THE UNWRITTEN LAW.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 4, 5 June 1913, Page 6

THE UNWRITTEN LAW.

A SENSATIONAL TRIAL.

I It was recently mentioned that Professor Olsen, of Minnesota University, had been triumphantly acquitted at St. Paul, Minnesota, on a charge of murdering his wife's betrayer, the defence being a plea of unwritten law. The professor was accused of having shot dead Clyde Darling, laundryman and a 'university graduate, in the kitchen of his residence. In April, 1911, Darling began paying Mrs. Olsen attentions. He used to ring up on the University telephone and find out where Professor Olsen was, and while her husband was absent on lecturing tours would visit Mrs. Olsen. After secret meetings 'had been going on for nearly a year Mrs. Olsen's conscience beprau troubling her. According to the testimony, she repeatedly begged Darling to stay away. Later she revealed the entire' story. "He hypnotised me so that T had no power to resist him," Mrs. Olsen said, weeping. On March 5, Professor Olsen returned from a trip over the State, Mrs. Olsen was out visiting, and intended returning that day. It was late at night, and the professor was half-dozing.when he heard a sound in the yard. He went to the window, and saw a figure approaching the back door. He took his revolver and waited. As the door opened Darling, with an oath, said: "Oh! it's you, is it?" Olsen fired two shots, and both went through Darling's lung. The trial lasted six days. M rs - Olsen, a woman of remarkable beauty, highly educated, and apparently in peifect health, told the jury that she had no excuse to offer, except that Darling, who was married, temporarily fascinated her, and exercised hypnotic nower. Her husband accepted her confession, and has forgiven her freely. The wife. told.her story with perfect candor, which greatly impressed the Court, and nt the end of her sensational testimony fainted. For the prosecution, Darling's widow said that her husband was at home on the evenings Mrs. Olsen alleged he had visited her. When the jury returned a verdict of not guilty a remarkable scene occurred. Professor Olsen attempted to rise, staggered, and dropped back into his seat. He recovered his self-composure, and with streaming eyes shook hands with the .Tiidgp. the jurors and the reporters. The public cheered heartily. "There is going to be a happy re-union at the Olsen h"ir>« to-fisrht." was all the professor would say he started for home, where he was heincr awaited by his little daughter, whom he had not seen since his arrest. A few hours lated he was serenaded at his ltorno bv his sympathetic countrymen. "The State of Minnesota supports the Unwritten Law." was inscribed on one banner, and another proclaimed "Minnesota will protect the Sanctitv of the Home." A brass band nlircd "See the Conquering Hero Comes!"