The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1908-02-24
TRIAL is RESUMED TODAY
AND DEFENDANT TESTIFIES
Godetts Gives Testimony in His Own Behalf--Though
Subject to Severe Cross Examination Tells Same
Story....Case Probably Close Tomorrow.

International rains, TCD. 70.
Especial to the Pioneer. The
present term of court for Kooch
iching county which is being helc
in this village is a noteworthy one
principally through the trial O.
James Godetts on the charge o.
murder in the first degree-the kill
ing of Charles Williams, near Big
Falls, on the evening of August Fl
1907.
The holding of term of court in
International Falls is something Of
an innovation, as the county OF
Koochiching is an infant, being
scarcely more than a yearling. How
ever, Notwithstanding the extreme
youth of Koochiching, the officials
of the new county are all most
efficient, for the most part bein G
seasoned by puplic service in their
former homes before coming to this
county.
When the adjourned term OF
court convened Tuesday morning,
the trial of James Godetts for
murder in the first degree, was at
once taken up, and the work of
securing jury began.
The twelve good men and true"
were not secured until los venire-
men had been examined, which
occupied until 4 o'clock Thursday
afternoon.
At the beginning of the trial
Judge Spooner appointed C. w.
Scrutchin, the colored attorney of
Bemidji, to act as counsel for
Godetts. Mr.. Scrutchin has asso-
ciated with him in the case J. C..
Chamberlain of this village.
Sheriff P. A. Walsh is assisted in
his official duties by T. w. Bailey,
chief deputy; Harry Groves of Big
Falls; John Triska of Littlefork,
and Joseph Coughlin of Interna-
tional Falls, the latter having charge
of the jury.
J. H. Drummond, clerk of court,
is assisted by his efficient deputy,
Minnie Doyle.
c. w. Stanton, county attorney,
is assisted in the prosecution by
John E. Samuelson.
The state rested on Saturday,
much to the surprise of the defense,
it being thought that Mr.. Stanton
would not cease in presenting his
case at least before Saturday even
ing, and it was necessary for Mr..
Scrutchin to ask for adjournment
of court until Monday morning
which was granted by Judge
Spooner.
1t is generally conceded that the
case presented against Godetts, as it
now stands, is a very strong one,
and the defense is up against q
difficult proposition to break down
the direct confession which was
made by Godetts, together with the
undisputed evidence of the two
physicians who conducted h {
autopsy on the dead body O.
Williams, and who swore that the
fourth shot fired by Godetts (which
was done while Williams lay helpless,
on the ground) was the fatal woune
inflicted at the time of the homicide
The confession was illustrated b.
photos of Godetts, taken at the TIM
he testified at the inquest, which wa
held at the scene of the killing, will
the body lying where found, and witt
Godetts reproducing wildly ever,
movement which he made on tn
fatal evening.
It was also shown that there wa
i'll feeling between the two men.
It is judged that Mr.. Scrutchi1
will make strong fight to show tina
the killing of Williams was but al
act of self-defense on the part O
Godetts.
During the entire examination
Mr.. Scrutchin tried to break tn
force of the statement made b
Godetts at the inquest, endeavorin
to show to the jury that, through tn
ofhciousness of Sheriff Walsh
Godetts was in measure forced t
60 through again his actions on tn
day of the killing.
It is known that the d sfense ha
several witnesses who will swear tina