State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-04-26

Thos. Trickey Hiram Kellogg
]. Il. Norcross Jacob Rich
Ira Smith Paul Templeton
Lovel Kelton Mark n. Dodge
This being the first instance of a capital
trial in this county, it made quite draft on
public curiosity. At an early hour large
concourse of citizens assembled at the Old
State House, which had been opened for
the occasion. Many ladies resorted to the
gallery, that apartment being reserved for
their accommodation.
A little after o'clock, the prisoner was
brought into Court, and placed upon the
platform. Morley is apparently about DO
years of age, of middlng stature. His
face presented evident tokens of intempe-
rance, and his countenancc Indicated deep
melancholy.
The Clerk read to him the Indictment, in
which the prisoner is charged with commit
ting murder by inhicting blows upon John
Corrigan, at Montpelier, on Saturday the
2nd of April, 1886. When the reading was
finished, Morley answered, emphatically,
p" Not Guilty."
The witnesses on the part of the govern
ment then presented themselves at the call
of the States Attorney. Some of them,
being of the Catholic faith, were allowed
to swear according 10 their custom, that is,
by taking the Bible while receiving the OATH
and then kissing the book. AS the witnesses
were called upon to tell their story in their
own way, much of the testimony elected
was not material to the case. Frequently
the answers of the witnesses were inaudi-
bic. We took brief notes of the testimony,
prcsuming some account of the trial would
not he unacceptable to our readers.
Note. 1t ought TO be understood that
the affray took place at the lower end of
Barre street. Morricys house is littleb it
of hut on the brink of the river, a few
rods above the Arch Bridge. Nc Minus,
one of the witnesses, is next neghbor, liv-
ing in the shop Building few rods below,
and adjoining the Bridge.
Mrs. Mc.Hin1S, S,0orn. Witness states
that Oh Saturday evening, April I'd, on
opening her door, saw Morley and Corri-
gan but few rods from the door, Prison.
er told Corrigan to go right off home. Cor
rigan said he would go when he had mind
to. Morley then threatened to strike Cor
rgan. Corrigan said if you won't strike,
I'll go. Morley said he'd give him one
blow at any rate. Witness saw Morley
swing the club or billet and heard the blow;
it was somewhat dark witness had no light
and could not see distinctly; club appeared
like split stick of wood. Saw Corrigan
after the affray and says he vomited three
times; the last time, clattered blood was
thrown up. Says Corrigan died between
6 and z o'clock, Sunday the Sd April.
Cross Examined.
Don't know whether prisoner bad hold
of Corrigan or not. Deceased was at wit
ness house on Saturday had a bottle of
rum; offered some to witness and husband,
but both declined drinking. Don't recollect
who was about, she was so scared. Witness
saw Corrigan fall; says he laid on the
ground about half an hour; supposed he
was drunk didn't then think he would
die. Witness considerably agtated, but
rather intelligent.)
Patrick .Mc.Mnus. Witness says prisoner
and Corrigan were both drunk Heard
prisoner tell Corrigan to go home heard
Morley strike deceased heard two blows
after Corrigan fell. Witness sezed Morri
cy and told him to strike no more; told
him he had killed Conigan. Prisoner took
witness by the collar. Corrigan was carried
into the house vomited twice naturally,
and once raised blood died Sunday morn
ing after day light. Witness CAN'T say how
big or how long the bIudgeon was.
Cross Examined.
Witness did not hear prisoner threaten
did not suppose Corrigan would die told
prisoner he had killed him to frightcn pris-
oner off; it was pretty dark ; deceased vom-
tied like a drunken man.
Doci. Spalding. Was called OIL the Sd of
April to examine the body Found marks
Of three blows; one the temple, one on the
right shoulder and one on the left arm; cut
down upon the scull near the confusion
found the scull beaten in forward of the
ear; skull broken l l2 inch in length, 3
inches in width, opening into the brain of
| l-2 inch, Witness has no doubt that the
fracture caused death. Witness thinks it
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