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By Hal ArmstrongWith the hour approaching: that is to decide whether James E. Mahoney shall go to the gallows, Mrs. Dolores Johnson sat beside her accused brother in Judge J. T. Ronald’s courtroom today and bitterly wept.Deputy Prosecutor T. H. Patterson had just closed his argument to the jury with these words:lt;4This is a serious matter.III say to you, bring in a verdict finding James guilty of murder in the first degree. And shall death? Yes.”E. Mahoney punishment beMahoney’s face was ashen. For a moment he ceased his gum chewing and tried to smile, but the smile was denied him. *hDefense Attorney L. B. Schwellenbach came to his feet, and, facing the jury,id!i**\ agree absolutely with one of the statements the state’s attorney has just made—that this is a serious matter. When you go into your jury room you will take with you a human life. If you do what the state wants you to do, it will' mean that in 30 days or so Jim Mahoney will be taken to Walla Walla, and in the early hours of the morning will be hanged.”It was at this point that Mrs. Johnson, who halt;f been sitting emotionless all morning,covered her face with her handkerchief and Itegan to cry.With eloquent oratory Schwellenbach, naively insinuated that it was Captain CharlesE. Tennant who put the mystery trunk in Lake Union. For the first time in the case.Mahoney Seems HalfAmused as AttorneyAsks He Be HangedBy Wanda von Kettler‘Jail s harml*»*. inofftndvr,IHtlr old lady—murdered-—tnur-durcd-hrr hod) placed In a trunk—hrr fare parked with lime—the trunk sunk drep in the lake at It o'clock at night.The word* were spoken by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney J. H. Patterson In the opening argument for the Male Friday afternoon In I he cane of Janie* K. Mahoney, alleged slayer of hi* aged bride. Tltla wan the tftthday of the trial No more wlt-neaae* remained to teat Ify on either side. The raae now rented with the counsel and flu* Jury., whooe body la ssid to be on h e tnthe morgue, picture*. n heap of let-her* and a set of fa 1m teeth.Schwellenbach also insinuated that hypnotic influence | had been used upon Alvin Jorgenson, a state’s witness.Then more boldly, Schwellenbach exclaimed:“Do you see what Charlie Tennant has done in this case? He has framed Jim Mahoney.Patterson’s denunciation of the defendant and his family had been particularly bitter.I, . ... i- j ... i Rtf erring to the 12-year-old nieceDelores Johnson Misted Friday L ||M , W!(ri#nidafternoon, during the recess of thecourt, that she had no reason to benervous on the witness stand.MIf I broke dewn and seemedshaken this morning.” .she declared.it was Just because of I he generalstate of thing* the confusion andthe worry not bemuse of any fear of the stand When Patterson later referred toDolly'* Johnson hf the woman whom James Mahonev had told“This little girl, Margaret; I don’t like to discuas the child bemuse she la a child. This Jury was able to see she didn't teatlfy natgirally.’’Imagine—yesterday waa the last of September, and she was telling about things that happened in the middle of April. I don't blame the child. I don't think the child has been here day after day listening to the things you have listened to because she liked it.*'MOTH EH WOt LD LEAVE NOTHING INDONK TO HAVE HIMwhat to say and what to tell,” and hinted at the identity of the woman' Patterson then recalled to the jurywho had forged the signature of Kate Mahoney, giving James Mu ho“Mahoney plotted to kill he plott.«J to htito. In .low, . XH. I word. ! n*y P°w*r of attorney over his wife «Patterson continued us he stood before Die jurymen and women, “—Mahoney plotted to defeat the ends ofjusticeMAHONEY LIHTKNH INTENTLY TO PROHKO TOKBehind the speaker, seated at the table facing Judge J. T Honuld. were James Mahoney, hia mother. Mrs Nora Mahoney, lit* sister. Mrs. Dolores Johnson, and his niece, little Margaret.Mahoney listened Intently, his eyes jfollowing each move, each gesture, of the man who spoke.His mother remained motionless, her mouth drooping, her gaze on the!floor. |Delores Johnson, clothed In black,! I with gold circle earrings gleaming against the pallor of her face and the dark brown of her hair, rolled! her eyes upward, closed them, open* jed them slowly, then stared straight ; ahead. Only little Margaret looked about her. from one to the other of her family,,then wonderlngl.v at theJury.Among the spectators, directly behind the group at the defense tahle, sat Mrs. Kate H tew art and Mrs. Car-tie Hewitt, nieces of Kate Mahoney. Both women dried their eyes at In♦•state, Mrs. Johnson widened her eyes, stared more fixedly toward the jury, but made no further move.PRISONER SEEMS TO LOSE INTERESTDeputy Prosecuting Attorney Patterson did not complete his argu-• inent Friday afternoon. At 5:tt4k the Jury adjourned to an adjoining chamber, JNmeM Mahoney was led front the courtroom, while the spectators ! reluctant 1\ left the scene of rehashed crime.Mahoney *1 ret died Ills arm* wearily and cast a languid, half amused smile upon those near by as the mob behind him began it-, shuffle toward the door. He had heard Hie greater half of one argument. Patterson was yet to complete Ids pleading,Prosecutor Malcolm Douglas.for he state, |,ea Johnston and Louis Schwellenhach, for the defense. were still to speak, yet Mahoney, seemingly, had lost Interest again.Perhaps Ids interest will he re vlved late Saturday night.For the Judge has said, “You, menand women of the Jury, will go Intoconference late Saturday night and!to relatives, himself and Mrs. Mu-the testimony of the defendant's other relatives. He said:“There is the mother. Mrs. Nora Mahoney. No matter who the mother is. or what kind of a mother, she would leave no stone unturned to save her son. but what you want is the truth.*'The assistant state’s attorney then took up the testimony of Gus Johnson, the man who upset Mahoney’s alibi late yesterday.“When Gua Johnson says, Tou didnot see me there at the New Baker House on Saturday night,* said Patterson. he tells the truth. He never saw Kate Mahoney anytime on Saturday.Patterson called attention to thefact that Mrs. Mahoney always wort a wig.“But the wig was not found in the trunk that contained hjr body,” he declared, “yet the man that killed Mrs. Mahoney didn'JSfrknow how to get her false teeth out. and couldn't get the small wedding iftig off her finger, or these would have been missing, too.MlHDEK PROVED O V KRYVH ELM INGLY“This ts murder in the first ds-gree, proved overwhelmingly.”One by one. Patterson read the let-j ters written by Mahoney in St. Paulwill decide whether or not thejtsrvals. while Patterson related step j fendnnt »* guilty of murderby step the details of the allegedmurder.GRIM REMINDER OE TRAGEDY ON TABLEOn the stales tahle, before the Jury* were the exhibits of both sides of ihr cast exhibits including the marriage certificate of Kate midinde-thefirst degree.“If you believe he did not kill Kate -Mahoney in the manner charged, then he is ipnocent. If yon believe he did kill Kate Mahoney in the manner as charged, then he is guilty, and you mtu t decide whetherhoney here.' “These letter*, you remember, were i written b 'Mrs. Kate Mahoney.’” said Patterson with Irony. “All thru I these letters runs a kind of a veiled I Joke, such as i his.” Then Patterson read:j “JinuuN keeps humming The Rat-tie of fhe Boiling Water*.'” Now’or not he pays with the penalty of j what relation doe* that hear to ih*i*r i
Newspaper Details
Seattle Star
Seattle, Washington, US
Sat, Oct 01, 1921
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Jessica A.
NA, 16 Dec 2022
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