The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1909-06-12
CONVICTED or MANsLAUGHTsR. NE
GETS FROM4 TO is YEARS
OTHER MURDER CASES PUT OVER
Man Convicted Of Robbery Sent to
ionia-few Civil Cases We're
Tried

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dinary session but the putting over the
term of two of the murder cases reduc-
ed the interest in the proceedings
greatly.
The two saloon cases were quickly
settled. both respondents pleading
guilty and being fined $35 and costs.
The RaJala case was put on trial and
IL occupied two days of the tern and
was closely followed by all court at
tendants.
Oscar Larson appeared for the de-
fense while Chas H. Watson. prosecut-
ing attorney, represented the people.
The case had proceeded hut a very
short way when two things became
very apparent; one. that the prisoner
was defended by as able counsel as
could be had in these parts and the
other that Mr.. Watson had made a
very careful and complete preparation
for this trial.
IL was thought that much time
would be wasted in securing a jury
but here again was a disappointment
for the original twelve men, with one
exception. were accepted by both sides,
thus allowing the jury TO be sworn
within about minutes Of the open
ing OF the.trial.
The testimony for the people showed
about the same state OF facts that were
given out at the time Of the murder.
The questioning of the defense showed
that their effort was centered on re-
ducing the finding from that of muir
der 10 manslaughter Mr.. Watson stood
resolutey by his guns and fought for
murder, although the appearance of the
prisoner his boyish face and innocent
ways, were enough to unnerve any less
resolute effort.
The testimony for the people was
completed Tuesday forenoon and Rajala
himself was put on the stand in his
own behalf. He told a story that de-
Waited only in minor details from tnat
OF the prOsecution's witnesses but he
insisted that he was struck viscious
tlow on the head which dazed him and
that added to the liquor he had drunk.
made him unconscious of his acts so
that IL was not until the following day
that he realized what he had done.
The defense swore several witnesses
10 testify as TO the character Of Rajala
previous TO the shooting affair and it
appeared certain that the fellows con-
duct had been excellent
The address to the jury by the conn
sol on both sides was spirited, espec-
tally that OF Mr.. Larson who put the
blood of the murdered man and the
Imprisonment of Rajala on the people
Of Crystal Falls who allowed the laws
TO be so laxly enforced that the saloons
remained open all night.
The judges charge followed and then
the jury retired and was out but a
short time when verdict OF man.
slaughter was returned.
The murder cnarge against the Po
lock from Palatka was reduced. on ap-
plication OF the prosecuting attorney, to
assault with intent to do great bodily
harm and the fellow was let on bail.
Rajala was brought in for sentence
on Wednesday morning and in passing
sentence Judge Stone took occasion TO
sharply criticise the city officials, es-
pecially the mayor. The Judge said
that In his experience with crime he
found that almost all OF them commit
ted In saloons were committed after
closing hours He then reviewed the
cond itions existing in this city at the
time the crime was committed and
said that he understood that the liquor
dealers were made obey the law until
very recently when n new order went
into effect allowing saloons 10 remain
open until IL o'clock and TO open be-
tween the hours Of TO p. m. ON
Sundays. He added that he was infor-
med that this order came from the
mayor and that he should report this
10 the Governor.
Later on Judge Stone referred TO the
matter again and stated that he found
that he did the mayor an injustice as
he had learned that no such permission
was given the saloon keepers and he
wished to right any wrong that he had
done anyone.
He then passed sentence giving the
convicted man from 10 10 years In
Marquette prison but recommended 8
years a. a minimum.