Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-12-08
THE nos WE'LL TRIAL.


The trial of Edward II. Hoswell for the
murder OF John b. Latin, at Hallowell, on
the 10th of September last, is concluded,
the verdict being guilty of manslaugh-
ter" The interest in this trial has been
quite remarkable. All the parties imme-
diately concerned in the tragedy were OBJ
seure persons, known only to a small circle
and in humble circumstances. Few even
in Hallowell and Augusta knew of the ex-
istencs of such man rs Hoswell until the
news of the murder spread over this vicin-
ity the morning after it was committed,
aud his worldly means were so limited that
the State employed counsel for him and
paws the entire cost of his defence. Latin
was well known to his neighbors and but
little outside. Yet although the parties
were thus obscure, the court room was
packed full during the trial, and the pro-
eeedings were discussed earnestly from
day to day by wide circle Of interested
observers, listeners, and readers of the
papers containing the report of the trial.
The truth is that while Hoswell was no
Sickles, or Cole, or Mcfarland, in in
huence, there was a supposed similarity
between his case and theirs, which at
tracted public attention and gave the trial
the notoriety which it had.
The evidence presented showed that for
sometime the relations between Roswell
and his wife had been of a wretched char
acter. He had used violence TO her,
burned her clothing, advertised her in the
papers, and done other things disgraceful
and abusive. How much provocation he
had to do these things we do not know nor
undertake to say, but the murder of Latin
was the eliminating act of the unfortunate
course OF life which they had been leading.
The testimony in the case does not prove
that Hoswell entertained any special
malice toward Latin lie was Jealous of
his wife, and would have murdered any
body else as quickly IS Latin whom he
might encounter under the same circ-m-
stances A. those in which be met the latter
on that fatal evening. His suspicious led
him TO watch, and Latin was the victim.
Il was murder, but not of that deep, de-
signing character with which amurlerer
marks his prey. follows him, lays his plans
deliberately. and gives the blow with a
cool head and steady hand.
That HosweIl killed Latin was not de-
MED by his counsel. but they eontended
that the circumstances under which he did
the deed was justification for the act.
What those circumstances were as they
in the evidence upon the trial are
sufficiently known to all who have read
the report Of the trial in these columns.
There was no proof that Latin had been
guilty of criminal intimacy with Mrs. Hos
well except the testimony of Hoswell HIM
self. There was evidence of improperly {;
in fact the circumstance that he was in
there at all at that time of night, when the
woman wasabeut retiring, for the purpose
as alleged of so frivolous matter as to
show her carpet, is one that might well
excite suspicion of evil intent; but there
is nothing farther than that, no proof of
criminality. except the evidence of the
prisoner. The plea OF insanity set up in
other similar cases. and in some OF them
successful, did not avail in this. The case
went to the jury As one of murder. not muir
der by an, insane person, but murder
in which the crime might he paliiated and
the penalty lessencd il found to have been
committed in the heat of passion. 1t was
under the opinion then that the deed was
committed in the heat Of passion, that the
jury rendered a verdict of mansaughter,
in which the penalty is not more than Ten
years imprisonment or a fine of $1,000.
Judge Walton plainly showed himself
ayerse to the insanity apology, and in this
he is sustained for his good sense as well
as for the ability with which he presided
in this most difficult and exciting trial.
We understand the counsel for the de-
fence contemplated filing exceptions. but
finally yielded and Hoswell has received a
sentence of nine years in the State Prison
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. GENERAL NEWS