Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1911-10-20
The Wilson Murder Case.

Il : quit amus ing to see how
z'41u>'y tic Teas are combating
tin verdict q thc jury in the Wilson
nM1er case, claims that errors were
u... talt justified an acquitted not
.-.-ia-a.at 5, confession OF tine
.... aol leg allegation that he
e.-- u.u. pe.vcrt That had led -
.,..a',~.oo of Al after crime mere
'-s liam t'a first. but CON.
.a .el during 4 period q t"ta.
~ ."ration. Il is eyed with c,a>e-
jess roitcr1.ion that the public
ia.o universally regarded hin. IS il
noeont and strenuously predicted his
~cluiiial; and that even the State
.-i17 expectation Of 4 verdictof guilt
ia ~ degree OF Tie crime with which
De- vas Charged. 1t also makes a full!
column Of laGdation Of the spirit
which 1t says prompted az alleged
subscription Of $50 for an appeal TO
the Supreme Court, and makes the
specific allegation that "a prominent
business man" has promised to do
nate $3.50 to defray the expense Of
an appeal, providing public sub
scr.ption is taken up for that pur-
pose. Statement. is, however, want
ing in one important detail Tor be-
licf-the name Of this prominent
business man." IL is altogether too
important a matter to engage in
vague or uncertain statements. Who
the persons are that show so much
interest in 4 criminal convicted by
the deliberate act of a jury sworn to
act conscientiously should be con-
sidered by the larger jury-the pub
lic-especially as the Ticins have
become SO notorious for not only
errors of judgment but misstatements
of plain facts ir times past.
The STANDARD extends the ut
most leniency to those accused of
crime and the greatest charity in
passing upon its magnitude, but in
this instance, it has been noted and
was matter of general comment that
Wilson has been treated with ex.
ceptional favor. His trial has been
prolonged and evidence raked and
scraped to sustain every possible
shadow of innocence. His wife and
five children were paraded before the
jury during the trial, which was al
legged 10y many to be sympathy
dodge-not on part of or by conniv-
ance of the court, but apparently the
adroit management of the defense.
However that may be. it certainly is
unusual for fair and impartial ex-
ponent of popular opinion. after a
verdict has been rendered, to palli-
ate so grave crime by a declaration
that By the verdict, the wife, with
FIVE small children, are thus thrust
upon society,", but when seen later,
she said, she would do her best to
keep the wolf away, and find some
kind of work to earn a livelihood.
The jury considered the verdict
eighteen hours, and stood for con-
viction ofmurder in the 6rst degree,
and z against. The subsequent find
ing in the second degree was of
course unanimous. but a compromise
as to degree of criminality, sufficient
TO convict, but justifying a less pun
ishment from being circumstantial,
which is admitted by the bar to be
at times more reliable and command
ing than direct testimony. It is sin
cerely hoped that this maudlin SYM
pathy will not result in turning loose
even a moral pervert" upon the
community, who may be at times
irresponsible, in a criminal sense, for
his atrocious acts. If he is criminally
insane, he should be placed between
the four walls of an asylum for pro-
lection Of society and the welfare Of
the community.