The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-05-13
WO0DsMAN DIETz
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 and
reminiscent at times, John Dietz. de
fender OF Cameron DAM" today, plead
ed with the jury for the lives OF his
wife. his son Leslie and himself.
There can be no higher duty rest
ing on a father" he shouted, than
In the protection Of his family and
home"
IL was a unique sight presented In
the little country courthouse, that Oh
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 overrul-
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
the defense.
Williams speech was purely tech
meal review OF the evidence, declar-
ing the Dietz family conspired to defy
the law and that Deputy Sheriff Harp
was killed as a result OF this con-
spiracy.
williams was followed by Dietz.
Immediately after his declaration that
IL was his duty to defend his family.
the giant backwoodsman launched In
to a 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.
Those holes originally were made
by bullets fred 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 adj
NIT that he killed Harp but deputies
have, admitted that they fred In his
direction" y rr
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 off the witnesses came
the harder they testified" he shouted.
At this time Dietz turned toward
the court and began rambling about
q change OF venue.
81 wish to call the courts atten-
ton to the question Of the change or
venue" he said. "This Is In connec.
ton with the visit of Col. Munson
and Attorney General Gilbert to my
home" then, turning to the jury ne
continued.
colbert and Munson came In and
promised me a change OF venue and
TO uuash all charges against me. Is
II within the power OF the attorney
general to overthrow the constitution!
The constitution says that a change
If venue can only be obtained by nj
ing affidavits of prejudice. They knew
they were lying to me and that Is
what everyone has done since this
trouble began.
There has never been an ofhcer OF
the law who asked us to surrender.
We have never had an, opportunity 10
resist officers OF the law.The state has
introduced a lot Of blackmail evidence
against us and you have seen that
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 and
command us to surrender. Instead. he
hid behind stumps and tried to shoot
n. down. with the other thugs who
had our home surrounded"