The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1911-06-29
AZ Minute ACQUITTAL
Burleieh Binnine, a Former Grand
River Citizen, Acquitted of Mur-
der by q Wyomlne Jury.

Burlelgn Blnnlng, the youngest
son of H. Binning and wife of this
place, graduate of the class of '9S
of the Grand River High School, and
we'll and favorably known in this vi
cinity, was acquitted of the murder
of Joe Wilson at his (Binning's)
home near Cora, Wyoming, on the
night of April 29th, says the Grand
River Local. The trial was held at
Lander last week and the verdict
of mot guilty" brings great Joy to
his host of friends here. The fol-
lowing article appeared in the Lander
Journal last week:
The arguments of the attorneys in
the case of State VS.. Binning were
completed at IL O'Clock Saturday
night and seven minutes later the
jury brought in verdict of mot
guilty" Binning, who is of an emo
tioual nature, was almost overcome
with Joy over the verdict that re-
stored his good name and gave him
his liberty. While the verdict was
not unexpected, his many friends who
were here to attend the trial, were
also we'll pleased with the quick and
decisive action of the jury, which
was one of the most representative
that could be secured in the commun-
ity and one that would have surely
convicted had the evidence justified
such verdict.
While it is impossible to print all
of the testimony on account of it's
extreme length, a brief resume will
be of interest to many.
Burleigh Binning testified that he
returned home rather unexpectedly
on the night of April 29th, having
ridden by auto from Rock Springs,
and secured a horse at Pinedale to
complete the journey of about ten
miles to his home. AS he put up his
horse in his own stable he noticed a
strange horse tied there, and as he
passed the kitchen window on the
way to the door of his home, he heard
mans voice say, "I'd hate to have
Burl catch me now.' He went on
around to the north window where
he could get better view and saw
Joe Wilson lying on the lounge, while
his wife and Mrs. Towner who had
been ironing were preparing to re-
tire. He heard Mrs. Binning say,
"Joe Wilson, you go home, I have
had headache for two days and am
tired and want to 60 to bed.' She
started to pass Wilson on her way
to the bedroom and he stuck out his
feet and attempted to stop her, but
she continued on her way to the
bedroom, and in a few moments call
ed to Mrs. Towner to bring her a hot
IL
this, Wilson followed her but was
ordered out of the room. He re-
turned to the kitchen, turned down
the bracket lamp and locked the
door. When Mrs. Towner returned
to the room he grabbed and threw
her on the lounge. Binning saw them
through the window and testified
that he thought it was his wife strug-
Cling with Wilson, He ran to the
door, fired shot through the glass
and then forced the door open. A
struggle ensued, he fired the remain
ing six shots and then reloaded his
weapon. Wilson had retreated to
another room but found the door
locked and came back. He seized
stick of wood and Binning ordered
him to sit down on a chair, undecided
what to do. Wilson begged for his
life and offered to leave the country.
Finally Binning told Mrs. Towner TO
get Wilson's horse and the latter
mounted the animal and rode toward
the Smith ranch where he was en-
ployed.
Mrs. Binning and Mrs. Towner
corroborated Binning's story in all
the essential details.
A number of witnesses testified to
Wilson's character and to his habit
of carrying a gun.