Lassen Advocate, Susanville, California 1 September 1898 2;2 - Held to Answer. J.W. Arnett Jr who attempted to kill his wife at Hayden Hill in this county, July 25th, was brought before Justice of the Peace Blake for a preliminary examination last Tuesday. The examination was conducted by District Attorney Barry and E.V. Spencer appearing for Arnett. As a result of the examination the prisoner was placed under bonds of $6,000 to wait trial in Superior Court for attempted wife murder. 6 October 1898 3;4 - Died. In Bieber, Cal., September 22, 1898 John W. Arnett, a native of Illinois aged about 71 years. 8 December 1898 3;4 - A Miscarriage of Justice. Last Friday evening the jury in the case of J.W. Arnett, charged with assault to commit murder, after being out about half an hour, came into Court with the following verdict: "We the jury in the above entitled case find the defendant J.W. Arnett guilty of an assault upon the person of Mrs. Belinda Arnett, with a deadly weapon." It is a fact that n verdict of a jury in this county for years has rendered so general and emphatic condemnation as to the above. After shooting at his wife several times, and wounding her in two places, the defendant Arnett attempted to cut her throat with a pocket knife. That he was prevented from carrying out his manifested purpose by the interference of a son, seems to have created a doubt in the minds of the jury, judging from the verdict, as to what Arnett's intentions were. If he had killed his wife, the case would have been relieved of the complications somewhat, and he might easily have accomplished this with the manifestation of one half the intent and purpose displayed. Now, this jury in the Arnett case was composed of good men, reputable and law abiding citizens. Judging from the short time spent in deliberations there was but one sentiment with regard to the fact of the defendant's guilt. There was no reason why they should not have returned a verdict in full accordance therewith: and this, we are assured the jury sought to do-arriving at this verdict through a misapprehension of the penalties prescribed-and in this way were led into a miscarriage of justice. We are told, and it is doubtless true, that fixing a degree of crime that would call for a sentence of from five to ten years; and that some of the jurors were astounded when informed that two years in State Prison or in the County Jail, or a fine of $5,000 one or both was the extreme penalty that could be inflicted upon their finding in this case. 8 December 1898 2;2 - The sentence of J.W. Arnett for "assault with a deadly weapon" will be delayed for a time by divorce proceedings and the determination of certain property rights between the defendant and Mrs. Belinda Arnett.