Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-04-19
THE SICKLES TRIAL.
THIRTEENTH DAY.


ed and were excused from further attendance
till this day fortnight. This would indicate an
intention on the part of the Judge to admit the
evidence offered.
Counsel for the prosecution are inundated
with country newspapers, containing editorial
comments in regard to the conduct of this trial
The counsel have little time, however, to read
or profit by the sage suggestions therein made.
Mr.. Ould proceeded with his argument
against the admission of evidence to prove
adultery. He referred to Mr. Brady question.
Mr. Brady.-We utterly refuse to enter into
any discussion except what relates to the point
now before the Court.
The JUDGES DECIsIoN.-The argument
being closed, Judge Crawford gave an elabo-
rate decision of the question. He decided that
the evidence offered to prove adultery must be
admitted, The defense might prove the fact
OF adultery, and also that this fact was known
to the prisoner at the time of the homicide,
because in the existing state of the evidence
already before the court, they are entitled to
present further evidence on the same point.
A mass of testimony has been received going
to show the adulterous intercourse, the fire.
quent visits of Key to the neighbOrhOod of the
prisoners house, and the exhibition of hand
kerchief and what do these things mean
BY themselves, they might signify little,
or might have more or less influence on
any particular point raised. The jury must
pass on them, on all the evidence, which they
cannot do without full knowledge of what the
testimony imports. And it is important to
have explained to the jury what was meant by
the prisoners declaration, at the time of the
homicide, that Key had violated his bed. This
is the prisoners right.
The Judge referred to his ruling in the case
of Jarboe, and extended his statement of the
decision to considerable length. The hearing
OF the testimony was then resumed
The silence in the Court, as Judge Crawford
pronounced this decision was almost painful,
and as he closed there was perceptible though
silent expression of satisfaction
Mrs. Nancy Brown was recalled Examined
by Mr.. Ratclife.-I was sufficiently acquainted
with Mr.. Key to know him The last time |
saw him was ON the Wednesday before he was
shot, when he went into the house on Fifteenth
street; ! saw him take key cut of his pocket,
unlock the door, and go in. He came cut in
about an hour after | am acquainted with
Mrs Sickles; ! saw her go backwards and
forwards often / saw her go in, and then out
the back way. He would go to the back gate
and let her out, and then he would come out
of the front door.
QuestOn--How long were they in the
house
Answer.-About an hour.
Queston.-How did you know it was Mrs
Sickles
Answer--I enquired at different times
saw Mrs Sickes at her own house after that,
and knew she was the lady | had seen 90 into
that house
Question.-How often, before the Wednes-
day referred to, had you seen her go into the
house
Answer saw her go in three times be-
fore, when he unlocked the door, taking the
key from his pocket; saw Mrs. Sickles go
with him and have hold of his arm, except on
the Wednesday before Mr.. Key was killed.
Queston.-What time elapsed between
these three times you saw them GO in2
Answer--About a week. l saw them go
in there three times within three weeks
Witness, continued.-Key came up to my
door in October he rode up; he stepped on
the porch and asked me whether the house
was occupied l said no. He asked me who
the house belonged to. Referred him to a col
ored man named John Gray, who lived some
where on Capitol hill, and told him that the
colored people could give him all information
about it He came about three weeks after,
and tied his horse to nay tree. / asked him
whether he did not know that was against the
law.
Mr. Ould-I suppose that is not evidence
Witness-I asked him not to tie his horse
there again.
Mr. 0uld-That is not evidence Stop, Mrs
Brown
Witness-1 was only telling you what it YVES.
He said, l won't tie it there any more, He
said, have rented this house for friend of
mine, and want to see how it is situated. |
did not know whether it was for a member or
senator. He then united his horse and went
away Never spoke to him any more.
Questionable you notice what Mr.. Key had
with him
Answer.-I noticed, ON the Wednesday be-
fore he was shot, he had on a shawl when he
went in; it was on his left arm, but had none
when he came out. When he first came to
the house, we laughed when we saw the smoke
come out of the chimney. He went down into
the yard and got the wood to make fire
Saw white string tied to the up stairs shut
ter, so that when the wind blew, it would
swing
Question.-Have you seen the shawl sinces
Answer.-I saw the shawl, but know there
are so many alike, ! don't like to swear to this
one
Mr.. Ratcfe to officer-Tell Mr. Mann to
bring the shawl in.
Witness.-I didn't want to tell a lie
A shawl was produced. 1t had grey red
border.
Witness, examinng.-This looks like it.
He had it folded up on his left arm.
Question.-How was Mrs. Sickles dressed 2
dress; she wore it OPEN and she had black
Raglan, cloak as call it, fringed with bu-
giles, and a black velvet shawl, with lace, and
l saw her in brown dress, like travelling
dress, the Wednesday she went in and out the
back way, where they put the wood. The
mud was four or five inches deep. The alley
was not paved.
Question-What was the state of the wealth
er
Answer-It was always fair when / saw
them.
Mr.. Ould--That is not evidence.
Mr.. Brady-You say Mr.. Key told you he
hired it for senator or member; did anybody
occupy itexcept Mr. Key and the lady
Answer never saw any one go in but
themselves. l am sure l did not
To Mr. Graham.-Saw them go up and turn
back. They saw two policemen standing
down X street They were at the gate. Twas
at my gate. They went up Fifteenth street as
far as j could see them.
Mr.. Stanton requested that the prisoner
might retire during this examination. To this
the prosecution said they had no objections.
Mr. Sickles accordingly retired, accompanied
by an officer.
Mr. Graham.-Did you see them come back
that day!
Witness.-Not likely; they were so scared
they ran away. daughter
CrosS-eromined By Mr., OuJd:-I live next
door but one to John Gray's; there are three
little houses live in the north one.
MIR. Brady here put in true copy of the
survey of the premises from the surveyors
Office
Mr. Ould examined the witness particularly
about the houses and their tenants in the i'm
mediate neighborhood. She said the first time