The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1921-03-02
Proven "Maater- Mind" Z
!: Found Guilty and Sentenced
to Life imprisonment Il.
ROBERT MILLER PROVEN
a.? "MAsTER" OVER SHOOTER
Verdict Returned BY Jury Last
Night 1t :ll:3oAfter Six
Hours Deliberation

of Alfred FentOn, January 70, was
found guilty OF murder in, the sec
ond degree by the jury, for which
he was sentenced to life imprtson-
nlent at saltwater by Judge Stanton,
who presided at the trial, at. 1880
this afternoon. ....
E The case occupied seven days Of
time and attracted more than usual
attention because the younger BROTH
er, George Miller, who actually did
the shooting, was acquitted a. week
ago. This case, however, Is now his
tory and the state has no right to
appeal under the law. I
IL The plea made by County Attorney
Graham M. Torrance, who repre-
scented the state, covered, In every
detail, step by step, every phase and
angle of the affair. He left no stone
unturnedl in order that justice might
be meted out to the accused.
h. He proved conclusively that Robert
Miller was the master mind in the
killing Of Alfred Fenton. 1t was
Robert who directed every move made
by his younger brother. 1t was
Robert who peeked from behind the
!haystack and watched the approach
of Fenton, whom he thought was
Bowman. 1t was Robert who said
take good aim and get him.
It was Robert with whom Bowman
had the quarrel or difficulty-which,
together with, the abundant evidence
produced by the witnesses for t he
state under the direction of County
Attorney Torrance, secured the con-
viction Of Robert Miller.
Alfred Fenton was in the military
service Of the United States. He%Was
a good citizen and a Woodworking
mechanic. uIe was an only son, and
leaves, q mother, nineteen-year-old
widow and baby girl to mourn his
demise! He enjoyed wide acquaint.
ance in the north end of the county
where all were his friends. When the
first jury acquitted the younger
Miller, feeling ran high in that Sec
ton of the county, and many pro-
tests were heard concerning the mis-
carriage Of justice.
Men and women who have followed
the case at the court house as the
trial progressed, and who heard
practically all Of the testimony have
ccAnmehded the jury for doing its
full duty. They considered the facts
as presented and permitted no feel
ing of emotion to decide the case
for them.
!. The twelve men who brought In
the verdict at 1880 o'clock Tues
day night are Is follows: A. A. Met
Finger, Henry Anderson, A. H. Knut-
son, r. N. Holt, Frank Calvert, F. G..
Martin, Ed Ludtke, H. T. Praught,
Lee Hiltz, R. s. Lowering, William
Dunkley, and Charles Trodler. = y
Z. M. J., Daily Of Perham, c. R. and
e. c.. Middleton of Baudette ap-
peared for the defendant, while
County Attorney Graham M. Tor
rance prosecuted the case for the
state. The case developed much legal
strategy. and talent, which was dis
played throughout the entire seven
days Of the trial. =. L
= In charging the jury, Judge C. "
Stanton impressed the Jurors with
the importance of the case, not only
to the defendant, but to all of the
people, Of the sta te. "The case has
been presented to the jury by counsel
on both sides with rare ability" said
$ the Judge. "The burden now rests
with you, CONTINUED the judge to
the Jury, ITO declare\ a verdict that
will meet with the conscience and the
best judgment of each one OF you. y
The jury brought in the verdict abou,
11:3O~p. m. after almost six hours
of elaboration.