The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1914-03-14

mttted that he was concerned in the
case. he declined to make any state
ment as to what evidence was In his
possession. I
Other detectives employed in the
case are also understood to have been
staying at tho hotel. ~
Cooper Makes Statement.
Harry Cooper of Hilisboro, who
was arrested late Friday afternoon at
HiiIsooro and Is free under q. bond OF
$4,000. made a statement today deny
ing any knowledge of bribery in con-
nectton with his sons trial.
II know nothing of any money be-
ing used illesally." said Mr.. Cooper.
and l do not believe that ANYTHING
OF the sort was done. OF course am
open to conviction in the matter, but
1t will take a good deal of. showing
to make me believe that bribery was
resorted to-
Mr.: Cooper also stated that his son
had been in Oregon for the last two
wears engaged in fruit farming. He
vas visiting relatives in Hood River
at the time hf-aa- arrested.
been retained as counsel byety
Bangs.
At the time Of the original trial of
Cooper, G. A. Bangs was special coun-
sci for tho state aiding in the prose-
cution OF Cooper.
r. b. Feetham Of this city has been
retained as counsel by Mr.. Cooper.
No Others Implicated.
No other members Of the law firm
OF which Tracy Bangs Is q member
are implicated in the alleged bribery.
states Attorney BuEtness said today
that he did not expect 10 make any
charges against, them.
c. A. Lyche Of Hatton, states attor-
ney Tor TraiA county. who prosecuted
the original charge against Cooper,
SAID today that he was not concerned
IN any way with the present case He
SAID that he was Of course interested
In the outcome. but was not actively
connected with the affair in any way.
History Of Cooper Case.
McLain Cooper shot James Frank
Ross. the foreman of his fathers
farm. The bullet entered Ross back,
ne having been shot from behind at a
distance of about ten feet. On the
night previous the men had fought.
Ross beating young Cooper quite se-
verely and Cooper had that morning
tried to get Ross OF the farm, using a
revolver to frighten Ross into leaving.
He had fired at least two shots before
death. eA 'A
Cooper Notifies Sheriff.
After the shooting Cooper went to
the so.called Sutton farm. several
miles distant, and notified the sheriff
Of Traill county. Shortly afterwards
he was arrested. Ross was removed to
Hiilsboro. and charge OF assault
with dangerous weapon was lodged
against Cooper. Under this charge he
was given freedom on a $4,000 bail.
From March IL to August 8, Ros,
was a patient in the Hillsboro hospi-
tai. dying on the latter date, Cooper
was again arrested, charged with
murder in the first degree, and wa.
held in Jail without bonds.
Change of Venue Taken.
At the opening Of the term Of the
district court Of Trail county, Coon.
er entered a plea Of not guilty. This
plea was accompanied with the filing
Of an affidavit Of prejudice against
Traill county and Judge Pollock. and
the case was transferred to- Grand
Forks county.
: =, Meysmbsr y g .. q. the work, Of secur,n.
sSefaEs concluded ssNDNi,absr 'ss. Or
the morning Of; Noxsinber a.. the f,rsl
Iaedsa eken. the fiMsas evidence
being tate6ltted December q, : argu-
ments commencing that day and con-
tinuing till TAsdAy morning, Deecm-
Der IL. Judge 1empleton charged the
jury that afternoon and from 4
o'clock Tuesday until 1880 O'Clock
Wednesday night deliberations of the
jury continued.
self-defense Pleaded
A plea Of self-defense, or justifiable
homicide, was 'interposed, it beina
contended that Cooper had shot Ross
because he was fearful that Ross was
about to kill him. The justifiable
homicide verdict was not given to the
jury for. consideration by Judge Tenn
pleton, only verdicts Of murder in the
first degree with hanging. murder in
(Continueti on PAGE 10Y