Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-11-06

tlonal restrictions as exist here and in some
other States but the whole power to regu-
late such elections Is left with the Legisla-
turc.
The Worcester Murder Trial.
On Monday was concluded one OF the most
remarkable trials known in the criminal iu-
risprudence Of the State Of Vermont Ii was
on an indictment found by the Grand Jury
at the September Term Of Washington COun-
/ ty Court against Ryal ;. Carr, and Austin j
LOOMS, OF Worcester, for the murder Of Ma
I ~ p. LOOMS, oi that town, on the Sth day
. OF last August. The trial commenced on the
3Oth day Of September, and closed on the
2oth of October, being about four weeks in
duration. Hon Asahel Peck, Of Burlington,
was the Presiding Judge.
On the trial it tappeared that the deceased
was young woman but fourteen years of
age, who was married in January last to Or
| lin LOOMS, brother of Austin j. LoOmis.
and that Orlin, in the latter part Of last
/ Spring, refused 20 live with her, on the
I ground that she would not make his bed
mend his clothes. and other reasons not pro-
I per 10 be mentioned. At the time Orlin
/ parted with her be published her in the pa
/ per-, and then she went about from place to
place, not having any particular spot that
she called her home From her wandering
habits, and apparently loose character, sleep
/ ing in gardens and barns, she gained for her
self an unenviable reputation. based entirely
upon Appearances. In the progress of the
trial II was demonstrated that the communi-
| " IN which she lived had accused her wrong
fully, and that really she WAS virtuous wo-
man ~ Iaasr 10 ,ra. ,.-,- 6, 1-,., l.,
ing what people thought her 70 be Her
shoes, chemise, and all her clothes, indicated
! a person Of slothful and indolent habits
All her clothes were buried after she was
found, except her hat, cape, chemise, and
shoes The latter was nothing but an old
pair Of scutis. Of which when she was found
one WAS on her foot and the other of. She
wore no stockings. and her chemise was
nothing but patches. indicating extreme po-
yerty, as well as extreme indclence Her
reputation was such that there had been
threats in the community where she lived Of
tar and feathers for her, but this was neither
ever done or attempted to be done.
The evidence on the part Of the govern
ment against Carr tended to show that she
was last seen at his house, Just at dark, on
the Saturday night that she was murdered
and in Carr's confession after he was arrest
ed be stated she was there, and passed up
the road towards LOOMS house. which is
eighty-four rods north Of Cars. She was
found dead on Sunday morning, August Q,
between Cars and Loomis, twelve rods
from the road. in piece of woods. with a
string around her neck, and that passed over
a limb of a maple tree, TO give the appear
ancc of suicide Cars confession shows he
was there. and LOomis also but his whole
story. taken together, was inconsistent with
truth. OF reason. and but very little reliance
was placed upon it, even by the government
attorneys. HIS going away the next NOR
ming changing his name, and his bloody
clothing which was found in his house, were
! the inger-bOards that pointed straight 70 his
| guilt. 1t appears further that Carr was a
very simple minded fellow, with no learning,
and not able 10 count twenty, his highest
ambition being To trade in heES His con-
| iession Of his connection with the crime was
obtained by holding out TO him Inducements
such that public opinion would be more
| favorable. people would have more sympathy
for him. and that he could turn States eyi-
| dencc. and 20 clear. When he told it the
second time the States Attorney told him be
was not obliged to crimnate himself, and
that if he confessed he must DO it without
| expecting any favor The details Of this
confession are too indecent for publication,
tinctured as they are with barbarity un-
| equalled in criminal jurisprudence.
| The evidence against LOomis consisted Of
circumstances, his not visiting the body in
| the woods, which was twenty-six rods from
| his house-declaratIon he made TO his wife
trembling of his hands on two occasions,
a bloody shirt, and shirt found at his house.
| This bloody clothing was satisfactorily eS-
planned.
The government called twenty-eight wit
| nesses. and occupied about sixteen days the
respondents called sixteen witnesses. occupy
| ing about four days. The argument for the
| prosecution was opened by l.. L. Durant,
who spoke five hours, during which he left
/ the Court room several times He was fol-
lowed by j. \. Vail, who occupied about the
same length Of time. Luther Henry follow
ed Mr. Vail, speaking five hours and a half !;
az the conclusion of his argument Ii. W.
Heaton commenced for Carr, speaking for
four hours, claiming that he could only, at
most, be convicted of manslaughter. c. H. .
Heath, the States Attorney, then made the
closing argument for the prosecution, which
occupied over six hours.
The Judge commenced his charge 10 the
Jury on Saturday last. at > O'Clock p NJ
and closed it at O'Clock, giving clear, fair,
and impartial charge, in a very able manner
To it there was no exception by either res
| pondent. which is rather remarkable in a
case occupying so much time, and in which
so many questions arose which His Honor
was obliged to decide in the progress of the
| trial The Jury agreed in about six hours
| but the verdict was not received until Mon
day morning at 5 O'Clock. When the bell
! rang for Court the house was immediately
filed, and the prisoners were brought in.
The Jury and respondents arose. when the
foreman was asked if the respondent Ryal s.
Carr was guilty, or not guilty. A death-like
silence prevailed, as he answered. sGuilty
of manslaughter." He was then asked If
the respondent Austin j. Loomis was guilty,
or not guilty; and the foreman declared he
was mot guilty" A sense of entire satisfac
ton seemed TO prevade the Court, and His
Honor, Judge Peck, thanked the Jury for
the arduous labor they had performed, and
congratulated them upon the termination of
this prutracted case. Luther Henry, counsel
for LOomis, moved the Court that Loomis be
discharged. and, there being nothing more
against him, he was discharged, and started
at once TO meet bis wife and child.
Thus ended one OF the longest trials ever
had in the State. Exceptions were allowed
in Cans case, and it goes to the Supreme
Court on the admission Of Cars confession
l-MonfPeher Argnes.