JUNE 18 AND JULY 2, 1956

June 18, 1956

HEADLINE: MACKINNON BACK FROM WASHINGTON PARLEY ON TAYLOR

District Attorney Has No Comment to Make on Purpose of Conference


George MacKinnon, United States District Attorney, returned to Minneapolis Thursday from a conference with Department of Justice officials in Washington concerning the James P. Taylor case.


The prosecutor reportedly took up the question of how the government might properly withdraw its formal request that a jury be impaneled in Minneapolis federal court to pass on a possible death sentence for Taylor for the slaying of Kenneth Lindbergh, Thief River Falls, Minnesota banker.

Judge Gunnar Nordbye has said that he would continue the request under advisement pending MacKinnon’s return.


MacKinnon said Friday he has no comment concerning his discussion of the case with department officials.
It is expected the court may invite Consul for both the government and Taylor to discuss the case before the government’s motion for the jury to be ruled upon.
The court has the power to sentence Taylor to a maximum of life imprisonment for the November 12 slaying. Only a jury has the power to inflict the death penalty under federal law.



Monday, July 2, 1956

HEADLINE: JUDGE TO RULE ON TAYLOR CASE NEXT THURSDAY

To Announce Decision on Issue of Calling Jury to Decide Slayer’s Penalty


Judge Gunnar H Nordbye said Friday in Minneapolis he will rule at 9 AM, Thursday, July 5, on government motions to impanel a jury qualified to inflict the death penalty on James Taylor, 31, for kidnapping and murder of Kenneth Lindbergh, Thief River Falls bank cashier, last November.


Taylor has admitted the slaying November 12, and the theft of nearly $60,000 with travelers checks and cash.
Planning to attend the hearing are L. W. Rulien, Pennington County Attorney and Sheriff Arthur Rambeck.


In arguments at a hearing last month, George MacKinnon, United States District Attorney, contended the punishment of Taylor for the crime should be fixed by a jury. New paragraph only a jury under federal law is the power to inflict capital punishment.


As an alternative, MacKinnon suggested life imprisonment be imposed by the court without a jury.
In opening summation of the case, to a jury Taylor Court appointed attorneys, Nemerov and Riordan, argued such a hearing would require months and cost thousands of dollars.


MacKinnon returned recently from Washington where he reportedly discuss this phase of the case with Department of Justice officials.