Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1922-11-29

vas no evidence in the case to show
that he had, or had access to, shells
with No 9 shot.
"0n March III, three months after
the crime, they say they found No. 6
shot to connect Kneeskern with the
/ use of suoh shot, he said in con-
clusion on this subject. ''The scene
Rad been oyerrun by people that day
and day after day, with no one pay
ing any attention to preserving evil
dence. Waters found the coffee pot
on Monday night and we're asked to
believe it was then exactly where
/ it was the day before. Waters found
/ no shot there then, but three months
later, going there at the suggestion
of Elmer Van Bpcklin, the man
who KneeskeIn's conviction Only
lisds between him and this crime,
ne picks up some No. 6 shot
Tells OF E.lmer's Treats
The speaker thea read a letter
from Elmer Van Broeklin to Mrs.
Rice, dated in January 1920, in
which threats against "Ch" were
made. and declared that "Ch'' meant
his brother Charlie. He also called
attention to the uncontra..icted ;es-
timony IN the ease regarding threats
@gair-' Charles and Irene made By
r..lleI the morning Oh the day OF the
murders.
He talked at length to show that
\ che jury acted in a manner prejudic-
4 fsl 70 the defendant when it had a
hailiff bring it ruler and a yarc
stick, and read from the jurors al
! tidavitS 70 show that these measures
were FUSED with reference TO one Or
the other Of the piats' for Ine pur-
pose of determining distances in
votved in the case. They mad the
evidence. he said, and had no right
20 use rulers to settle differences OF
I opinion to suit themselves.
Mr.. Hart attacked couhs-. Tor the
state for sending the jury out to de
hberate on the case with differences
and accusations of criminal intim-
acy between kneeskern. and Irene
Van Brocklin.
There was nothing in the record
TO prove the truth of such infer
enees. They we've not fair. They
were not honest. We can't answer
insinuations We can't wipe out
poison put in the minds of the july
by differences. III stop now to give
them chance to point it OUT, if
there Is anything in the record 10
prove these insinuations.
Called Them "Damnable"
The counsel for the defense, after
this declaration, waited a moment,
but attorneys for the state said moth
ing. He then said it was "damn-
able" act to make such Instructions
against little l9-year-old girl ly-
ing cold in death" when there was
mo evidence to support them.
In reply to Mr.. Houck'S state
men. that his and Mr.. Sayre's con-
nection with Elmer Van Brocl1iin
had ceased, Mr.. Hart said:
These attorneys interest in Ell
mer Van Brocklin won't end until
they are both gone. Yet they say
their connection with Elmer is end
ed. Why, MIR. Sayre's argument TO
the jury in the trial of Kneeskern
was largely a defense # Elmer.
when Kneeskem shall, walk out
! of this court room free man, az
eventually, at some time, he must
with there being no evidence to con-
meet him with this crime, the fi1g-
er Of suspicion will point directly
at one man, Elmer Van Brockiin,-
Mr.. Hart added.
There followed some debate over
Mrs. Rice's affidavits between Mr..
Hart and attorneys for the defense,
the discussion starting when Mr..
Hart said the state had entered the
"frst'' affidavit from Mrs. Rice. He
later changed this to "the state mas
submitted an affidavit" from Mrs.
Rice 1t was during this alterc;-
ton that the audience applauded@a
quip Of the counsel for the state
/ This brought forth words OF cor
demnation from Mr.. Hart what ne
termed desire on the part OF
some people, and they are in this
| court room who want to dominate
| Wmneshiek county by mob rule
Defends Mrs. Rice
He defended Mrs. Rice against the
imputations Of the counsel for the
state that her affidavits should de
/ serve no credence and have no
/ weight in passing on the question Of
/ new trial.
an tell you who Mrs. Rice is,
! he said. "Shes little mother who
gave birth to the little girl, who was
killed in that cabin by Elmer Van,
Brocklin. Shes a mother, that's who
she is