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.
in his opening speech, by his ingenous attempt at mixing up & blending together the Statements of his witnesses with the circumstances upon which he professes to rely for conviction. I do not wish to charge the with corruption or improper motive— I am willing to attribute all these efforts at conviction through managment, trick & chicanery to his inordinate ambition— his pride of Success & love of fame. He Comes here with a reputation for Criminal prosecutions unparalelled in our & perhaps, he would not have had a rival among the Great Champions of State trials in any other Country, and Such has been his success throughout this that, it seems to be understood that when prosecutes conviction follows— guilty or innocent!— It is this enviable reputation— the glory of his highest ambition he desires to sustain by the Conviction of these defts. Consider if you please, Gentlemen, his extraordinary efforts & over zeal in this prosecution the creatures of his ambition, and it will be well to remember, when you come to hear his Concluding effort, that fame — that newlaurels are sought even at the price of innocent blood. Beware then, Gentlemen of the insideous attempts of the Prosecutor to obtain your Misplaced Confidence: they are not for the purposes of justice but success. With what face [p. 2]