Reading Time: 2 minutes [304 words]

LEO M. FRANE. 251

THE SPEECHES TO THE JURY.

MR, HOOPER FOR THE STATE.
August 21,

Mr. Hooper. Gentlemen of the Jury: The object of this
trial, as well as all other trials, is the ascertainment of truth
and the attainment of justice. In the beginning, I want to
have it understood that we are not secking a verdict of guilty
against the defendant unless he is guilty.

The burden of guilt is upon our shoulders—we confront
the undertaking of putting it upon his. We recognize that
it must be done beyond a reasonable doubt, and that it must
be done purely by the evidence which we have produced be-
fore you,

We have cheerfully assumed this burden. We have cheer-
fully undertaken the task, but, there is not a single man on
the prosecution who would harm a hair of the defendant’s
head wrongfully. We want him given the same measure of
justice that should be meted to all classes of defendants. He
is entitled, though, to the same degree of law as any other
prisoner. But, he is not entitled -to any more because of his
wealth or social position. The arm of the law is strong
enough to reach to the highest pinnacle of position and drag
down the guilty, and strong enough to probe into the gutter
and drag up the lowest.

There is not a case in the history of Georgia that has been.
as long end as important as this. With this importance,
there arises a great degree of responsibility that rests upon
your shoulders, I call your attention to the facta and law as
they will be given you in the charge—your only instructions,
the ordera by which you will be guided in the end.

There is one thing I want to say, and that is this: This
man should not be convicted purely because the law is seek-
ing a victim. The law doesn’t demand it. It demands only
that you seek the truth, the absolute trath, the showing of

Related Posts