The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1922-02-09
PROGRESS NsDE.
IN C;U|k1,,IER |; j !! CASE

In uUMll,lk VAOE
Trial Halted on January 23rd by the
Illness of Green Had Only Reached
Preliminary Stages When Adjourn-
ed.
The trial of VIM. GUNNER on a
charge Of murder in connection with
the death of Marie Wick in the Pres
colt hotel in Fargo on June 7th, 192l'
was opened in the Barnes county DIS
trict court on Jan. 18th. States At
torney VIM. C. Green of Cass county
had charge of the prosecution and ne
was assisted in the selection OF the
Jury by States Attorney L. S. b.
Richie of this city. Chas. Pollock
was also assisting him. The defense
is represented by Judge Barnett and
Clair Brickner of Fargo and H. W.
Swenson of Devils Lake. Mr.. Sven
son is a brother-in-law of the accus-
ed, Attorney A. P. Paulson assisted
the defense in the jury selection.
Preliminary Stages Over
The first two days of the trial
were consumed in the selection of the
Jury and the jury was completed
about 400 O'Clock on Wednesday al
ternoon, The announcement of the
completion of the jury was a sur
prise to everyone. After the selec-
ton Of the jury the state entered the
preliminary stages of the legal bat
tie and began calling witnesses to the
stand whom circumstances showed
could not have committed the crime.
Some 80 witnesses were examined
during the first few days but in many
cases the examination was merely
perfunctory and tended to show the
imposs ibility of the witness having
anv direct connection with the COM
mission of the crime. The various
pruesome exhibits found on the scene
of the crime have been entered IN
evidence by the state and ldentl1leo
bv witnesses. These exhibits tell
graphic story of the brutality OF the
murder and are repugnant SIGHT IN
the courtroom. The state had not
produced a great deal Of evidence con
Meeting the accused with the CRIME
IN to the end of the fifth day of the
trial, the preliminary stages requ1r-
inp the attention of the court up to
that time. When court opened on
Saturday morning, the 21st, the plac
ing of H. J. Hagan on the witness
stand led the spectators to believe
that the preliminary stages were oV-
er and that the state was about TO
start proving their contention 1na'
the crime could not have been COM
mitted by anyone other than the ac-
cused The examination OF Hagan
was not long and he was turned over
Tn the defense for cross examlnatloli'
Cross examination by Barnett brot
ont some discrepancies in his direct
testim The defense excused MN
while reserving the right to again
,,,,ca him on the stand. He will un-
doubtedly be returned for turtner
questioning before the close OF the
case, The placing of Andy Brown
chum of the accused and material VIII
ness held by the state, on the stai'u
and the short examination OF MIN
was a decided surprise to everyone
ond M less to the defense counsel
The state has announced their 1nteh.
tion of showing the connection OF
Brown with the signature OF Jas
Farrell on the hotel register oQ the
night in question. A handwriting e$-
nar+ bv whom it is hoped to prove
this connection, was in the city at the
time Of the adjournment. He will re-
turn to the city during the week ana
take the stand. Sensational develop
ments in the case are expected thru
tho use Of Brown, and speculation as
n h;s connection with the crime IS
rife in the city. There are several
points in the evidence so far present.
Cd which will require clearing up IN
order to obtain a conviction OF the
accused but the state has slgnl1led
their intention of Strengthening these
matters out.
Defense Counsel Silent
The counsel for the defense have
piven no indication as yet to their
n],,, of defense or as to the identity
y l. l..