Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-10-31
TWO ARGUMENTS REMAIN
ATTORNEY CHARLETON FOR DE-
TENSE AND PROSECUTION
MALLOY TO CLOSE CASE.
ATTORNEY TALKED 5 HOURS
Deputy County Attorney Grassland
Made His Argument at Special
Session Last Night.

Today will be the last day of tho
Reuter- murder trial. This was de-
termined yesterday when all but two
of the closing arguments of attorneys
in the case We're completed. Attorney
Ben Thompson, for the defense oc-
cupicd all of the day session and last
night Assistant County Attorney Ed
Grassland spoke for the state. Ho
hours, dwelling mostly upon the testi-
mony that had been presented.
This morning at o'clock Attorney
j. II. Charlton, of Bartlesville, who
has been representing Guy Mackenzie
and Joe Baker ever since their arrest,
and who is recognized as one of the
most fluent court room speakers In
the southwest, will begin the closiD &
argument for the defense. 1t Is not
likely that he will talk more than
three hours and. according to his own
statement. he may finish by IL o'clock
this morning, In which event he will
be followed Immediately by States At
torney Pat Malloy, who Is to have tho
last say before the jury.
There seems to be nothing in the
read Of the case being presented to
the jury by o'clock this afternoon
and there may be verdict tonight
some time.
The longest speech ever made in a
Tulsa county court room was deliver
ed yesterday by Attorney Ben Thomp-
son for the defense.
Thompson began his argument be-
fore the jury at o'clock Tuesday
afternoon. He talked until O'Clock,
when court adjourned until the next
day. Thompson resumed speaking at
o'clock yesterday morning and con-
tinued until o'clock in the afternoon
with an hours rest at noon. The total
time he actually consumed in talking
before the jury was eight hours
Owing to Thompsons long speech,
judge Breckenridge held a session OF
court last night, at which time fur
ther arguments were presented.
Thrilling scenes were enacted In the
court room yesterday. Attracted by the
fact that lawyers of statewide repu-
tation were to speak at the close OF
one of the states most noted murder
trials, an immense crowd Of people
gathered at the court house before the
opening hour OF court yesterday morn
Ing A heavy downpour of rain did
not keep the people away A large
number of them brought lunches with
them and remained during the dinner
hour. Scores of chairs were placed
in every available space. and 200 per-
sons sat almost at the elbow of Judge
Breckenridge, and directly in front of
the jury.
The day was dismal on account Of
tao murky sky. Rain splashed against
ths many windows of the big court
room, and all of the electric lights
were burning throughout the day.
Attorney Thompson combatted with
the elements as he sought to tell the
jury that Joe Baker did not fire the
shot that ended the life of Charles 7.
Reuter-, and that Guy d. Mackenzie
was not a party to the conspiracy that
took the life OF the Tulsa attorney
Thompson Is dramatic speaker,
with an unusually strong and pene-
trating voice. but at times yesterday
the peals of thunder on the outside
would drown his words and he would
lean over into the jury box so that
the jurors could hear him. Occasion
ally flash Of ughtning would crash
IN the heavens and as the reflection
of the binding bolt would shoot into
the court room women spectators
would involuntarily shudder.
Attorney Thompson analyzed the
evidence in the case in a deliberate
manner. He devoted much of his time
with a TRADE against Prosecuting At
torney Malloy and other county Off
cials and bitterly ridiculed most OF
tho states witnesses, the majority Of
whom he declared were perjurers and
were forced to testify TO falsehoods
to keep out Of Jail themselves.
A lively tilt occurred Just before
noon when in tones OF anger Thomp-
son insinuated that County Attorney
Malloy and Sheriff Mccullough had
caused the arrest of the defedants in
the case for the purpose Of obtaining
something on which they could make
a sufficient showing to enable them
to be reelected to the offices they
now hold.
No sooner were the words out of the
attorneys mouth than County Attor-
ney Malloy jumped to his feet and
demanded protection from the court