Amanda Olson's trial began Dec. 4, 1890, barely over two months after the shooting. She found herself in 3rd District Court of Utah Territory under presiding federal judge Charles S. Zane, a major figure in the conflicts between the LDS Church and Congress. His former colleague, O.W. Powers, often called Judge Powers, was counsel for the defense. The courtroom was crowded with spectators by 10 a.m. Miss Olson sat "attired in deep mourning and also heavily veiled, so that her features were not at all visible." Jury selection was a long and tedious process, reported in painful detail. The next day, District Attorney (Charles S.) Varian briefly outlined the case for the prosecution.Deseret News, Dec. 5, 1890
Mr. Varian besought the jury to come to a conclusion entirely upon the evidence to be brought before them, and entreated them not to act in one single particular upon what they had already heard or read of the case. This case was an important one both as concerned the defendant and the people. His duty, that of the jury, and all concerned in the trial was to conduct it with due solemnity, acting throughout fairly and impartially.
The prosecution called its witnesses. W.A. Stanton, chief of the city's fire department, told of being at the scene of the shooting where he examined Hall's body and of talking with Mrs. Hart, who said Hall had been killed by Amanda Olson. He saw Olson later at the police court, where "she seemed wild and excited in her manner." Chief of police Lange, Desk Sergeant McCurdy, Police Justice Laney and City Marshal Young all testified to Amanda Olson's sudden appearance at the police station after the shooting, when she said she had shot Hall. He read into the court record the letter Amanda Olson wrote on Sept. 29.
Answering a question put by her attorney, Judge Powers, he said, "I should say that when the defendant came to the police station she was suffering from extreme agitation; her face was pallid, and there was a wild, hunted look in her eyes. . . . she did not have the appearance of a sane person."
This response was important to the defense, which would plead temporary insanity.
The prosecution also presented an employee of Evans gun store, who said she came in on Sept. 29, the day she wrote the letter, and bought a revolver. He thought she was a teacher. Another employee said she came back later that day to have a broken trigger spring replaced in the pistol.
The Defense
Judge Powers then proceeded to make his opening address for the defense.
He said he would make no contention against the fact that Amanda Olson killed Frank Hall. But they would show that at the time the pistol was discharged, Miss Olson was not responsible, morally or legally, for the act.
The defendant was 22 years of age. In the fall of 1889, she was introduced by Mrs. Hart to Frank Hall. She was not familiar with the ways of the world. She was a modest, shy, virtuous girl. She had never had a lover, and aided her father in her support by her work daily. After the introduction, Hall commenced paying her attention. He was an experienced man of the world and knew the arts by which to win a woman's love, and he undertook to win the heart of this girl. He was married, but he told this girl that he could at any time secure a divorce, and later on he would do so, and would marry her. She was light-hearted and happy, and was the light of her home. She had given to him her whole heart and soul, and the man knew it.
He also won the confidence of the parents, so that when he was sick they cared for him. It ran on until one night, while sitting with her in her own home, he made an assault upon her, and afterwards told her that he had done it so that he might be sure of her. He besought her to keep the secret and he would marry her just as soon as he could. That man never visited her again, and afterwards left the city and was gone ten months.
Miss Olson changed from a gay, light-hearted girl, to a melancholy and sad-hearted person. Then her health failed her and she was unable to go to her work regularly. Her whole physical and mental nature changed, and she became a victim of melancholia, a type of insanity.
O. W. Powers related how Amanda Olson heard that Hall had returned and tried to meet with him to resolve the situation. When they met at the Cafe Louvre in a private room, Hall "simply laughed at her." The family decided to send her to California, he said, but then the girl became possessed of an idea.
From that moment she was irresponsible, although she became cool, calm and collected. She then went to Evans' gun store and bought that pistol, which was the first one she had ever had in her hand in her life. She returned home and wrote that letter. Then she sat there snapping the pistol. In doing so she broke the spring, and went back to the store to get another, as she expected to leave the city the next day.
She had no idea that she would meet Hall on the way home. When she was going up C Street she saw Mrs. Hart and Hall coming toward her. She stopped at the corner of First Street; why she stood there she did not know. The pistol was in her dress pocket, and undoubtedly, up to this moment she had no idea of shooting him. But when he came up to her, she made her last appeal, saying: "Oh, Frank, how can you torture me so cruelly." He paid no attention to her and passed on.
