Jim Kershner’s this day in history

In a rare event in the history of Idaho jurisprudence, a procession including judge, jury, defendant, bailiff, reporters and lawyers made a half-mile walk to the home of Levi Laird, outside Coeur d’Alene.

Why?

Because Laird’s testimony was needed in the Isaac Coplen murder trial, and Laird was too sick with rheumatism to make the trip to the court.

So the court went to him.

They all trekked to his living room. Laird was wheeled in on his bed and propped up by pillows. Court was convened and testimony taken.

William A. Fondren was charged with shooting Coplen in a barn after Coplen attempted to serve Fondren with papers in a land dispute.

Laird’s testimony involved conversations he had taken part in with both men.

The most awkward part of this unusual court session? The accused murderer and the victim’s brother “were compelled to stand side-by-side” for the entire session, due to lack of space.

Also on this date:

(From the Associated Press)

1513: Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon sighted present-day Florida. … 1911: Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was incorporated. … 1942: American servicemen were granted free mailing privileges. … 1968: Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first man to orbit the Earth, died in a plane crash.