The Washington herald., 1911-09-09

2
tr1e verdict The trial. II Is true, be-
gan shortly after the murder, and there
are those who might think that to try
this man while the public mind was
still infiamed over the shocking tragedy
was to do him an injustice.
In the final instructions to the jury
the Judge gave Beattie the benefit Of
the doubt And there was not ruling
during the trial that did not indicate
his determination to see that Beatue
had his chance ST..
J. Wilmer Latiner was Of the opinion
that most of the sensationalism in the
case came from the efforts Of the news
papers. to get good stories" and stated
il as his belief that the case itself was
probably the replica Of any murder case.
II do not think" he continued, that
there was q miscarriage Of Justice. From
what 1 read of the case there appears
to have been a sufficiently strong circum-
stantial case against young Beatue 10
destroy a reasonable doubt in the minds
Of the jury"
Most scathing OF all IN his comment on
the case was Henry w. Blair, foremost
of the members Of the bar in Washing
ton. who asserted the trial was more Of
a prize fight than a trial in court OF
law
irrespective Of the questions Of inno-
cence or guilt of this man." said Mr..
Blair, 'ft is regrettable that the SEN
sationalism attending the murder should
have come so closely TO the trial Itself.
Lawyers OverShadOw Case.
The trial, to my mind. did not repre-
sent an honest effort to establish the
innocence or guilt Of the defendant, but
resolved itself into a battle Of wits In
which the rivalry OF two lawyers caused
them to attempt unnecessary display.
1T was more a contest-more like
prize fght-than It was like a trial in
court Of Law. Upder the circumstances
cannot help but feel that the verdict
as obtained cannot do other than hurt
instead OF help the cause OF Justice
Rev. A. J. Tyler Joined with Mr.. Blair
in his condemnation Of the trial
TT is beyond reason. he stated that
a man should take his wife TO public
road and kill her. II is an extravaganza
that should have impressed the Jury from
the very first, in view Of the conflicting
story that Beattie told Of an unknown
man who shot his wife.
The public was not in its sober senses
when this trial was held. 1t was in
famed. Mortified, and demanding that
murderer be punished. I believe that
another trial. held months from now.
| when the present sentiment shall have
died out, would be the only fair way OF
determining the guilt or innocence OF
Henry Clay Beattie."
Says Mistake Was Made.
This view was shared by Rev. NJ. F.
Yingling. who stated that the convic-
ton OF Beattie on such slender circum-
stantial evidence established a danger
Gus precedent.
1T is clearly a mistake said he. ito
have brought Beattie to trial long before
popular prejudice-the unknowing preju-
dice Of men who demand a victim for
every murder-had been Quieted. Who
really doubts in his heart that the jury
that convicted Beattie had not decided
before they entered the box that unless
he could show clearly his innocence he
| would be convictsd?''
"A tremendous influence for righteous
ness was the way Rev. Earle Wiley
accepted the verdict. The entire case
would have its good effect, it teaching
the public that a man cannot transgress
without receiving quick punishment at
| the hands OF the law he said.
II felt from the beginning of the trial. -
said Rev. Mr.. Whitley. that this man
was guilty. My conviction was not
| shaken when the trial began. The whole
| crime is a psychological study-a study
OF heart and mind-and the qualities that
would lead a man to commit such an act
as this. I believe that in this case the
one thing has been done that should have
been done, and the conviction will have
a TREMENDOUS influence for righteous
ness