The Detroit times., 1911-05-12
WOOOsMAN |ETz
THUNOERS APPEAL
FOR ACQUITTAL
Defender Of Cameron DAM" in Role
Of Attorney, Delivers Impassioned
Argument for His Family and
Himself.
Unique Picture Portrayed as He
Stumbles on Many Technicalities
of the Law.

HAYWARD. Wis, May l2.-In an
impassioned address. rambling ana
reminiscent Al times, John Dietz. De
fender OF Cameron dam today, plead
ed with the jury for the lives OF MS
wife, his son Leslie and himself.
There can be no higher duty rest
ing on father" he shouted, than
In the protection OF his family and
home"
II was a unique sight presented In
the little country courthouse, that OF
Dietz defending himself.
The arguments in the closing hours
OF the celebrated case were opened
by Samuel w. Williams. district at
torney, after Judge Reid had oyerrul-
ed Dietz's petition TO permit the de-
tense the final speech. Under the
law the states attorneys make the
opening and closing speech. Dietz
then announced that he would con-
sumo the entire three hours granted
4, the defense.
Williams speech was purely tech
nical review of the evidence, declar-
ing the Dietz family conspired TO defy
the law and that Deputy Sherin Harp
was killed as a result OF this con-
spiracy.
williams was followed by Dietz.
Immediately after his declaration that
II was his duty TO defend his family,
the giant backwoodsman launched In
to q TRADE against the lumber trust,
In particular and all his enemies In
general. He had spoken but few
minutes when Judge Reid was COM
PEELED TO halt him and warn him TO
confine himself to the evidence.
This trouble all began in 1904.
said Dietz, during the famous cleo
ton riots, when Sheriff Giblin appeal
ed to me TO prevent any bloodshed-
Again Dietz was warned TO stick TO
the case.
The prisoner picked up several pho
tographs OF the barn on his farm and
pointed to the ''portholes" through
which the state charges Dietz fired
the shot which killed Harp.
ssThose holes originally were made
by bullets fired by the deputies" said
Dietz, "and later enlarged by the band
of men"
The he suddenly veered his argu-
ment and shouted:
1T is my honest belief that Oscar
Harp was killed accidentally. No dep
uty would come on the stand and ad-
init that he killed Harp but deputies
have admitted that they fired In his
direction"
Declaring at the top OF his voice
that the greater number OF the states
witnesses had perjured themselves,
Dietz began to analyze the testimony
OF the states witnesses.
THE farther OF the witnesses came
the harder they testified" he shouted.
Al this time Dietz turned toward
the court and began rambling about
q change Of venue.
al wish to call the courts atten-
tion to the question Of the change OF
venue" he said. This Is In connec'
tion with the visit Of Col. Munson
and Acknowledgement Gilbert to my
home" then, turning to the jury he
continued.
colbert and Munson came In and
nromised me a change OF venue and
10 ouash all charges against me. Is
n within the power OF the attorney
general to overthrow the constitution!
The constitution says that change
of venue can only be obtained by nj
ing afidavits OF prejudice. They knew
thev we're living to me and that Is
what everyone has done since this
trouble began.
"There has never been an officer OF
the law who asked us to surrender
We have never had an opportunity TO
resist officers OF the law.The state has
introduced lot of blackmail evidence
AGAINST us and you have seen that l
am not permitted to refute this evil
dence. why didn't Van Alystyne. who
had been a good friend Of mine. walk
into the clearing that morning ana
. command US to surrender. Instead. ne
hid behind stumps and tried to shoot
-. aown with the other thugs who
Ma onr home surrounded"