Evidence Wasn't Strong Enough

EVIDENCE WASN'T STRONG ENOUGH
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To Warrant Holding Charles McKernan
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FOR DE-RAILING A CAR
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Only Himself to Blame for His Position-- Past Conduct Was Against Him
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     Charles McKernan, charged by the D., Y., A. A. & J. with attempting to derail one of their cars March 22, by placing a plank on the track, was discharged by Justice Doty last Friday.
     "I don't consider the evidence against you to be sufficiently strong to warrant my binding you over for trial," said the Justice to McKernan, "but I do think that you have only yourself to blame for finding yourself facing a serious charge. If your conduct in the past had been of a different nature, if you had been above reproach in every respect you would undoubtedly not have fallen under suspicion in the present case. Your fondness for liquor is your besetting sin look to it that you overcome this weakness." 
      So strongly had the young man's case impressed the Justice that after it had been dismissed he spoke privately to McKernan along the same line of thought, urging him to brace up.
     McKernan was the only witness heard this morning, it being the conclusion of the examination. He stated that he was riding back to Ann Arbor from Ypsilanti on the D., Y., A. A. & J. car that leaves at 11:45 p. m. and that in the course of the trip he became involved in an altercation with Conductor Smalley. As a result he left the car at the stone school house without paying his fare, but being under the impression that the car he had been on was the last one that night for Ann Arbor he hailed a car bound back for Ypsilanti. The car did not stop, however, and as one headed for Ann Arbor appeared shortly afterwards, he signaled it, and being successful this time in attracting the motorman's attention, boarded it and came home.
     McKernan said that while he was waiting at the school house a stranger came along and asked for a match.
     When the car from which McKernan had been ejected, returned from Ann Arbor, the motorman found a plank on the track not far from where the young man had been left.
     The evidence against McKernan was wholly circumstantial and Prosecuting Attorney Duffy stated that he had grave doubts of there being much possibility of securing a conviction in the circuit court.
     McKernan informed the Justice that he has "braced up" and is not a teetotaler. He is an electrician, and is about 25 years of age.