Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-06-17
OINGS IN CIRCUIT COURT
Criminal Calendar Occupies Consider
able Time-O'3rien to be Tried Again

The tribunal of justice for Vernon
county has been grinding out the grist
rather slowly since the converting Ofcourt
on Tuesday of last week. The criminal
calendar has occupied considerable of
the time on two important cases. The
case of DIR. 0'Brien, charged with
manslaughter in the second degree, was
stunbornly fought by the state on the
part of District Attorney Bennett, as
sisted by C. w. Graves. The defendant
was represented by c. L. Hood of La
Crosse and Mr.. Bassett IF Minnesota.
that on or about the 18th day of De-
cember, 1907, the defendant O'Brien,
to induce an abortion on the person of
one Anna Olson, used certain instru-
mental means resulting in the death of
Anna Olson a few days later at the
Hotel Fortney in this city. The de-
PENDANT claimed an abb as defense,
that is, that he was elsewhere" and
endeavored to prove that he was drunk
in saloon about block from his Office
at the time the state claimed he was
present and performing the criminal
operation. The defendant further
claimed that he was periodical drunk
ard and that for some days before and
after the alleged offense was intoxi-
Gated. There was positive evidence on
the part of the physician as to the cause
of death and the dead girls dying
declaration that DR.. 0'Brien used an
instrument upon her was belived H.
many persons attendant upon the trial.
1t is said that only two of the jurors at
first favored ac0uittal, while at the end
of their deliberation only two favored
conviction. The case was adjourned
by Judge .ruit until December and
will then be tried again, the jury having
disagreed. District Attorney Benefits
closing argument for the state was an
able and vigorous effort
In the case of the state against
Straight and Shear the jury returned a
general verdict of guilty against both
defendants on the main charge, robbery.
1t appeared that on the day in question
the defendants left Hillsboro ITO get
even with Mokol and little more than
even;" drove to Trippville; were with
out money; asked to borrow money on
the way. Arriving at the store OF Mr..
Mokol they precipitated row without
provocation, evidently intending TO pro-
woke Mokol into a quarrel. that defend
ant Shear first struck Mokol in the
store, that then Molol and Shear
clinched and while down defendant
Straight struck Mokol on the side of
the head and defendant Shear struck
him in the eye. The parties got up and
as Mrs. Mokol had ran out for "help"
Mokol went out to get his wife in and
was again attacked by defendant Shear.
Than they got down and tussled around
in the snow and while MokOls head
was being held down by Shear either
Shear or Straight took Mokol's pocket
book and money from his pocket.
News was Immediately telephoned about
the country and Fred Burris, a Justice
of the peace and splendid citizen, was
notified. A little latter one of the de-
PENDANTS came TO his house and Burris
and his family observed that Shear had
money from which he made two diff
ferent payments to Burris. 81
Other cases that have been disposed
of up to the time the CENSOR goes to
press are as follows:
State of Wisconsin vs. CLAUS Stalsberg. Seduc-
ton. Continued by consent.
State Of Wisconsin Va, julie Reyes. Larceny.
Nolle
State Of Wisconsin vs. Charles Byers. Sr. As
sault. DEPENDENT pleads guilty. Fine and costs
amount TO Sf6.
State Of Wisconsin VS.. Nettie Alexander Adult
terry. Continued by consent.
Rena b. Brown VS.. b. f. Poorman Settled.
Pontiac Buggy Co. vs.. C. f. Rose. Judgment
for plaintiff.
George l.. Mesker vs. c. F. Rose. Dismissed.
Halle Lull vs. Jesse Lull. Divorce granted
Frank stsngs, sr., Henrietta STANCE Di-
vorce granted.