The People v. Mutter

The brothers, Max and Martin Mutter, were convicted of the crime of arson by a jury in the circuit court of LaSalle county. Martin’s wife, Bessie, was tried with them, and acquitted. Max and Martin were represented by separate counsel and have filed separate briefs here. They claim it was error to deny their motions for separate trials.

The building which the People claim was burned by defendants was located on the south side of Main street in Ottawa. It was a two-story brick building to which Bessie Mutter had legal title. On the east side of the first floor, which was about 40 feet wide and…