The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-11-06
ROLAND MURDER
TRIAL PROGRESSES
Opening Statements Made In the Dis.
trIct Court This Morning by
Attorneys Engaged in
Murder Trial.
MAY END THIS WEEK
County Attorney Craig, Deputy coun.
ty Attorney Weber and Assistant
Attorney McManus for
the State.

opening statements In the Roland
murder case were made in the district
court before Judge w. S. Hamilton
and a jury of twelve men this after
noon. Attorneys in the case are of
the opinion that it may be possible to
conclude the cease this week. The
state has about fifteen witnesses and
the defense a fewer number. The
I state is represented by County At
torney T. A. Craig. Deputy E, C. Web
er of Fort Madison and Assistant E.
w. McManus. Attorney John e.
Craig represents the accused muir
derer and will build his defense
around the testimony of French Rol
and, brother of the slayer. The jury
was called into the box promptly at
the hour set for court to convene, but
| a delay was occasioned by the absence
| of one Of the Jurors and it was neces-
sary to send out for him.
John Roland, charged with the MUIR
der Of Mrs Lily Jones, white wom-
an, is small in stature. He is not
more than five feet, six inches in
height. His face is full, but with
sharp features. His former home was
Burlington.
Before beginning his opening state
Ements, Attorney Craig asked for the
rule on the witnesses. Those present
were sworn and retired The indict-
ment, charging Roland with murder
in the first degree, was then'sTead to
the jury.
County Attorney Craig began his
opening statement at 2:15, but was
interrupted almost Immediately when
the state asked court to enforce the
rule on Mrs. Roland, one of the leading
witnesses for the defense, who came
in and took her seat by her son.
The county attorney stated that
Lily Jones was one of those unfor-
tunate creatures who was to be pitied
rather than blamed. She had been
living with John Roland for some
time previous to the killing. The same
AFTERNOON before the killing, according
Ito Attorney Craig's statement, Mrs.
Jones went to the home of Mrs. Gross
and had her wounds on her head dress
ed, the wounds being said to have
been inflicted by Roland.
| In the evening Lily Jones was
still at the Gross home. About
eight o'clock in the evening, Mrs.
Gross was in the front room.
Mrs. Jones was in the middle
room. About this time Ed Hill
yer came in answer to a, summons
from Mrs. Jones. The evidence will
show that Roland came to the house
and entered by the rear door Roland
came into the room and into the front
room where Mrs. Gross was. After
striking Mrs. Gross down, Roland and
Mrs. Jones went out into the yard.
| Roland insisted that the woman go
home with him Following Lily
Jones' refusal to go home, Roland
opened fire, the shots being witness
ed by passerby. Not satisfied with
his killing, Roland returned to where
the woman was lying and deliberately
fired two more shots into her body.
| He then went into the house and shot
himself, inflicting only a slight
wound that did not prove serious.
Attorney Craig did not attempt to
cover every detail OF the killing and
occupied only fifteen minutes. He
concluded by telling of the death OF
Lily Jones, who died nine days later
from six bullet wounds. He did not
try to uphold the character of the wo-
man, but said she was entitled to live
just the same as a person more vir-
tuous.
Attorney John E. Craig, appointed
by court to defend Roland, in his
opening statement, dwelt upon the
Importance of the case and the crime