Lynching Averted, But Justice Still Elusive for Harry Hayward

A tense standoff between justice and mob rule nearly ended in catastrophe in Minneapolis last week. On March 10, 1895, a jury delivered a guilty verdict in the trial of Harry Hayward for the murder of Catherine Kinnear. The verdict was met with a mixture of relief and outrage, as the crowd outside the courtroom threatened to lynch Hayward if he had been acquitted.

The trial, which had been highly publicized due to the sensational nature of the crime, ended with a swift deliberation of only two hours. The jury’s decision was met with a sense of inevitability, given the overwhelming evidence against Hayward.

However, the real drama came after the verdict was announced. Hayward’s lawyer, Mr. Erwin, was taken to St. Paul, and a stay of proceedings was granted until next week, when a motion will be made for a new trial. If this is refused, an appeal will be taken to the Supreme Court.

The specter of mob violence had hung over the trial throughout, and it’s a miracle that Hayward was able to avoid a terrible fate. The crowd outside the courtroom was large and volatile, and it’s clear that the situation could have easily spiralled out of control.

The case against Hayward was built on the testimony of multiple witnesses, who placed him at the scene of the crime. The prosecution presented a convincing case, and the jury’s verdict was a foregone conclusion.

As the trial came to a close, one thing was clear: justice had been served, but only just. The threat of mob violence had hung over the proceedings like a sword of Damocles, and it’s a wonder that Hayward was able to escape with his life.

In the end, the rule of law prevailed, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of mob rule and the importance of upholding the law.