Charged With First Degree Murder, in the Alleged

Killing of Walter

Vining, Dec. 18.

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LARSON ALSO

MAKES NOT GUILTY PLEA FRIDAY

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He Is Charged With

Second Degree

Manslaughter in Death of Violet Johnson, April 28.

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Two murder trials are on the docket in the district court at St. Peter, in Nicollet county. Hugo Albrecht, twenty-one-year old Mankato youth, Tuesday morning with which he was indicted by the Nicollet county grand jury last week. He is charged with the murder of Walter Vining, Bel-grade township farmer, December 18,1925. Oscar Larson, Mankato youth is charged with manslaughter in the second degree, in the death of Miss Violet Johnson of Judson, an Immanual hospital nurse, in an auto accident April 28.

Both Will Stand Trial.

Both youths will stand trial. They were arraigned Friday. Albrecht was given additional time to plead, as he had no attorney. The court appointed Henry N. Benson, wellknown St. Peter attorney as his counsel. Albrecht came into court Tuesday morning and pleaded not guilty. It had been surmised that he would plead guilty, but he will stand trial.

Larson pleaded not guilty Friday and will also stand trial. It is anticipated the Albrecht trial will com-mence Monday of next week. Judge A. H. Enersen is on the bench.

Extenuating circumstances and no motive for the crime will be two points upon which the defense will build its case, according to information received here. Testimony to show that no enmity existed between Albrecht and Vining will be offered it is believed and that until the time of the tragedy the two were good friends.

Vining was attacked in the yard of his lonely farmhouse, just about dusk on Friday, December 18, by a man unknown and wearing a masquerade mask. Before the eyes of his wife and children he was assaulted and finally shot in the left breast. The bullet inflicted a wound which brought about his death on the following day.

Albrecht Was Accused.

Albrecht was held for investigation in the case and later arrested when Mrs. Walter Vining and her children testified that the man who attacked “Walter” was Albrecht. Vining, himself, before he died, signed a statement and declared that Albrecht shot him according to the testimony offered at a coroner’s inquest.

For some time Albrecht denied any connection with the affair but later confessed to having been at the farm. The case has proven to be a spectacular one in view of the testimony given by the widow and large crowds were attracted to the preliminary hearing last December, at which time after a three-hours’ examination, held before Justice E. E. Miller, the defendant was bound over to the May term of district court.

Killed During Joyride.

The grand jury indicted Larson for manslaughter in the second degree, for actions leading up to the death of Miss Violet Johnson of Judson, on the evening of April 28, near North Mankato. Albrecht, in company with Miss Johnson and several other young men and nurses of the Immanuel hospital at Mankato, took a joyride. They were returning home, and it is alleged, were going at a high rate of speed. The car in which they were riding overturned and Miss Johnson was injured so critically in the smash that she died almost as soon as she was taken to the hospital. Officers placed Larson under arrest and he was placed in the county jail at St. Peter.

Brown County Journal

May 14, 1926