The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-06-11
PROSECUTION RESTS ITS CASE AGAINST
ALLEGED SLAYER OF MRS. ALOR|CH
Witnesses Today Complete Strong Web Of Crcumsanti Evidence
Which Surrounds the Prisoner BARNES Exercising
Better Control Over Himself

The prosecution today drew in the
let Of circumstantial evidence it has
been engaged in weaving about the
person OF Hezeki3,n W. Barnes, and 1t
now appears that only the substantial
ton of the plea of insanity can save
the accused murderer from the ga;-
lows
A Strong Case.
Il is doubtful if a stronger case
Of purely circumstantial evidence was
ever made against an alleged murder
er No detail appears lacking in the
case presented by the state ,and had
tho@a who have followed the case
closely seen Bud" Barnes strike the
blow which crushed the life out OF
Mrs Anna Aldrich. they would not be
more certain that the blood of the ue-
fenseless widow is on his hand.
Excellent progress is being made
with the case, twenty witnesses being
called 10 the stand at the morning
session. 1t is believed that the wit
nesses for the defense will begin their
testimony in the morning.
Superior Judge Brents is rushing the
case opening court this morning seven
minutes before scheduled time, and
remaining constantly in session unt:!
u o'clock. when a recess of only an
hour and a quarter was taken.
Tie court made itself popular with
the men folks and some of the women
folks at the opening of the morning
the existence in the court room of Il
large number of Merry Widow hats,
and ordered their removal from the
heads Of the fair wearers. Most OF
the ladies present took the courts
suggestion good naturedly, and all
complied. making it possible for the
sardine-packed spectators to get II
better view of the proceedings.
Barnes Was Quiet.
Barnes appeared to stand the STRAIN
Of the day better than he did yester-
day For one thing, his wife moved up
to the bench occupied by counsel ana
took q seat beside the prisoner, where
she remained throughout the session
Barnes was still very pale and sew
eral times he gripped his hands IN
apparent pain.
During the morning session the
Prisoners wife made several gentle
displays Of affection, which seemed 10
have the effect of considerably quiet
Ing Barnes. who also relieved his mlhu
al times by commenting to his wife on
the testimony being given. During
The examination of Frank Dawn
Barnes, speaking directly to his wlfe'
applied to the witness a very vic
epjthet, and when the court ordefc"
the removal of the Merry WIDOWS
Barnes seemed to appreciate the joke
as much as anyone else present.
No Experts" Probable.
Il With the exception of one wl'nesS'
the prosecution has completed its case
and the defense will have its innings
IA
the defense will be insanity and some
evidence will be presented tending W
show that the defendant was injured
IN the head when small child, nc
Is n9t known what testimony VIII DC
Ireaatel hv the attorneys for the
uelenSe. In VfuN- of the fact that IL
was necessary for the court to appoih'
counsel for the prisoner and these at
"FAeyS are trying the case WITHOUT
'N! remuneration whatever, 1t Is Io'
considered likely that the defense VIII
Ve able 10 secure any expert teSu-
~'Ay u support the insanity theory
Never in recent years has there been
case in the Walla Walla crlmlilai
''-f'S which has excited portion Il
s interest the Barnes case has 1his
Ang. long before court met 'iie
1'troom was filled with spectators
~~' Standing room was at high pre-
NUN all day. Not only is every per
VI Who is able to get in present a.
Ulal, but the case furnishes ti'e
topic for conversation on the
s and in the various resorts
Il ere men congregate. There are .
LOT heads who talk of wnat cai
@pected in case the defense makes
On its plea of insanity, but thess
0y far in the minority ana the
majority seem to be wiling =
@e law take it's course, allowing