THE MURDER OF ANNA WIESE - ARTICLE 8
Green Mountain, Iowa
Evening Time Republican
Monday, November 10, 1893

HEADLINES

TAKES TIME TO PLEAD

Mrs. Bennett Secures Counsel and is Arraigned This Morning

Will Plead on Monday - Her Health Not Good - The Husband on Hand

SHE'LL PLEAD ON MONDAY

Mrs. Emily Bennett Chooses Counsel - Arraigned Today - Her Illness

     Mrs. Emily Bennett, accused of the murder of Anna Wiese, was arraigned before Judge Weaver this morning. She appeared by her attorneys, Binford & Binford and O. Caswell, and took till Monday to plead. This time was taken that her attorneys may inspect the indictment and decide whether or not they will demur to it. All they have to say now is that she declares that she is perfectly innocent and knows nothing whatever about the murderer.
     The accused woman's husband, C. A. Bennett, arrived in town about 8 o'clock last evening. He showed no particular surprise or anxiety in the matter except as to his wife's health. He said he was at Gladbrook seeking a doctor for her when the arrest occurred. Dr. N. E. Mighell was called to the jail yesterday and prescribed for the woman. He said she had no fever, as she claimed, but really is not well. Her stomach is out of order and she is very nervous; though she manages to keep up remarkably well in public and put on a bold front when she was arraigned this morning. Her husband will remain with her during her imprisonment. His past reputation is generally said to have been pretty fair. Mrs. Bennett was regarded as a rough woman and was not liked by her neighbors.
     The statement of the state's side of the case as made yesterday is correct and approximately complete, as far as the evidence given to the grand jury goes. Of course there are other matters that will be more fully developed on trial, particularly as to motive. Additional corroboratory circumstantial evidence will also be presented. The defense is confident of presenting a strong case, but the nature of the evidence is not developed.
     In connection with the details of the search it should be stated that the great expense of the investigation will not have to be borne by Marshall county taxpayers alone, for Governor Boies placed $500 of state funds at the disposal of County Attorney Carney very early in the work.
     Public interest in the case is very great, but there is no excitement. Mrs. Bennett has received a good many visitors at the jail today.

HEADLINES

November 14, 1893

CLEARING THE DOCKET

Mrs. Bennett Pleads Not Guilty

     A large crowd of curiosity seekers were disappointed again this morning in their expectation of seeing Mrs. Emily Bennett, who is accused of the murder of Anna Wiese. She appeared by her attorneys and entered a plea of not guilty. Her case will not come up this term.
     *Note: There were many cases in this particular article that did not pertain to the murder case as can be seen by the headlines via the words "Clearing the Docket." We chose to eliminate them in the interest of the story at hand.

HEADLINES

November 18, 1893

ADMITTED TO BAIL

Mrs. Emily Bennett Will Be Released on a $10,000 Bond

     After a lengthy argument, in which defendant's counsel did most of the talking, Judge Weaver this morning granted the motion asking that Mrs. Emily Bennett, accused of the murder of Anna Wiese, be admitted to bail, and fixed the bond at $10,000, which will be furnished. The reasons for the request were stated as follows in the motion itself:
     Because said indictment only charges the defendant with the crime of murder generally and not murder in the first degree.
     Because the indictment by its terms, for which defendant is held in custody, charges defendant with a crime less than murder in the first degree, and a crime not punishable with death.
     Because in the above entitled cause the indictment charges a crime bailable under the constitution and laws of the state of Iowa.
     Because in the above entitled action the proof against defendant is not evident and the presumption against her is not great.
     Because in the above entitled action there is no proof of defendant's guilt and no presumption whatever of her guilt, as shown by the evidence returned by the grand jury and on file in this court, which evidence is made a part hereof.
     Because in the above section the defendant is presumed to be innocent.
     Because the above case cannot be reached for trial or tried at this term of court and not before the next term thereof; and for the defendant to remain in jail of Marshall county until the next term of court would materially injure her health if not cause her death.
     Because the defendant is a sickly condition of health, and to remain in jail until the next term of court would materially and greatly injure her health as more fully appears by the annexed affidavits numbered one, two, and three, which are made a part hereof.
     Attorney Caswell commenced his argument on behalf of the motion at about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon, continuing until adjournment last evening and concluding this morning. He read a good deal of law as to indictments in support of the claim that the one in the present case does not clearly charge murder in the first degree. Affidavits were also read in regard to the state of the defendant's health. Messrs. Carney and Boardman, for the state, defended the indictment briefly. Judge Weaver then rendered his decision as above.

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