minutes
| and on returning announced its VerdlcI
through r. J. O'Brien, the foreman.
! Attorney Greedy gave notice that he
would file a motion for a new trial and
asked that the statutory five days be
extended, which was denied by Judge
Cook
MAINTAINS AIR OF BRAVADO.
Throughout the proceedings Siemsen
maintained his air of bravado and did
not finch when the verdict was pro-
nounced. During District Attorney
.Langdon's argument, when that Of
fetal turned on him in fierce denuncia-
ton, Siemsen laughed in his face.
When the jury was out Siemsen was
asked what if they say guilty.
ooh, well if they do, it goes" he re-
turned.
Crowds blocked Fillmore street all
the afternoon and Judge Cook was
compelled to order all those who could
not find seats to leave the courtroom.
When the trial was over a squad of
police was compelled to use clubs to
clear a pathway through the crowd on
the street to the wagon that took
Siensen back TO prison.