The LESCHI Murder Trial as Transcribed from the Official Court Ledger, 2nd Judicial District, Wash. Terr., 1856 - 1858

Prepared March 1, 2001 by Sherburne F. Cook, Jr. The official Court Proceedings of the second and third sentencing are recorded in the official Court Ledger for the 2nd Judicial District; Olympia, Thurston County, W.T., from which the following transcription has been taken. The Ledger picks up the Trial action on March 18, 1857.

On November 13, 1856, Leschi, a Puget Sound Indian, surrendered himself to W.T. authorities for the alleged murder of A. Benton Moses, a white settler whom Leschi and others considered a casualty of the on-going Indian wars of the time. The authorities thought differently, however, and indicted and tried Leschi for murder shortly after his surrender. The Jury that was convened in the Pierce County Judicial District at that time was unable to agree on a verdict and was discharged.