The Nome nugget., 1924-04-05
LOCAL NEWS
FEDERAL COURT ACTIVITIES

Federal Court resumed session last Tuesday morning with Federal Judge C. J. Lomen on the Bench. after talk ing a recess over Sunday and Seward Day.
 The first case on the docket this week was that of the United States versus L. D. Berry and Daniel Smith. United States Attorney Fred Earri- son represented the Government. and the Court appointed Attorney F. Grimm to defend Berry and Smith. Daniel Smith was present in the Court Room at the time ,ne case Was called, and Berry, evidently think ing he needed bracer before appear i"g. took if upon himself to appear in what was said to be highly inebri- ated state. The Chief of Police of Nome, Felix Howald was called and berry was escorted to the City Bas- tile. where he remained GatH tle time of his sentence Thursday morn ing in the District Court.
 The charge on which Smith and Berry were tried was d case of the violation of the Alaska Bone Dry Act. The jury selected to try the case con- sisted of the following Jurors: Miss. Bertha Saville. Evan Jack. Henry Shultz. Abin Poison, Mrs. c. J. Woofter, Mrs Nel Thomen. Fred M. Aver Ed Rohn. John l.. Herbert, NJ. 0. Solberc, Peter K Peterson and G. F. Hilfrish.
 The case was heard regardless of tie fact that Berry. one of the De- fendants, could not be present on ac- count of being incarcerated in the City Jug" sleeping off the effects ot an overdose of bug juice
 The case was argued to the Jury ty United States Attorney Fred Har rison for the Government. and F. Grimm for the Defendants. The case went to the jury at 2:30 pm, and the Jury returned verdict of Guilty" at 4:55 D. m., and sentence was pronounced Thursday morning. Berry was sentenced to 90 days in the Federal Jail and to pay a fine of $500, and should he fail to pay the fine. he will continu" to occupy cell ip the Jail al the rate of $2.00 per day until the fine is paid. Smith was sentenced to two months in the Fed era Jail and pay fine of $100.00 with the same alternative if the fine is not paid.
 On Wednesday, April 2nd., the case of the United States versus Richard Negus was called and the following Jury selected Henry Shultz. Cert rude Lescher. Andrew Mattson. Erie Johnson, Carl Brill, John Manos, Wm Arthurs. Fred Diemer, John l.. Herbert, Peter X. Peterson. Peter Teager and M. O. Solberg
 The trial began at goo D. m, April 2nd., and continued through Thurs day. Eskimo witnesses being exam ined by Counsel through an inter rreter, Frank Degnan, and this testi- nony came very slowly and had the effect of slowing down the trial very much.
 The Prosecution finished it's case Thursday afternoon and the defense oEener his case in chief.
 On Friday morning the defense re- sumed its case and a great number Of character witnesses were placed cn the stand by the defendant dur ing the day The defense closed it's case late Friday. the defendant taking the stand as the last witness for the defense. Today few wit resses will be placed on the stand by the prosecution in rebuttal. and the arguments to the Jury are ex- pected to begin before noon, accord ing to present expectations.
 The Negus case is the last Criminal case to be tried at this session of Court and the Petit Jurors not en- gagged in the trial of this case were excused last Wednesday until 11;00 a. m., September 11th,, 1924, at which time they will re-convens The Grand Jury was excused until September Sth., 1924, and it is ex- pected that there will be few more