OCR Text |
Show The liabcocli Trial. St. Louip, IS. Upon the opening of the court to-day, George Gavin, secretary secre-tary of the board of police commissioners, commis-sioners, was called for the purpose of showing the record of Magill, the letter carrier who testified to returning return-ing two letters to Joyce. The witness did not answer, and the district attorney attor-ney at once announced that the government gov-ernment would not put in the rebuttal testimony. Tho case was then declared closed so far as the evidence was concerned. Judge Dillon asked if the counsel had arranged in what maunor the closing arguments should be made. Judge Porter said the defense intended raising a question of law looking to the direction ol" a verdict. He spoke at considerable length, giving the grounds on which he asked the court to direct at this stage of the trial a verdict of acquittal. In this case, said Judge Porter, upon the undisputed facts, wo submit that there is no question but for the court to acquit tho defendant. Tne evidence was then passed in review very carefully and slowly, and after the review Judge Porter said: We now ask for the acquittal of the defendant at the bands ol tho court. Altera hricf pause tiic court asked the defense ll they were prepared to present authorities. Judge Porter replied in the affirmative and proceeded to read from tho bookn various cases which he claimrd wero paralleled in this point of law to the one under cunaid-eration. cunaid-eration. St. Louis, IS. On reasccnibling, Judge .Dillon overruled the motion for the acquittal at tho bands of the couit and the argument will proceed, the prosecution opening. |