The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1911-01-31

Kvalshaug jury, which has already
begun to turn toward the prose-
cutting attorney, will seem justi-
fled after the following statement
by Juror No. IL has been read.
L. H. Mills, who is now al
rancher near Puyallup, was for
ten years Methodist preacher in
Illinois, and left his profession be-
cause of a breakdown from over
work. The only reason Mills
qualified as a Juror was that his
eyes are so weak he had been un-
able to read the newspapers and
knew nothing of the case.
Following is Mills statement,
made exclusively to the Times:
Much criticism has been di-
rected at the Kvalshaug jury. III
the public knew the real facts
this criticism would cease. The
blame must be laid at the door of
the prosecuting attorney if al
guilty woman has gone free.
Reporter Not Believed.
No direct testimony incriminat-
ing Mrs. Kvalshaug was produced
save that of Ray FELTON,, reporter
for the Ledger. If Ray FELTON,
could have been believed at least
nine of the jury would have
brought a verdict of guilty. When
Mr.. FELTON, took the oath he prom
ised to tell the whole truth-that
is, not Intentionally hold back any
material part. Yet, all the while
that he was swearing to tell the
whole truth he was deliberately
intending to withhold that part
relating to Mrs. Kvalshaug
screaming when the shots wereI
fired. This was brought to the
surface on cross-examination and,
moreover, Mr.. FELTON, acknowl-
edged that he withheld this tes-
timony at the request of the states
attorney.
"A witness that will intention
ally and deliberately hold back a
material part of his story is just
as guilty of violating his oath asI
though he falsified in any other
particular.
"On this ground Mr.. Felton's
testimony was not given anyl
weight. And there was then moth
ing left but to bring in a verdict
of not guilt.
1.-The query arose, what kind ofl
a moral standard must the prose-
cutting attorney have who would
thus tamper with a witness.
Knew Nothing of "BOnus."
Il never heard of that bonus"
that was given Mrs. Kvalshaugl
until / read of it in the papers.
No mention whatever was made
of 1t in the jury room. 1t was un-
fair and unjust to the rest of the
jury for the individuals who made
up this purse to state that it came II
from the Jurors. There were two
college men on the jury. and, as al
whole, / know they are as intel
ligent as the average men you
meet"
Except for a few hours taken
for eating and sleeping, the jury
deliberated carefully all the time.
Every man had his say, and wei
took five ballots all together. II
was teller of the ballots, and so II
remember just how they all stood.
Fears Woman Is Guilty.
Since the trial have heard a.
GOOD zeal ABOUT the former tWol
trials, of which l had heard moth
ing before, and am beginning to,
fear that we freed guilty woman.
My conscience is free, however,
for under the evidence as it was
given to us we could not possibly
have found her guilty. l voted
not guilty from the first, and II
wonder why the prosecuting attor-
ney did not introduce the confess
sion which / understand the wom-
an made.
Much has been said since the
trial concerning Blase and Mont
gomery, the two Sandberg menl
who were on the jury. / will sayl
that Montgomery nominated Blase
as foreman, and that / warned the
rest Of the jurors that It would
put us in bad light to have al
saloon man as our spokesman.
However, they elected him.