The Tragedy at the Bridge
A jury in Kitsap County convicts a man of murder in the first degree, despite his claim that the fatal shooting of Billy Fletcher was a tragic accident sparked by a dispute over a dog.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The jury in the case of Serinus Rutten, charged with the willful and malicious murder of William H. Fletcher on the evening of September 1, brought in a verdict of murder in the first degree. The finding was a surprise to everyone. Rutten, who detailed in broken English how Fletcher had approached him on a bridge, threatened him with a rock, and demanded money for a dog, claimed his shotgun discharged accidentally when he cocked it to protect himself. The trial, which turned into a sensational spectacle for the region, culminated in the jury traveling by steamer to the scene of the shooting in Chico to inspect the cottage and porch where the incident occurred. Rutten, an ex-soldier, was taken to the county jail in Seattle following the verdict. His attorney has given notice that he will apply for a new trial.
“The prisoner was deadly pale but gave no greater evidence of emotion than a slight twitching of the muscles of the face.”
This trial highlights the intense civic interest in criminal justice as public theater in early Washington, where local communities would gather in droves for sensational court cases. The 'Chico' mentioned as the scene of the crime is the now-quiet community near Silverdale, illustrating how rapidly the landscape of Kitsap County has transformed from rural homesteads to modern suburban residential areas.
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