The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1908-02-24

| hAAoISSA VI PAoEAAS IAoI kuC1C Wd
such feeling between Godetts ant
Williams as to have constituted fea
on the part of Godetts of being killee
by Williams is matter of conjecture
Should the evidence along that line
prove to be rather strong, it may
have a tendency to weaken the force
of the statement made by Godetts
but from present indications, there
is believed to be but one outcome O.
the Casa charge from Judge
Spooner for a verdict of either muir
der in the first degree or absolute
acquittal.
international Falls. Feb. a.
Especial to Daily Pioneer. 1.-THE
Godetts trial was resumed this
morning at 9 O'Clock from the
adjournment of Saturday forenoon,
at which time County Attorney c.
w. Stanton rested his case for the
state. There was the usual large
crowd in attendance, and there was
an air of expectancy evident all
over the court room.
The members of the jury did not
show any evidences of WEAKNESS be.
cause of their tiresome duties. They
had been given every opportunity
to enjoy the fine weather of Sunday,
Judge Spooner having instructed
the baliffs (when court adjourned
Saturday, to take the jurymen out,
give them plenty of opportunity to
enjoy the fine weather, but to let no
one converse with them relate to
the case on trial, and to allow them
to read no newspapers which con-
tanned accounts of the trial.
Godetts entered the court room
with head erect, his manner in every
way indicating confidence in the
favorable outcome of the case. He
was accompanied by his three chill.
dren, who have sat by his side in the
court room ever since the trial be.
gan. In fact, in view of the damaging
evidence which has been given by
the state, the nerve of Godetts is
remarkable.
c.. w. Scrutchin, the Bemidj:
colored attorney who is defending
Godetts, came in smiling as usual
and seemed we'll pleased with the
situation. ..., III.
County Attorney Stanton wore
his usual satisfied expression, anc
was evidently alert for every move
that would be made by the defense
When the court reconvened At
torney Scrutchin arose to make hi:
address to the jury in opening the
case of the defense. Much specula
ton has been INDUCED in as to wha
course the defense would pursue, anc
when Mr.. Scrutchin started to talk
every eye in the court room wa!
fixed on him.
Mr.. Scrutchin said:
May it please the court anc
gentlemen of the jury:
1t is always customary, in !:
lawsuit of this kind, when the stat.
has rested it's case, for the defens,
to briefly outline the facts upon
which it predicates it's defense:
l want to say to you, my friend
that the defense in this case will
not be a fanciful or strained defense
mot a defense of brain storm o.
temporary insanity; but we plan
our defense upon a higher law
law that God Almighty has installed
in the breast of every human
being, long before man made law
the law of self-preservation. AND
in urging that defense here today
this defendant does not come be
fore you as cringing sycophan
begging for mercy; but he come
clothed in the rights of an Ameri
can citizen; in an American cour
of justice; before an American jury
demanding at your hands absolut,
justice.
The details of that unfortunate
occurrence | shall not trespass upo1
your patience to 60 into, but tn
facts and circumstances that led vi
to that melancholy catastrophe