placed in jail…
source date: 1891
availability: public-domain

t was a sad affair; that no malice was intended and that it was done and couldn’t be helped, and further- more, said that Scotty hadn’t anything to do with it. The wounds on the deceased’s head had been inflicted by a heavy blunt instrument like a crowbar. placed in jail. Doctor Slough was called in to dress his wounds, and it was then ascertained that the wounds were quite serious ; there was one at the back of the head which had appar- ently been inflicted by a heavy blunt instru- ment, and three on the left side of the head cover the motor centres. Finding the wounds of this description Dr. Slough at once requested the assistance of another physician and Dr. Guthrie was summoned. It was found that a complete mat had been formed of dry blood, sand and hair, on the side of the head, indicat- ing that the flow of blood had been checked by a pressure on that side of the head, which had continued long enough to dry the wound and check the blood flow. Drs.

ound that a complete mat had been formed of dry blood, sand and hair, on the side of the head, indicat- ing that the flow of blood had been checked by a pressure on that side of the head, which had continued long enough to dry the wound and check the blood flow. Drs. Slough, Guthrie and Woodville testified that the wound on the back of the head must have caused immediate unconsciousness which must have lasted for sev- eral hours, and that the effect of the blows on the side of the head was to paralyze or render helpless the defendant’s right arm, and that after receiving the blows which he did, that it would have been impossible for him to have in- flicted the blows which Jim Kerr had evidently received. The conclusion therefore to be drawn was, that Barney was not guilty unless Jimmie had received his wounds before Barney got his. The defendant’s attorney under the advice of Dr. Slough had Jimmie Kerr’s body exhumed and a post mortem examination made. Drs. Slough and Woodville conducted the post mor- tem examination, and in order that no doubt could arise as to the nature of the deceased’s wounds, they were photographed with the scalp on the head, and also after it was removed.

xhumed and a post mortem examination made. Drs. Slough and Woodville conducted the post mor- tem examination, and in order that no doubt could arise as to the nature of the deceased’s wounds, they were photographed with the scalp on the head, and also after it was removed. It was thus shown beyond the shadow of a doubt, that it was impossible for the deceased to have inflicted the wounds on Barney after the wounds had been inflicted on himself. The opinion of the physicians as to the effects of Barney’s wound were supported by the most eminent medical authorities; a number of passages from medical books were read to the jury. The strongest point against the defendant was his own admission, but the physicians testified that it frequently happened that a man after receiv- ing such wounds as Barney had, would give accounts of the transaction even in detail, and the account would be entirely false, although made in perfect good faith. ( 40 )