The Calumet news., 1914-02-14
STRONG CLOSING
ARGUMENTS IN
CIRCUIT COURT
Attorney Watson for Defense in
SeeberviIIe Murder Trial Makes
an Eloquent Plea
CASE Will GO TO JURY TODAY
Judge FIannlgan to Make Charge
to Jurors This Afternoon
CASE WILL GO TO JURY TODAY

Charles II. Watson of Crystal Falls.
associate counsel with W. J. Galbraith
of Calumet in the defense of the five
deputies charged with the murder Of
Steve Putrich a striker. at Seoberville,
August II, occupied the entire morning
session in the circuit court with his
closing argument on behalf of the re-
srondcnts.
Mr.. Watson made a thoughtful and
clear cut analysis of the evidence,
which had been reviewed i'm detail on
the previous day by his associate. His
address was forceful and eloquent and
was listened to with close attention
by the twelve iurymen as well as by
the large audience.
The attorney for the defense frs,
asked the jury TO attend to his review
of the connection of John Stimac with
the case. John StrmaCh, lie said,
took so prominent a part in the
tragedy that he nigh. almost be said
to occupy the position Of leading man
in the dramat!s personae. lie went
through the entire series of transac-
lions, was present at the first instant
and was the last to leave the story
John Stimac has been placed by
the prosecution in modest position.
He has been described as the fright
ened, timid fellow. Put his conduct
has been far different. At Quick's post
was he the frightened fellow there? He
said Quick threatened to lkill him
and Kolan if they went by. But they
went by. They say about five min
utes elapsed I'm this quarrel with Quick
yet Stimac says he WAS there quietly
and modestly and did not take part
He SAYS that he and Kollan did not
even turn around, But you will recall
the testimony Of the boy, Anton Bcis-
winger, who saw them turn around
and shake their fists at Quick.
Under the showing made by Quick.
YOU must decide ON the probable aC-
ton of men who had drunk more beer
than was good for any man to drink on
an empty stomach. II would be natur
al for men i'm that condition to make
the threat witnessed ov the boy"
Mr.. Watson argued that at the Pu.
trich house there were two complete"
transactions, one on the west side of
the house, where the attempt To arrest
Kcllan was made, and one on the east
side. where the assault on Cooper lead
TO the tragedy. He argued that the five
men. having gone to the house in tho
belief that they had the right To make
an arrest. naturally would be i'm
different frame of mind than if they
had gone there to attack the house for
private reasons and he asked the jury
to give due consideration to this nat
ural attitude.
After the completion of the first
transaction, when one Of the party
said come on, boys, let's get search
warrant" Mr.. Watson argued the first
transaction had been completed. The
men made a complete withdrawal.
That is the testimony of Defendant
James" he said, "and the prosecution
laid great stress on its truth"
Returning to the consideration Of
John Stimac's testimony, Mr.. Watson
recalled that Stimac had gone up
stairs when the trouble was NJ its
height. after he had been wounded.
He had gone through the rooms and
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