The next thing Amanda Olson knew, Frank Hall was lying on the ground dead, while she had the smoking pistol in her hand. From the moment she made the appeal until after the shot was fired, her mind was a blank . . . .
In conclusion Judge Powers stated that he expected to prove to the satisfaction of the jury that the accused was insane at the time of committing the deed.
Deseret News, Dec. 6 and 7, 1890
When court resumed the next morning scarcely a vacant seat was to be found in the courtroom. Several defense witnesses were called, and then Amanda Olson took the stand.
Amanda Olson testifies
The accused was then placed upon the stand for examination by counsel for the defense. Her bearing was calm and collected, and she answered the questions put to her by Judge Powers without the least hesitation, though speaking in a rather low tone of voice.
She testified -- I am the defendant in this case; I am twenty-two years old; was born and raised in this city; have lived nowhere else; I attended school for a number of years in the Twentieth Ward; for three years I have been employed at Pearson's knitting factory; I know Mrs. Hart; have done so ever since I can remember. . . .
While out riding (with Frank Hall) on one occasion he told me that he had separated from his wife, and inquired if he could call at my parents' residence and speak to me personally and pay his addresses to me; I referred him to my parents; he obtained their permission and called at our house regularly twice a week for some time; he told me that in the sight of God he was then a free man, but within one year he said he would be divorced by the law of the land; he was cultured and prepossessing in manner and appearance; I came to love him with my whole heart; he often broached the subject of marriage to me and asked me to become his wife; I told him I wanted a year to consider the matter.
I well remember the occasion of his last visit to our house; he remained until eleven o'clock; we were alone in the parlor during the entire evening; my parents had retired; he threw a handkerchief over my face; I attempted to scream but could not; when I became conscious he was rubbing my hands in order to assist in my more rapid recovery to consciousness; he informed me that he had now accomplished his purpose and gave as a reason for so doing that he wished to "make sure of me;" he pleaded with me to keep his diabolical deed a secret; I did so to conceal my shame.
Amanda Olson testified he never visited her again and left town. Ten months later she saw him pass her house, so she dressed hastily and went to meet him.
I insisted on knowing whether he intended to keep his promise and as far as possible redeem my honor; at his request my mother left us and I went with him to a room in an hotel on Commercial Street, where I pled with him to keep his pledge and marry me; he replied, "Amanda, I never intended to marry you; Mrs. Hall is my mistress and that is sufficient;" he then attempted to repeat the awful deed he committed in the parlor of my parents' residence ten months before, when I felled him to the floor with a chair.
On Monday (the day of the killing) I went down town with my mother to look at a trunk. After doing this I left her and started for Auerbachs', but instead of stopping there I went to Evans' gun store and bought a revolver. I cannot say what induced me to do this. I then went home with my mother and wrote the letter which has been introduced here.
After finishing this I went back to Evans' store and got the pistol fixed. Then I started to go home and had no idea that I would meet Hall. I was going up C Street and had passed First when I saw Hall and Mrs. Hart coming toward me. I felt that I could not meet them and turned back with the intention of going around the block, but I stopped near the corner. When they reached me I asked Hall how he could torture me so cruelly. He made no reply. The next I remember is seeing Hall lying on the car track. I did not hear the report of the pistol nor see the flash . . . .
Judge Powers -- What induced you to shoot Frank Hall that night?
Miss Olson -- I don't know.
Judge Powers -- Do you remember shooting him?
Miss Olson -- I do not. All I remember is seeing him lying on the street-car track.
Deseret News, Dec. 8, 1890
When the trial resumed the following day, Judge Zane posted court officers at the doors to prevent any unnecessary crush of spectators. A number of defense witnesses testified, including reporters who were in the police station when Amanda Olson arrived with her pistol and letter. They all said she did not seem normal. Bolstered by their testimonies, her attorney, O.W. (Judge) Powers called witnesses to support the defense strategy of temporary insanity. A Dr. Hamilton, who said he had some experience with cases of insanity, came to the stand.
Judge Powers -- What do you say as to whether it indicates to your mind melancholia? Witness replied certainly.
Judge Powers -- State whether or not melancholia is a type of insanity.
Witness -- It is.
Finally, the court adjourned to hear closing arguments the next day.