The New York herald., 1869-01-07
CONCLUDING SCENES IN TIE WEST HiyEg
MURDER Trial.

MURDER TRisL. a
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Tho Prisoner Pleads Guilty and IL Sentenced
20 the State Prison for Life-His Version OF
the Tragedy-He Puts His Victim ssOuf of
Nisery" BY Cash Across tho Neck.
From the New Haven Register, Jan. 81
Long before the hour for tne opening OF the Supe-
rior Court this morning (5thl tine yesttbule OF the
CITY Hall was crowded with anxious spectators to
hear the continuance Of the trial Of stephen ABBOTT
Haven, on The 10th OF September las. II must be
confessed that the chain OF circumstances de-
vsioped BY the witnesses for the state pointed
who put Br0nson out OF the world, and 1t was also
evident 70 all that the testimony had deep enect
upon him (Abb0tt during the latter part OF the week
the court came together at ten A. NJ, with Judges
Hinman aud Granger on the bench. After brief
state aud prisoner, Mr.. Fowler one or the PRISON
ers counsel stated 20 the court that the prisoner de-
sired Dy the ADVICE OF his counsel to chance his plea
The Indictment for murder found by the Grand
Jury was then read by the clerk OF the court,
while the prisoner stood up. with one hand resting
tated and the blood came rushing to his face until
II was quite red. He heard the Indictment read
throughout ana IN response to the question put by
stephen Abbott what is your plea, guilty or not
he responded in subdued tone s.puiity.n
Judge Foster then said that having pleaded guilty,
he asked that the court tx the degree OF murder.
Judge HlAman asked II the prisoner desired TO be
MIR. Fowler replied that he did not
Judge Hinman then said substantially tnat the
found there was murder In the second degree. Inc
Court has no doubt Of murder, and that the killing
with deadly instrument would not be murder IN
the drst degree unless deliberately done. II Bron-
son had been sleeping and the prisoner had de-
have been murder In the nrst degree, but that Is
not the conclusion Of the Court They were
has1 gsasr to thu @ @ and i
hberately kill his friend for the smal sum OF
money bronson had. inc evidence showed that
were seen in the possession OF Abbott at one tine
and which might lave been the money taken from
Brouson's body after the alAir II the murder had
would have been taken by the prisoner. As to the
coat, he took that In the same light as he did the
money, TO relieve his present Necessities. There
was cut on the prlsoners thumb, aud that might
have been given by the deceased before he expired
were together on West Haven Green. (TIere MIR.
Downes, counsel for the prisoner, said that they
not sy sa % drank @
It would seem singular II they did not do it again.
They probably went home little excited by liquor.
habit OF scuf1ing with Abbott, and one occasion
they got little excited and hard feelings prevailed.
to na they both S0ar.
home excited BY liquor, and from some cause un-
known % the Court the prisoner caught up the axe
and struck hls friend on the head, which broke his
skull and seeing him IN the agony OF death and not
knowing what to do he used the knife. Having
conceal the crime; although would have been bet
ter for him to have gone 20 the neighb0rs and told
what he MAD done. Tie Coult could not consider
IN ust answer with his life, but murder In the
ond degree, for which he must suffer the statutory
sentence Of confinement in the state Prison for his
Tears came to the eyes OF the prisoner before the
Judge had finished, but as the crowd got up TO 20
out Abbott raised up and beckoned to some one In
the crowd to come and see him. Several persons
sioox hands with Abbott, and he appeared deeply
anected. .s5@ - 4I 7
his buggy and carried him to the jail where he win
remain until taken to Wethersleld. ~ n n +
ABBOrTS VERSION OF HOW THE AFFAIR HAPPENED.
city and did 60 to Coyles store 70 get surpen-
tine, but as It was after dark and he about clos
ing his store refused to get 1t for them, 1t would
inyalidatc his insurance. From C0yles tney went
to John Cummins' saloon, where they had several
drinks together, and at last Abbott departed for
home, leaving Bronson to come out In the morning.
the lower noor, where he was awakened some time
In the night by Bronson, who was quite intoxicated
and scuie ensued and Abbott, resisting the attack
axe striking Bronson blow that would have proved
fatal but seeing him (Bronson) in misery put an end
to him By the use again OF his axe cutting the gashes
In the throat win the corner OF the same. Having
done the deed he concealed the body under the floor
OF the barn. as some OF the witnesses conectured.
From there he took the body In his arms and waded
out into the Sound, where he deposited 1t, which
was afterwards found ON the East Haven shore.
The fire, the remains OF which were found between
tine house and barn, was made BY Bronson, not Abb
which were spattered with blood. 1t ts said that
Abbott did not use the boat at al for conveying the
body, as supposed by some. The scuf1e was, accord
ing to rumor, most desperate one aud that ABBOTT
wno was partially IN liquor struck the fatal blow In
self-defence. Had Abbott made this statement to
the counsel before the trial there Is but little doubt
II charge OF more than granddaughter would have
been sustained against hrm, even II he WAS not
acquitted. sssr. Ssl... 81 \.