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THE SHEEDY TRIAL

(Continued from page four.)

He characterized the evidence connecting her with the crime as too remote, too uncertain, too slight to ever permit of a thought of her conviction.

The Confession Reviewed.

When Col. Philpott took his turn at the argument he reviewed the circumstances under which McFarland's so called "confession" was made and maintained that it was extorted by means of threats and promises. Then he raked the doctors fore and after for their conflicting testimony, hinting that Sheedy's death might be due to malpractice. He pointed out that financial interest that Dennis Sheedy must have in the prosecution, and how the attorneys he had employed could well afford to remain in court for four weeks looking after this prosecution. They had two strong incentives--first the desire to win this great suit, and second the money there is in it. This money would be inconsiderable sum, and it must come either from the pockets of Dennis Sheedy or the estate of John Sheedy. He complained bitterly that Dennis Sheedy had not been brought into court for examination on behalf of the defense in compliance with the promise of the attorneys for the state. He inveighed against the assertion of Mr. Hall that the prosecution of Mrs. Sheedy could come from brotherly duty on the part of Dennis Sheedy, alleging that it was a persecution to secure the share of the estate that would otherwise fall to her.

The Colonel picked numerous flaws in the case of the prosecution. He reverted to the fears that Sheedy had entertained--not for Monday McFarland--but for two gamblers. When asked by Ab Carder after the assault who had struck him he had replied "the big man." The state had shown that when Monday McFarland had struck that blow he had on Stepney's overcoat, but John Sheedy said the man had on a short coat.

The speaker closed his argument with a forcible explanation of his refusal to permit Monday to turn state's evidence, and said that he had in his thirty-five years of practice never perjured himself or been guilty of subornation or perjury, and he would never have permitted his client to perjury his would to hang that woman. The colonel had talked for two hours in an earnest, forcible manner and made a strong plea for his client.

The Defense Closed.

Attorney Strode made the closing argument for the defendants, and did it in a manner which met the high expectations of the audience. He pointed to the failure of the State to call Dennis Sheedy and his son, although the prosecution had promised to put them upon the stand. Young Dennis was at the house during the tragedy and surely was an important witness. Old Dennis had not appeared because he knew the domestic relations of John Sheedy and his wife; because John Sheedy had recently told him how happily he had been living with his wife; he had not been put on the stand because he had settled up John Sheedy's affairs after his death, had gone and settled with the gamblers and got his money from the safe, and nobody knew how much money there was in that safe.