Albuquerque morning journal., 1915-05-02
FATE Of LAWSON
NOW RESTS WITH
COLORADO JURY
Case of Labor Leader Charg-
ed With Murder of Deputy
Sheriff, Is Submitted for
Final Decision,

Trinidad. Colo. May i.-The fate Of
John r. Lawson ia IN the hands 81
twelve ranchmen and business men OF
las Anlmaa county The cgee ia which
tho noted labor leader is charged with
the murder of John Nimmo went TO
the Jury tonight. Nimmo, q deputy
sheriff. WAS Killed October %, 1913,
in one of the battles which featured
the recent strike of Colorado coal min
ers.
The case was submitted to the jury
at the end Of the summing up by Nor
ton Montgomery. assistant attorney
general.
The day was taken up with argu-
ments of attorneys, after Judge
CRANKY Hillyer had delivered his in
structlons to the jury. Statements
were made for the state by Frank
West and Norton Montgomery; for
the defense by Horace ~ Hawkins,
Edward +. Costigan and Fred w.
Clark.
Claim Strikers Started Battle.
The attorneys for the prosecution
argued that their evidence had proved
that the strikers started the battle of
October 20, 1913, ana that Lawson
was IN command OF the strikers and
railroad cut when Nimmo was shot.
The theory propounded by the de-
fense, on the other hand, was that the
battle was started by deputy sheritfs
ana that Lawson, instead OF melting
10 riot. tried 10 calm the men ana
women in the Ludlow tent colony.
Horace N Hawking in his argument
paid tribute 10 the character Of Law
son, declaring that III there was a
stain or bemish IN his whole life. the
Bald win Felts Detective agency would
have ferreted II out and spread IL be-
fore you.
Referring to the testimony Of the
two detectives, Snyder and Murphy,
ne shouted: Somebody Is hiring those
detectives TO go on the stand ana try
TO swear John I.awson's life away.
Hawkins Arraigns Prosecution.
Hawkins belittled the testimony IN
troduoed by the prosecution. "When
the state--or perhaps | shouldn't say
the state-when the prosecution which
makes its headquarters at the coal
company office. had finished its ease,
/ thought It had mace no ease NJ oil.
II this had been an ordinary trial !
would have been content to submit
the case without presenting evidence.
Bat this Is not an ordinary case. The
trial Of John 4. Lawson Is a trial OF
the rights Of labor to oppose oppres-
sion and believe It only fair To the
public and the labor cause to present
the truth In this vital matter"
Edward p. Cogtigan, for the de-
fensc. IL opening his argument, flayed
the coal company influences" which
he declared We're behind the prosecu-
tion.
coal company Influences surround
ing this court room" he exclaimed:
"Baldwin-Fe detectives standing IN
the court; meetings of witnesses and
attorneys in the office OF Judge Jesse
q. Northcut--all point to the forces
which are behind the prosecution of
John r, Lawson"
Costigan then discussed at length
the courts instructions to the jury,
explaining them from the standpoint
OF the defense.
Referring TO the different theories
aa to The beginning of the october 25
battle, Costigan said
I'VE know that cruel ana wanton
attack upon unarmed men from the
tent colony began from the heights
around Ludlow section hoase before
the train from Trinidad reached Lud |
low
Costlgan pointed ont what he said !
were vital Inconsistencies in the sto-
ries told by the different witnesses /
for the state regarding the beginning
Of the fight
The speaker scored the Two detee-
tives, Snyder and Murphy. VINO testi- !
fed for the state These men
wrote themselves down as too dagcn- |
crate and black for description, when
they admitted that they were out for
the money he shouted Their Hes /
the basis for the demand of
the prosecution that you send John r. /
aNson to tbp natloWe