The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-01-07
COURT REDUCES THE GovARE
CHARGE TO MANSLAUGHTER


no malice in Mrs. Govares heart the
night OF the tragedy: that the occur
renee was simply an accident.
Former Prosecutor Stone will close
for the prosecution, and the case will
&C TO the jury early i'm the afternoon,
When the prosecution finally rested,
Friday afternoon. Attorney Silas b.
Spier. for the defense, moved that
the court direct the jury 10 return a
verdict OF not guilty, intimating that
the prosecution had failed TO make
out case against Mrs. Govare,
Judge Mckay denied the motion.
The defense then proceeded 10 pre-
sent its testimony.
August Govare, husband OF the &C.
cused. the last witness called by the
prosecution, said, under cross-exam-
ination, that he had never told his
wife TO shoot any officer who might
visit the farm.
The prosecution wanted TO close It's
case without calling Govare, but At.
torney Spier insisted that he be
brought TO the stand. so that he might
be asked about the alleged instruc-
ton OF his wife to shoot police callers
at the farm. Mr.. Spier told the news
paper men at the trial that the prose
cution had been intimating that
Govare had so instructed his wife.
Goyare said, In the course OF his
examination. that he brought his fam
lily from Belgium to America about
nine years ago settling in Walalceburg,
Ont, where he engaged In the sugar
beet industry. Later he removed TO
Illinois. and, about five years ago,
went TO Macomb county.
The only witnesses called by the
defense were sons OF Mrs. Govare and
neighbors to testify in regard to the
character and reputation of the ac-
cused. The boys said that their
mother was kind to them and was
OF a peaceful disposition. The neigh
bors also stated that Mrs. Govare en-
joyed good reputation in the COM
munity in which she lived Paul
Lefevre, Belgian, who was treasurer
Of Macomb county for a number OF
years, said Mrs. Govare was 'regu-
lar slave to work." that she plodded
In the sugar beet fields on her hus-
bands farm with all the strength OF a
man.
The sons who testified were julius,
Alphonse and Archiel The neighbor
witnesses were Mrs. Octavia Duynsleg.
err Mrs. Pelagie Van Est, Mrs. Vic
toria Wolgeave, Jerry Vandevinnie
and Thompson Vanester
In the cross-examination of Paul
Lafevre, Prosecutor Stone essayed to
ask questions regarding the personal
ity OF Sheriff Matthews. Attorney
Spier protested, claiming that the
prosecution had no right TO seek
such information from a witness for
the defense, and insisted that the
only purpose the prosecution had in
adopting the course. was to play on
the sympathies Of the jury.
Judge Mckay overruled the protest
and Mr.. Lafevre was allowed 10 go on
and extol the virtues OF the sheriff.
The defense refrained from calling
cution had read her official statement
Of the tragedy to the jury.
In the court room, at the close OF
the testimony, IL was generally pre-.
dicted by those who had followed the
case closely that Mrs. Govare would
be acquitted, and that the case against
Benny, also charged with murder in
connection with the death Of Sheriff
Matthews. inasmuch as he told the
authorities that he discharged the gun
at the instance Of his mother, who
said she believed the sheriff a burg.
lar, would be dropped.