The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-10-28
In Closing Argument He Asserts
That Prosecution Has Fail
ed to Show Motive
STANNARD CASE TO THE JURY
Attorney w. A. Burritt Makes the
Closing Argument for People
This Afternoon.

Ontonagon, Mich, oct. 2S-Spurred
on by the realization that after he con-
cluded his argument, the case Of his
client would be out of his hands, At
torney p. II. O'Brien. senior counsel
for the defense. this morning made an
earnest and magnificent plea for the
freedom of Mrs Laura Stannard.
charged with murder.
Mr.. O'Brien drove home the
doctrines of reasonable doubt and
the presumption Of innocence.
Mr.. O'Brien made forceful
exposition Of the fact that the prose-
cution had shown no motive for mur-
der. His argument was a masterpiece
Of simplicity.
The court room was crowded. even
more so than on the previous days OF
the trial But awed by the knowledge
that the climax in the trial which has
occupied the attention of the court
for two weeks had been reached every
one present listened intently 90 the
lawyers appeal, couched in beautiful
language and delivered in a low and
even voice.
Although once or twice the woman
on trial seemed on the verge OF break
ing down, she made a magnificent 'ef-
fort at self-control.
Pathetic Word Picture.
The closing period or MIR.
O'Brien's argument was devoted TO
painting a pathetic word picture of
the fate Of the Stannard children
If they are deprived of a mothers
care.
Mr. O'Brien entered upon this
subject with simple earnestness.
Old and calloused lawyers. who
have seen juries swayed before,
farmers who probably have not
shed a tear since babyhood; and
women in the court room out of
curiosity-all fell under the spell Of
Mr.. O'Brien's eloquence. and the
picture he painted was too much
for their feelings.
All over the court room people
burst into tears. Some of the jurors
also paid O'Briens eloquence this
tribute
It was a magnificent example OF
forensic eloquence.
To Jury at Six O'clock.
Attorney O'Brien's argument was
closed at noon and when the hearing
was resumed at the afternoon session,
/ Attorney W. A. Burritt closed for the
prosecution. II is expected that ms
argument will continue until about
| five o'clock, after which Judge Flanni-
gan will give his charge to the jury,
which is not expected to prove lengthy.
II seems certain this afternoon. that
the case will be in the hands of the
! jury by o'clock, possibly before that
| time.
II is understood that Rudolph Stindt
OF Topaz, a well educated German
| farmer. has been selected as foreman
of the jury, although this has not
been announced from the bench.
There was considerable speculation
today as to the length of time that
would be required for the jury to reach
a verdict. various views being express
ed.
Three arguments for the defense
were heard yesterday afternoon At
|
Dire talking in the order named.
Browns Plea Eloquent.
Attornew Brown, a young Ontona-
gon attorney and a former Houghton
boy. electrified the audience with a
touching discussion Of the psychology
Of child's mind, calling attention to
the happy relations existing between
Mrs. Stannard and her children and
contending that the children know
their mother is innocent and are there
fore sticking to her i'm a manner that
has been the wonder OF the trial. Mr.
Browns address was an eloquent one,
and seemed TO have considerable effect
on the jurors
The argument Of Attorney O'Connor
was confined almost entirely TO an un-
impassioned review Of the alleged in
consistencies In the testimony Of vari-
Gus witnesses I'm which he made somt
telling points.
Attorney LeGondre followed with a
passionate appeal and also pointed out
discrepancies in the fabric Of testi.
mony produced by the prosecution. His
argument was considered a very strong
one.
Spirit Of Husband Near.
In an interview yesterday afternoon
Mrs Stannard said:
, Il have hundreds Of names Of very
dear friends. Of strangers, great
, many. and all consoling friends that
visited me at the JAIL which I shall
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