The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-10-07
WIN. WILLARD'S MURDERER.
4 DESPERATE As ms OWN COUNSEL
IN 4 HARTFORD COURT


IN 4 HARTFORD COURT.
Sentenced TO Death starvation In tho Com
nrcticut Prison-R cpiarknbic scene on the
Trial Of an Assassin-Ap Appeal to be
NJ Made for Pardon.
Corrcsp spondcncc OF The sun.
IIARrroRD, Oct. 6.-Tho excitement over the
Wilson murder trial was again developed at the
opening of the Court this morning, when the rush OF
tue people to gain admission even greater than
at the beginning OF proceedings on Wednesday.
Wilson himself was perceptiby cooler In his de-
pertinent than during the impanelling of the jury.
when the jury had been sworn, Mr. Hyde, one of |
the counsel for the defence, announced that Wilson
desired to conduct his own case, and asked the |
Court to allow the prisoner to leave the dock and |
take a seat at the table Unsigned to counsel that he
might have facilities for taking down testimony.
The Court promptly granted the request, and vii |
500, fortified with large portfolio containing docu.
ments to bo used, seated himself with display OF
assurance.
The first witness introduced was DR.. J. c. Jack
son, who was called to attend the prison warden
just before his death. The condition Of the wounds
was explained, but nothing furt or appeared Of in-
portance TIL the cross examination Of the next
witness, MIR Dwight NJ. Martin, Deputy Warden Of
the State Prison, when the following interrogations
and answers were put and received Wilson himself
conducting:
OPENING UP PRISON SECRETS.
Q.-Iow long have you been connected with the
prisOut About Eve Years.
Q.-Werc you ever sworn inf Al was sworn
in by Director Lilly, believe, thoagl am not
@ DO you know that was put in the solitary
cellf Al know 1t from the record book OF pun
Q.-Do you know whether the record on that book
Is correctt Al do not.
Q.-Do you know on what day was put into the
solitary cellf A.-On Sunday.
Q.-lIow long Jid l remain theret Al don't
know.
Odd YOU bring me bread and water while I
was therei Al don't know.
Q.-Do you swear that you are not the man who
brought me bread and watorf Al cannot swear
Wilson (aside)-That is very strange
| Q.-who iurrishe, bread and water to prisoners
| In the solitary cell A-The rule has been that
have been directed by the warden.
Q.-Are you wi ling to swear that was not in that
cell four days and nghtsf A.-No, nm not.
| Q-who put me into the dunEeoni Al can't
| o.-Who let me out, Al did
2-Wh1t day was thatf Al cannot tell.
| Q.-Iave You no means OF knowing who sup.
plied ne with bread and water in the dungeon' A.
i don't know but might have supplied you-l
| Q.-Wus It three or six month. azo that was in
the dungcon' Ait was within six months.
q Are tAe reports OF Presidents sent to the Leg.
| isll1ure With the Directors teporti Al think
| Q-Mr Martin, have I ever shown you any
srINKiSG pgAT'
Here the attorney for tile State objected hi. prin.
cpal lection being that as the only ground to miti.
| Kate The crime must he that 1t was committed in
self-dcencc, the management Of the prison and the
Whatever except to show malice on the part OF the
accused u IL must be shown, also, to substAntate
the sround Of seifdeieace, tLat the crime com
| c urt, Judges Carpenter and Minor consulting. de-
| cided that tao testimony would not be relevant at
tis stage the proceedings, though II facts should
| subsequently appear warrintins its admission,
| different course might be adopted.
| Nisun-l your Honors rOius0 to receive this tes
| tmony have no defense to make. shall let the
prosecution take i,s course, which will save the State
Wilson then turned his chair around with bis hack
10 the judges, and at moodily during tie eXamina
uon Of the Chrpain OF the prison, which was soon
Julse carpencr- Mr. Hyde,-IIave you any
| CEu~,. zannation to mlkc'
soI-tnter-upt'n-l Ny counsel have
NoruING rrGTurV 70 no WIN rmg CASE
| Judge Carpoutcr-Wc will have no controversy
with tac yrisoncr. Mr.. H. de- have you any cues
Mir Hylc-No. sir
At The afternoon session wilson appeared in the
doct again. lie ha taken back to jail with him
during the recess al lis rarcrs, saying, he de.
parted. that lie should have nothing further 10 do
with the case, nor should lie allow his counsel TO
Two or three witnesses were briefly examined
and tae state r"s'ci Al O'Clock. the Attorney an
nnunclng that thc testimony was 80 simple and con
elusive that he shond make no argument to the
jury.
Judge Carpenter Wilson, do you wish to be
heard before the jury
| Wison-No, sir; teing practically cut OF from
making defence, have nothing to say.
| Judge Carrcntu-Do you wish your counsel TO
| say ans thing
Wison-No sir-notllng.
Judge Carpentcr then charged the jury. and they
| retired. coming In only twelve minutes after with q
verdict OF
MURDER IN THE rIRsr DECREE.
| Wilson received the verdict with perfect compo.
| sure. and soon anerward was addressed by the
| Court as follows:
Judge Carpe atcr-wll.on, a jury ofyour countrymcn
| degree The Law pronnunccs the sentence OF death.
II you have anything to ray why the sentence of death
| shonld not be pronounced you now have an opDortu
wiison-Your Honor. | nave only to say that do
not feel that have been tried yet But perfectly
satisfied with the result. To he hanged Will he an act
| Connecticut State prisons ~ have been.
| The Court then pronounced
| SENTENCE oy DEATH
| Wilson displayed no ieolng during tie delivery OF
the sentence except or twice hangln lis head.
| At toe close he WIS taken IN the custody OF the
| Sheriff, and then passed over 20 the state Prison
| onicia.s and conveyed to ethersdeld
| Going back to prison was not what the prisoner
expected. He hoped to be kept IN jail. lie musi
| 1t Is constructed of boiler iron, has doubl,
doors, and is walled in with brick. making II per
| feCtly secure II is put In what Ia called the new
prison part where there other prisoners, and
he will virtually be in solitary confinement,
| Now Wilson will appeal to tie Legislature fol
| pardon at the May session next year or course h,
Will not get 1t, hut lie can then accomplish his OBJ
| ject Of bringing forward evidence concerning tn,
management of the prison, which ho failed to do OF
| his trial to day
Travel stopped on the Erie.