Salt Lake Tribune | 1904-04-02 | Page 1 | Jury Acquits Charles Peterson

JURY ACQUITS CHARLES PETERSON Long Trial for Murder of John Back-man Back-man Results iu Verdict of ' Not Guilty. Special to Tho Tribune. NBPHI. Ulah, April 1. The jury in the ease of the State vs. Charles Petcrpon, who was charged with the murder df John Backman. returned re-turned a verdict tonight of "not guilty." The evidence in the case was concluded con-cluded Thursday noon and the first argument ar-gument on the rart of the Stale was made by County Attorney Ed Pike. He contended that the evidence warranted a verdict of murder In the first degree, and he outlined the theory of the prosecution prose-cution upon which he asked for a verdict ver-dict Attorney M. A. rwOberlsou of Eureka made the opening argument for the defense, de-fense, contending that the defendant was not guilty and that he should be acquitted. Today the arguments wero resumed and 'Attorney S. A. King, In a three-hour speeclx, fully discussed the evidence, and Insisted that thd defendant defend-ant was justified In the killing of John Backman and was entitled to a verdict of not guilty. Mr. King was followed during the afternoon by District Attorney At-torney Greenwood on the part of the State, who concluded his argumont at 5 o'clock today. Judge Marloneaux thereupon instructed the jury. The Instructions In-structions were a model of English and were considered to be exceptionally fair and lucid. Tho jury retired at 5:45 and at S-45 was ready to return Its verdict. There is another case acalnst Peterson, Peter-son, that of the murder of John Eayt-man, Eayt-man, growing out of the same trouble, but the verdict In the Backman case effectually ef-fectually disposes of the oilier and tho man v. Ill probably be released on ball tomorrow. The trial just closed Is the . most important im-portant murder case in Juab county sinc the McGrath case, which was tried two years ago. Three weeks have been consumed in the hearing and fifty witnesses examined. The verdict meets with very general approbation.