The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1917-06-14
justice and a fair trial in Hand coun-

justice and a fair trial in Hand coun-
ty.
A number of citizens were sum-
moned from various localities Of the
county to testify as to their opinion
in the matter. A majority believed
that a jury of Hand county citizens
would try the case fairly and decide
upon the evidence. But as the de-
PENDANT had a right under the law to
demand trial before another Judge,
it was decided to grant change OF
n to Hyde county in a special
term of court before Judge Hughes
at Highmore, Tuesday, June 26.
Trial Of McGiIl
The trial of Grin McGill, third de-
PENDANT was taken up Tuesday, with
the same testimony as in the Walton
cas-
Break Among Defendants
AS indicated in first reports, an
effort was made to sepate the Pike
case from the other two men, Wal
ton and McGill. Pixies preliminary
hearing was held at a different time;
he was confined in the city Jail, while
his pals were confined in the county
Jail.
After the trials began Pike asked
that he be removed from the city Jail,
alleging it to be unsanitary. The
Judge granted the motion and Or
dered Pike removed to the county
jail. This was Immediately follow
ed by the prosecutions counter mo-
ton to remove Walton and McGill
from the county Jail to the city Jail,
which motion was also granted by
the Judge.
Testimony for the defense in the
McGill case began yesterday morning.
Twenty automobiles were parked
around the court yard park, and the
large audience consisted almost en-
tirely of farmers. Their were no
women present.
McGill and Walton were called and
gave the same story, indicating a
break between themselves and Pike.
They gave no intimation of lost men,
DRY this time after the car stuck in a
mud hole, but gave a detailed story
of their actions, both testifing that
Pike was the leader; that he cut the
screen with his knife; that he broke
in the door; that McGill was the
man who left the house first; that
Pike committed the crime. This in
substance is the ground covered by
testimony of Walton and McGill, de-
tails of questions and being
unprintable.
The testimony closed at noon, and
after dinner the attorneys made their
pleas to the jury. This session was
attended by a number of women.
States Attorney Fisher opened for
the prosecution, summing up the evid-
ence. Attorney s. ". Christ followed
with a plea for the defense. Attorney
Harlan Bushfield closed for the prose-
cution. The Judge instructed the jury
and at 4:40 they retired to their room.
The jury was out about five or six
hours and brought in a verdict of
guilty in the second degree"
The Kramer Family
Mary Kramer, the 13 year old COM
planning witness in these cases, is in
the city, accompanied by her father,
a small brother and a small sister,
stopping at a hotel and attending
court, John Kramer, the father, is
in poor health, and unable to work.
He is a small man, and Is handicap
ped by a rupture and a chronic cough.
His wife and mother of these child
rem, is confined in the Yankton asy-
lum for the states insane. She is
variable, according to messages from
the asylum authorities, at times ap-
pearing improved, She is given oc-
casional privileges, and One she
escaped from the asylum for two days
but voluntarily returned.
They have six children, Peter the
oldest son. works on a neighboring
farm. The baby is now at the home
Of a sister of Mrs. Kramer's in Min
nesota. Mary and her younger broth
err and sister live at home with their
father.
Their farm home, NV u 80 in York
twp, is in the name of Mary Kramer.
the mother. 1t was purchased by her
father, who sold to her. and took a
mortgage back for the purchase price.