Defining the Modern News Story

Directions: please read the following news article.

The following newspaper article appeared in the Sacramento

Daily Union on Nov. 13, 1857.

A man named Benjamin Hamilton was convicted before the

Recorder some time since, and sentenced to pay a fine of $50

and costs, for malicious mischief, in wounding a cow, the

property of Mrs. Jones, who resides at the corner of P and Front

streets. A motion for new trial was subsequently granted, and

the case re-tried before a jury yesterday, resulting in a verdict of

guilty, and a recommendation that the defendant be fined $5 and

costs, or be imprisoned 5 days. The verdict was confirmed by

the judgment of the Court, and the fine promptly paid. The cow

had been browsing on hay on the levee in the above vicinity,

and was seen suddenly to run across the street, “lowing

frantically,” with a hay hook sticking in her right shoulder, the

defendant being in hot pursuit. No one saw defendant commit

the offense, but as he had been seen about that time at work at

the hay, and turned from the pursuit when Mrs. Jones appeared

at her door, the presumption of his guilt was probably deemed

sufficiently strong to warrant his conviction. The trial occupied

considerable time — was warmly contested by counsel on either

side, and the merits and demerits of circumstantial evidence

were very fully discussed.

A. How does this story differ from a contemporary report of a similar incident?

B. After reading the above article, write an effective lead.Before sending along, use the following criteria to evaluate your work..

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