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.
arm of force than live in Civilization; when, at an unexpected hour, our property, our liberty, our lives;— all that is dear to us— that we are & have, may be wrested from us & our names consigned to ignominy by such vile P[page torn] <[page torn]jured> wretches. It is too much for [page torn] Me to Contemplate without [page torn]ing & horror! And you are now called upon to vindicate— the integrity & justice of our Courts & juries & by your [page torn] to teach th[page torn]itnisses [page torn] world that [page torn] Courts & juries Cannot b[e] m[ad]e the instruments of deliberate & premeditated Your duty is a solemn one to yourselves & your , & you will consider the you have heard as Characteristic of the base means used in this prosecution & as entering into the bulk & body of the whole case; & [illegible][illegible] from you with dignified respect for yourselves this prosecution together with the mass of corruption it has brought with it. Relying, Gentlemen, upon your discrimination & integrity I leave the case i[n y]our hands.