Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-02-12

SnOt me, Miller SAID nOtn1ng.
When Schaul asked, What did you
shoot me for? Miller said nothing.
And when Schaul said, That's his
gun, l took it away from him. Mil
Ter said nothing. Gentlemen, what
does that indicate? 1t indicates
guilt When An innocent man is
accused of crime, il you or / were
placed in that position, what
would we do, what would we say?
We would deny the charge, and if
the story which the defendant says
is true, were true, we would ex-
press some kind of an expression
of sympathy for the man who had
fallen by his own hand, through
accident and passion on his part.
But what did Miller do? He stood
silent before the man he shot, mute,
but with a sneering smile on his
lips.
HE testified that he said nothing
before Schaul because he was
scared. He also testified that
Schaul said nothing. Can you be-
lieve the word of an ex-convict, a
eeIf-confessed thief and stickup
man, a man whom prisons could
not reform, against the testimony
OF reputable citizens of your COM
munity. Think it over, gentlemen.
"SchauPs words in the pawnshop
that night were those of a wronged
man, not those of an aggressor,
nor those of hatred or enmity. And
he confirms his statements in the
deathbed statement, which l have
read to you here. Do you think
that man would go into the next
world with lie on his lips, per-
jury on his soul, with the life Of
this man to answer for before his
Maker? We have the word, the
story of thief, a robber, as against
the deathbed declaration of his vic
tim Weigh the two accounts for
what they are worth, gentlemen,
and bring back your verdict &C
cordingly.
Hands Not Tied.
Miller said that officer Kell tied
his hands behind him when he ar
rested him in the park. Meenan
testified that Miller was fumbling
with his cuff as the patrolman
brought him back to Schaul's shop.
Harry Baker said that Miller nerv-
cusly ran his hands through his
pockets as he faced the dying pawn
broker with a sneering smile.
Gould he have done these things if
his hands had been tied behind his
back? Again you have the word Of
this self-confessed thief against
that of respected citizens of your
city.
"Co1oney's testimony that he wit
messed a scuffle in the pawnshop
on the night of the shooting has
been proven false by several wit
nesses. His story is false because
it is impossible. James Montgom-
cry of the firm of Montgomery &
Campbell, cleaners and dyers, told
you how the front of Schaul's store
was arranged. From his testimony
you can readily see that what Col
oney said is a falsehOod, for he was
across Second avenue and
the rack of pawns and two show
cases in front Of the door would
prevent MIN from seeing
what took place within the shop.
Sullivan, a former policeman,
did not tell anyone about the gun
which Miller turned over to him
until about a week ago and then
spoke of it to one of the attorneys
for the defense. Doesn't that sound
queer to you? Here's a man who
has favorable evidence for Miller,
but who does not bring it forth
until the last minute in an effort to
save him. No mention Of it was
made when the defendant was first
for murder.
No Mark on Body.
"And the story of the beating.
that was too strong. He
''verdid it. He underestimate your
your common sense.
The testimony of Sergeant Holmey-
er of the Davenport police force
proved that Miller lied about the
beating. There was not a mark on
his body on the Monday following,
according to what Holmeyer teSti-
fed.
What motive could six or seven
police officers have in all swearing
their honor away, blackening their
souls with a lie that might send
this man to his death?
''Who has the most at stake
here? To whom is this a matter
of life and death? Who is the des-
perate man who, cornered and at
bay would seize upon any method
or means to cast a shadow of
doubt into your minds that he
might be saved from the rope
from the death which he so justly
deserves. 1t is the man sitting
there, the defendant, Arthur Miller,
self-confessed burglar, robber, pa
role violatori He's the man who
would stop at nothing to save his
neck,
Prisons have failed . to reform
this man. He has been sentenced
for burglary in Holt county, Neb.
He was given from one to 10 years
He was paroled and now he is on
trial for killing a fellow man.
this is no pleasure for
me, it is no pleasure for you, but
we must do our duty as men, as
citizensi We must find this man
guilty of the crime of murder and
from the evidence rule that he
must give his life in reparation. In
full justice / can see no other YER
dict"
Clash Over Statement
r. P. Stnnett, associate counsel
with B. F. Schriver, representing