The Alaska daily empire., 1923-05-03
Arguments Made

The case of the United States against Ernest Bryson, indicted by the grand jury for murder in the first degree. charged with the kill ing of Robert H. Ferry by shooting him with a pistol, November IA last, at Haines, went to the jury at o'clock this afternoon. Final argu- ments were closed at 230 o'clock, when Judge T. M Reed gave his in structions to the jury.
 The final arguments were opened this morning by the prosecution, As sistanlt United States District Attor- ney L O. Gore making the delivery. Arguments for the defense were started before the close of the morn ing session and concluded at 1:4o o'clock this afternoon, when A. G. Shoup. United States District Attor- ney, made the closing argument for tho prosecution.
 Court Room Filled The court room was filled to seat ing caipacfty by spectators during the afternoon session.
 Attorney Faulkner made strong argument for the defense. based on ! iustifiabe homicide for the honor of 1 the defendant wife, and self-defense. In eloquent and convincing manner | he spoke of the love and affection and hlgih regard of the defendant for his wife. of that love and regard which took him to Haines, where his wife had preceded him shortly be- fore, to effect reconciliation of the differences which had separated them Putting the case to the Judg- ment of any man, he told or Brysons visit to the Jones' residence on the might of the shooting. Of his finding the doors locked and seeing, through a crack between a window and the shade. his wife walking through the rooms, in tears, Ferry following her. Of his climbing through a bedroom window and hearing Ferry pleading with her to leave with him that night flor Juneau. promising her luxuries his money would buy; of his seeing | Ferry put his hands on his wfe's knee and of going into the room' when as he entered Ferry quickly put his hand to his hip, Bryson then lshooting.
 [. Attorney Faulkner said that Bry- son was armed, at the advice of sew eral reputable citizens of Haines, who had told him Ferry always was armed and was a quarrelsome and dangerous man.
 Attorney Faulkner then reviewed the fact of Bryson going immed- ; lately to give himself up to the officials and called to the jury consideration the testimony of re- putable and prominent citizens of this and the westward districts, as to the good character, honesty and high standing of Bryson, as given on the witness stand. On the other hand of the testimony of witnesses who are reputable citizens of this district as to the bad character of Ferry.
 He spoke of Bryson's old mother, who awaits at the family home at Pendleton, Oregon, with anxious heart the verdict of the jury which will mean life or death to her. and, he said, the casting or a nlgn character brough { about by heI years of Christian training to her son into oblivion or the upholdine of such a character.
 The prosecution put up strong case and demanded conviction. At torney Gore made 8 good case In opening the final argument and At torney Shoup made a strong argu- ment in closing. He went over the case of the defense in detail making strong points in refuting those made by the defense. In refuting the arguments put up by the att torney for the defendant, Attorney Shoup said that the main issue was the state of mind of the defendant preceding the shooting and said that ', Bryson's motive for shooting was re- venge for the breaking up of his | home.
 The case has been on trial since | Monday morning.