Denver labor bulletin., 1915-05-08

men rendered in the district court at
Trinidad Monday afternoon in the case OF
John r. lawson, Colorado national exec
utive board member OF the United Mine
Workers Of America He had been on
trial under charge Of having killed John
Nimmo. a mine guard deputy sheriff in
a battle between striking coal miners
and mine guards near Ludlow, october
25. 1918. one month and two days alter
the strike was called in the southern
fields.
While the verdict was startling in
,iew OF the testimony submitted. being
contrary TO all precedent, it was not
surprising to those who have kept in
touch with the political intrigues of the
coal operators.
perxecution-Not Prosecution
The case attracted national attention
aud was generally accepted as being one
OF persecution as distinguished from le-
gal prosecution for an alleged crime
Judge CRANKY c. Hillyer. recently ap-
pointcd by Governor Carlson, presided at
The trial Deputy Attorney Generals
Frank West and Norton Montgomery
and former Judge Jesse G. Northcutt
uro..cuted. and Horace n. Hawkins, i.
y. Costigan. Charles I. Mshoncy, t. A.
McHarg and +. W. Clark conducted the
defense.
The case wa. one of several murder
charges filed against Lawson on direct
informations after indictments against
2pp strikers wcro withdrawn when the
grand jury that drew them was at
tackled.
The Jury was selected from an open
renirc drawn by elisors appointed by the
court on affidavits that the sheriff was
pr,judioed for the prosecution and that
the coroner was prcjndiccd for the de-
fcpse.
Eleven for Death. One for Life.
The Jury was given the case at n;2n
o'clock last Saturday night and rendered
it, verdict at o'clock Monday after
noon. by most court attendants the de-
lay was believed TO indicate that a mis-
trial would result. II developed. how
ever. that on the first ballot the jury
voted to report verdict of guilty OF
murder in the first degree rs charged
but could not agree on the pcualty. Tn
der the law jury in first degree YER
diets eau place the penalty either at
hanging or life imprisonment. Eleven of
the jurors were for hanging lawson. but
one claimed he had conscientious scru-
pies" against the death penalty and held
out for life Imprisonment. lie won.
They may get me. but they can't get
the cause I stand for was Lawson's
calm observation TO the men seated Mt
the press table, Immediately after he had
heard the verdict.
Lawson Signs Own Bond.
Horace N. Hawkins. chief counsel for
the defense, asked that the jury be polled
and each member of the twelve replied
that the verdict was his.
Hawkins then asked and received
thirty days in which to file motion for
new trial.
Instead of being remandcd to jail, the
usual procedure when defendant who
has been out on bond is convicted. Law
son was temporarily released in custody
of his counsel. acting as officers of the
court. He was later permitted TO file a
bond for $4,000, signed by himself and
Attorney Hawkins. pending the hearing
Of a motion for new trial.
Reception at Denver Office.
Lawson returned to Denver Wcdnes-
day morning and during the day was Wis
tied by constant stream OF labor off
cials. friends and sympathizcrs nt his Of
flee in the German American Trust
building. To all he asserted the case
would be fought TO the end and allowed
that he was still n long way from the
pen at Canon City. Lawson was In good
spirits and was more concerned over his
sick wife in California than his own sit
uation.
In event a new trial is refused by
Judge Hillyer, the crsc will be taken mt
once to the state supreme court, where
Il Ia confidently expected supcrccdeas
will be granted until hearing can be
had. This would have the effect Of hold
ing up enforcement Of the verdict. Should
new trinl be granted. change OF
venue will he demanded. In the mean