Litchfield enquirer., 1868-11-26
Tha Palmer Murder.

late QaL0E
 The Palmer Murder.
 The trial of Harvey Chamberlain and his son Frederick w. Chamberlain, for the murder of Robert Palmer, at Goshen on the 29th of September last, commenced on Thursday last The following facts were proved:
 The elder Chamberlain was in posses sion of house belonging to Lemuel Pal mer, who leased it to the deceased who was his nephew Last summer, 1t was agreed between Harvey Chamberlain and the de- ceased that the latter should have posses sion of the premises immediately after hay ing. Chamberlain, however, could not rent another place, and in conversation be- tween them on the Friday before the mur- der, it was understood that Palmer should take possession of part of the premises, leaving Chamberlain in possession of the remainder till he could find other quarters. On Monday, the 2Sth, Sept, Palmer car ried a load of goods to the house. He found the door fastened, but not so secure ly but that he opened it with ease. The younger Chamberlain was at home but not the elder It appears that objection was made to his taking possession by Freder- ick, but> Palmer told him he did so under an agreement with his father and left the load of goods he had brought On Tuesday, the deceased, with his brother Asaph H. Palmer and yo ung man named Frederick Bogart went up to the house with another load of goods. They found the door strongly fastened Robert Palmer had gota crow bar and prizea open the gart. Chamberlain stood in another room and said to Bogart, ''Stand back, Fred Bo- gart, stand back" and then fired hitting Palmer in the side just below the heart.
 Robert said to his brother that he had been shot, got out at the window, and they walked together behind the we'll house some two or three rods from the house Another report was heard just before they reached the we'll house. Asaph Palmer then went for the wife of Robert who was at MT, ,Luddington's his brother-in.law His 1 wife and sister came in about l5 minutes, and MT. Rouse was sent for the doctor. The shooting occurred at about half past ten and Palmer died in about an hour. An examination showed 30 or 40 shot holes through the skin in the left side pear the heart and pistol ball was found in the back of his arm, evidently shot from be- hind. Neither of the prisoners came out to offer any assistance.
 The younger Chamberlain procured the pistol the day before and statedu tedu thhstt tthhs st he house and ntimated that he wanted it to defend the premises. The ball found in Palmer's arm fitted the pistol borrowed by Fred. Chamberlain which was undoubtedly fired when the secord report was heard.
 Both the prisoners testified on trial liar vey Chamberlain claimed, and his family testified, that he warned Palmer of the premises while he was. breaking in, al- though if seems that if any such warning was given it was not heard by the people outside or by the deceased He also claimed that he did not intend killing Palmer. The testimony of the prisoners seems to have prejudiced rather than to have helped their defence. The character of the father was very bad; that of the son better. The case was ably argued by Messrs Sedgwick and E w. Seymour for the State, and Graves and An. drews for the prisoners. After considera ble deliberation on Saturdcy morning, the jury brought in a verdict against both prisoners convicting Harvey Cham oerlain of murder in the second degree, and Frederick of manslaughter. Judge Loomis, therefore, sentenced the former to State Prison for life, and the latter for five years. The murder was most cold blooded and atrocious, the only palliating circumstance being the illegal act of the deceased in attempting forcible entry. Palmer was about 26 years of age, and had been married but a few months before his death.