The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-03-24

gument was that Flint's statemant was too improb
able to be received. Improbable, why Because,
as he contends, circumstances make against it
Mr.. B. said we must, though one lies, be governed
mainly by circumstantial evidence. We know but
few things of ourselves. We should be glad to
know as much of medicine these skilful physi-
cians-of chemistry, as this learned professor-to
understand astronomy and other sciences. But we
have not time to acquire this knowledge in our
short lives we therefore are under the necessity
of trusting to the knowledge of others.
In this case, we have the testimony to certain
extent of witness present at the tme-the testi-
mony of Flint Flint was engaged in trifiing con-
yersation and in playing backgammon at Williams
until half past in the evening Then he is called
by the prisoner to his Office, locked in, and before
Flint takes seat the prisoner reveals to him the
death of Mathews in his office. Overwhelmed by
his feelings Flint sits Gown in silence. The pris-
oner in few moments addresses him as to dspos-
ing of the body-proposes the river and the street.
But he already had struck the blows on the head,
and Flint refuses to aid any further than to carry
the body and deposit it in the wood cellar. The
manner of carrying the body down is described by
Flint; the clothes were stripped up, and SO they
were found when the body was found. The story
carries conviction with tit is positively sworn to
by a witness on the stand undergoing severe
cross examination. Mr. b. said he heard the state
ment of Flint for the first time on the stand 1t
convinced him of its truth when he heard tit
must have convinced every one. .
This is positive testimony-the kind of evidence
that the gentleman wanted. Is it entitled to cre-
dence Does every leading circumstance tend to
corroborate Flnts testimony, or to contradict 1t
Does the position of the clothes when found, dis
credit Flint or sustain him Tor the fact that the
body was found on the premises, does it tend to
show that Flint did or did not refuse to aid in carry
ing the body to the river, deposit it in the street
Mr.. B. commented on the cases of circumstantial
evidence referred to by the counsel on the other
side. In those cases where innocent men were
convicted, there was no evidence to show the actu-
al death of the alleged murdered persons. That is
not the case here. The death of Mathews is prov
ed-the poison is found in the body But if Math-
ews was not shown to be dead, all the other circum-
could be possibly consistent with the prisoners
innocence, even though the Deceased Is traced to prs-
oners office and the money is proved to be there after
he missing. But now, all the circumstances dove
tail together to make a complete case.
Mr.. b. commented on the appearance of Flint an the
stand 1t could not have been better. H3 was ques-
toned where he has boen for the last five years. week
by week, After this MIR. B. expected that some evil
dence of immortality, at least Improperly, would
have been offered or attempted-that he would have
been followed from Arson to Waterville, and from
Waterullc to Philadelphia, and something proved
against him. But nothing of the kind-not even
whisper is utte.ed. II appears that he boarded with
the Junior counsel of the prisoner for II wecks-asso
cated with the more intelligent in Watcrvle, and
possessed fair and unimpeachable character lie is
cooboraed by every material circumstance in the case.
III with Sucn SUCH positive
ny, jury refuses to convict under what clrcumstan
ces eau n conviction be had?
The conduct of Flint on that evening has been COM
mened on. 1t is for the jury to decide whether his
conduct was such to destroy the credibily of his
story. Took at the reatian of the parties The prs
of high standing and large practice.
Flint had then suspicion of mnrder he believed the
story of the prisoner; he had confidence in him he
was overcome by the facts communicated of the sud-
den death of Edward Mathews, and his then lying
dead in the Off ce. He could not rush out aud give the
bad tha
the head that the finding of the body would have
carried conviction Of murder. We do not any Of US
know what should do under such circumstances
But place yourself his age, and in his relaan to the
prisoner and what would you have done You, as
men of principle, may have rushed to the door, and
proclaimed the fact. Would that have been safe?-
Here was man who had committed one murder and
he might commit another. Two murders would not
more certainly lead TO discovery than one. Whether
the prisoner was prepared to strike him down, if he
had attempted escaping to the street, cannot be known
Whether Flint acuated by fear regard to his in
structor and friend, we cannot say. That he engaged
in the affair, with some motive, only appears
But his examination before the inquest. Much has
been said of this-toO much. 1t only appears by his
statement before the inquest that he gave false
count of his employment while at DIR CPS Office that
evening. True, MIR Oliver Paine he made further
false answers, and denied all knownedge of the muir
der. But this does not appear in the written statement
of Flint taken down before the inquest. II is said Flint
sworn to tell the whole truth, and did not tell it,
So this Oliver Paine sworn here the other
when called the Standard afterwards was called
again and made further statements of other facts. The
is true of other witnesses. MIR would make no
excuse for Flint. He was highly culpabIe. But he had
already engaged in the affair with hts friend, and with
out any advise with, his father being far from
him. he yieldsd to the circumstances in which he was
placed, and stated falsely to screen his friend.
Whist motive had Flint for swearing falsely against
the DR.. 1t cannot be screen himself. For he &C
counts for himself for the whole time from O'Clock
that evening till morning At O'Clock, and after,
Mathews alive At o'clack, and until half past
g. Flint at Williams. This is proved by Miss
Williams, Robinson and Howe. From that time till
half past 10, he is admitted by prisoner to have been
with him in his Office. From that time Flint was alb
sent with Baker at Wama', til! morning. He thus
proves an abb for the whole time
No is given by the other side why Flint should
desire duplicate the prisoner. If he had, why did
he not say that the prisoner Saturday night confess
sed the murder TO him. Thus he might have sworn
away the prisoners life, without duplicating himself
without revealing his connection with the removal Oh
the hodywhont admitting his false statements oe.are