The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1915-12-31
Judge Refuses to Grant New
Trial In the Case
from MONDAYS DaIIy

Judge J. II. Quinn OF Fairmont has
denied a motion for n new trial i'm the
| case Of Ralph Macbeth. who was re-
Gently convicted in the district court
here. and sentenced to the reforma-
tory.
Judge Quinn said: Not having
heard counsel upon such motion, and
having considered all the matters re-
ferred to in such motion. and feeling
satisfied that the defendant has had
fair trial, and that new trial
herein should be denied il Is ordered
that the motion of the defendant
, herein for a new. trial be, and the
same is IN all things denied and re-
fused"
Macbeth made an appeal to Judge
Quinn in his own behalf. His letter
follows:
Letter Sent Judge Quinn.
"MankatO. Mimi. December "a, 1915.
Hon. J. Quinn, Fairmont, MINI. Re
spected Sir: | wish to appeal to you
Mr.. Quinn once more for that which
is very dear to all OF us. That is nv
Liberty have already suffered much.
My happiness has been jeopardized
and the stigma of disgrace has buried
its fangs deeply not only upon me but
my dear folks and friends as well.
1T is useless of me to go on and ex-
plain the details of my case at this
time but I am sure II you understood
, my case exactly as the circumstances
are you would see beyond doubt that
| am wrongly accused, and as as in
nocent and that | am only the victim
OF prejudiced people and frame
up by people who offered to tell the
truth for money.
II am young and have made a great
many mistakes and can see where I
have failed. but let those who are op-
| pressing me, Let them who are with
out sin cast the first stone
! I'VE are all pitiful creatures and
none of us are divine. In these three
weeks and over that I have spent i'm
Jail I have looked at life from all
angles and II has done me n great
deal of good. And I have learned
one great lesson. and that is that the
way of the offender is hard and that
] II pays to do right and live above re-
proach.
Asks Judge Great Favor.
Now. Mr.. Quinn. am going to ask
! you one great favor that lies wholly
within your power ] am going to ask
for one more chance to make good.
have an offer by three men IL you
| will parole me, 10 go TO work. ! will
| either leave Mankato or remain here,
and you can put me under the most
strict parole, and / will report to You
L L.. n
talk to you personally could explain
to you that you are under a wrong i'm
preston of me. And I can prove to
you that I can be a man among men
and make good. Tyusting you will
give this consideration and grant me
this one great favor and wishing you
the joy OF the season and a most hap
py Christmas, | beg to- remain, Re
spectfully yours, Ralph F. Macbeth"
II Is said that Judge Quinn was in
receipt of letter from one who
signed herself "A Mother" in which
a plea is made for Macbeth.
Ivan Bowen. attorney for Ralph
/ Macbeth, stated today that he would
appeal the case to the supreme court
Prompt action prevented serious
J fire at the home of Mr.. and Mrs. ]. s
Thompson, Alt Pearl street, or
! Christmas eve. Mr.. and Mrs. Frank
J Thompson, who are holiday guests al
the Thompson home, had decided tc
have Christmas tree for their I'm
FAINT son Raymond. The tree was
, gayly lighted and glittering with
!. Christmas novelties, snow bank oil
cotton concealing the stand support
ing 1t. A spark from candle fell In
: the imitation snow, which caught
ablaze at once, flaming up rapidly
Mrs. Frank Thompson and couple
OF boys smothered the fire with
blankets and carpeting. and not ever
a gift on the tree was spoiled, moth
, ing but the SNOW" having melted
away, and the family enjoyed a happy
+. CbrfofraaQ In cuffa NJ fh< o..tl.~S