Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1922-04-26

where there is no motive shown,
especially in a circumstantial evid-
ence case, there is nothing to place
YOUR mind to convict the defendant.
Even if the undue intimacy between
Kneeskern and Irene is true it
wouldn't be motive as the state
tried to show.
Atty. Murphy carried into detail
an explanation of the circumstances
surrounding the defendant and his
going to the cabin.
In concluding Mr.. Murphy told
the jury he had intended to finish
by recess and also gave short talk
to the jury about the history of law
and that even tomorrow it may be
him or one of the jury that may be
on trial.
Atty. Murphy finished his argu-
ment at 1890 a. m.
County Attorney Nelson followed
Atty. Murphy in the closing argu-
ment for the state.
Atty. Nelson in his opening gave
strong and convincing introduction
of the case, which lasted for about
three quarters of an hour. He open
ed with the statement not to permit
ourselves to be carried off by imagi-
nation, but we must get to the truth.
He spoke on truth and that the
jury should decide upon their ver-
dict from truthful and justified
basis. Many historic points of law
were brought out and that from the
beginning of man the laws have
been broken and men had to be
punished for crimes they had COM
mitted
The state is here asking for justice
Atty. Nelson said. When we are
true to ourselves we are only serving
humanity and the state rightly he
said.
You, said Mr.. Nelson, to the jury
are here to determine whether B. F..
Kneeskern is guilty of the crime Of
murder.
In a soul stirring speech, telling Of
the awful crime on such a sweet
little girl and ambitious young man
on such a peaceful day, and how the
murderer did what little he could
after the crime was committed by
covering up the bodies, Atty. Nelson
pICluTcU Tic iioIIOl VI liic ihuluci
to the jury.
He next gave a description of cir
cumstantial evidence and examples of
its use in every day life. Also the
use of circumstantial evidence in
most cases as the best type of evid-
ence.
The next few minutes were spent
in staging a defense for Elmer Van
Bro cklin, more than a prosecution
of B. F. Kneeskern. He stated that
Elmer admitted that he quarrelled
at the cabin with Irene and Charley
Van Brocklin, even with the chance
of endangering himself by so doing.
He also pointed out many places
where Elmer had endangered him.
self by telling the truth.
1t is a wonder in my mind said
Atty. Nelson that an ignorant boy like
that, after two and a half days of
Atty. Cuttings grilling, did not let
out some admission of guilt, but he
didn't, not even one word or the
defense would have brought it up.
Atty. Nelson went over in the
corner where Kneeskern's gun was on
exhibit and picked it up, saying to
the jury "that Atty. Cutting said
Elmer was born with a gun in his
hands, and that this one, Kneeskern's
didn't have anything to cock. To
show that it did Atty. Nelson worked
the cooking arm back and forth.
After a few words in behalf of
George Moore the court adjourned
for the noon hour.
Atty. Nelson Strengthened up the
statement that Kneeskern had taken
his coat off in the cabin on the
morning of Dec. IL and said that it
showed his familiarity at the cabin
anyway, for him to make himself at
home.
He stated Kneeskern was on the
ground on the 11tH of Dec. with a
Shot gun, and as far as he could
ascertain he never has turned over
the shells he had that day, because