Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1903 — David Brockus Acquitted. [ARTICLE]

David Brockus Acquitted.

The Jury Found He Killed the Man In Self Defense. David E. Brookus a former regular resident of Fair Oaks, and an occasional inmate of the Jasper county jail, bad his trial last week, at Livingston, Montana. The faot that he had killed a man out there waa published in this paper, at the time, though none of the particulars have heretofore been reoeived here, A copy of the Livingston Enterprise of Febrnary 7th has -been reoeived giving an account of the trial, inclading the principal evidenoe in the same. The Livingston paper summarizes the killing and the trial, with the following statement: A jury of twelve good and true men have deoided that when David E. Brockus shot and killed Fred W. Bishir be did only what he had a right to do, The case oame to trial in the distriot court on Monday last. Brockus was employed last summer at the Bishir ranch. He and his wife lived on the plaoe and be and bis wife did the cooking for all of the employes of the ranch. On the morning of the 30th of August last Brockos and his wife failed to arise on time and Fred Bishir apnt his son Ralph to the house to get breakfast. The boy’s arrival aroused the Brookns people and some words passed between Brockos and the lad, with the result that the latter was knooked down by Brookns. The lad then left the house and complained to his father who, when Brockus appeared shortly after ward, attacked him and, according to Brookus’ story, threatened to kill him. Brockns stated that he had warned Bishir to keep back but his warning was unheeded, and as a measure of self defense he Was obliged to shoot him. He stated that he intended to shoot him only in the leg. but that Bishir knocked his arm up and that the bullet took fatal effect in consequence. Following this general statement the Enterprise gives the evidence of each witness, in detail, Bishir was not armed when he was shot. He was a little taller than Brockos, but not so heavily bnilt. A number of witnesses testified that Bishir was of a quarrelsome disposition, No evidences however was introduced as to,Brookus’ reputative in that respect. If the history of his cutting and slashing back here in Indiana had been shown at the 1 trial it might perhaps have oaused a different verdiot. The jury was out about 6 hours, and at first are said to have stood 7 for acquittal to 5 for conviction but on the fourth ballet agreed to acquit.