Closing Argument of Onias Skinner, 29 May 1845, Copy [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.]
Source Note
, Closing Argument, [, Hancock Co., IL], 29 May [1845], State of IL v. Williams et al. (Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court 1845). Copied [29 May–20 June 1845]; handwriting of and printed text; thirty-one pages; Wilford Wood Museum, Bountiful, UT; images in Joseph Smith Murder Trial Papers, 1844–1845, CHL.
ensue;— his family, his wife & children— their protection— first engaged his attention & absorbed his thoughts, & he flew to them. Is there any thing singular in this?— is there in it the slightest indications of guilt? — would you not have done the same?— would not every man, suddenly shocked at such alarming intelligence, who loved his family & felt his obligation for their protection have done the same? But, for this would have him hanged. Gentlemen, & have almost escaped our notice, & it is, indeed, difficult to imagine upon what claims their conviction;— it is inconcievable how much here, he presumes upon the character he supposes he has established with you for candor & Magnanimity;— he t[h]inks his disigning act of letting off Grover & against whom there was no evidence & withdrawing the testimony of his witnesses, whom no man would for a moment believe, he has so far obtained your faith & confidence in his disinterestedness, tenderness of heart & truehonesty, that you will convict men of on his bare word. This, is presuming too much upon your we[a]kness, your want of discrimination & your [p. 13]