Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-01-05


The fate of George Meyers,
charged with the murder of Night
Patrolman Eckhart on October l, a
clse which has been vigorously and
ably prosecuted by District Attor
ney McNary and vigorously and ably
defended by Attorneys Carson, Rich
ardson and Darcy, and which has
been watched with. the keenest of
interest by the people of Salem, went
into the hands of the jury at late
hour this afternoon for determine
tion.
The defense concluded its evil
dence this forenoon and also part
of the argument was then finished
and the remainder was closed during
the afternoon when the case went
to the jury with Judge Burnett's in
structions as to the law. Ever since
the evidence was concluded much
speculation has been INDUCED in
with reference to the verdict.
Predictions have been made that
it will be guilty as charged; that it
will be manslaughter, and also ac-
quittal; but it is what the twelve
men in the jury box will think and
say with relation to the case which
will count, and their decision remains
to be seen and any predictions ex-
pressed as to what it will be are at
the best but the nearest kind of con-
lecture.
Then l Shot Him.
By God, you will go in" he said
ana then j saw him reach for his
nip pocket, and then shot him." de-
clared George Meyers this morning
on the witness stand when testifying
in his own behalf for the killing of
Night Patrolman Thomas Eckhart on
the morning of October /. Upon
taking the witness stand Meyers ex-
hibited considerable nervousness.
and his story came hesitatingly and
Drokenly, but when the cross-examin-
alton came he had secured control of
himself, and was ready for the rapid
fire questions OF District Attorney
McNary and met them without vary
ing from or causing a break to be
made in his direct evidence.
The statement came in response to
request of one of his counsel, At
torney Darcy. to relate TO the Jury
Juot "Aak u tANhhAllEN DGNWGtu he ana
the officer on the day of the tragedy.
and formed a part of this marathon.
HIS story commenced with the arest-
Ing of Meyers by Eckhart, and ex-
tended clear down to the time when
the fatal shot was fired. Meyers
was asleep in a large rocking chair
at the time In the room of his broth
er, and "the first l knew of the mat
ter was when ] was awakened by
EckhaTt," he testified. 81 do not re-
member just what was said" he
stated. 81 had been riding horsebac,
al day, was tired, been drinking some
and when / awoke was dazed." The
witness then related that in response
to the officer, after securing his slick
er, he went with him, and said, "as
went down the stairs / asked what
the charge was against me-" He
received. according TO his evidence
no satisfactory reply, and when they
reached the Yannke livery stable he
asked the officer If he had a warrant
for his Arrest. He replied, he testi-
fed, that he had no warrant, but said
God damn you, will take you any
how" and they resumed their jour
ney toward the city hall. Meyers tes-
titled that during this time the OFF,
Ger had him by the arm, and when
they reached the city hall door he
asked him 10 release his hold on his
arm, and he grabbed him by the
shoulder. When at the door OF the
jail 81 asked him to let me phone
Doc Gibson" said the witness. "but
he said no-and then jerked away
from him, and said would not go
in." The ofiiced's reply was. accord
ing TO the witness. "by God. you Will