Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-04


The FILKINs TRIAL.-After rejecting SOME
hundreds of summoned jurors, panel was at
last completed and the trial of Filkins for the
Albany express robbery and the attempted MUIR
| der OF Haipine, the messenger, was fairly begun
on Thursday. The district attorney, in his
| opening address to the jury, thus enumerates
the points the evidence will establish:
'Ihaye thus, gentlemen, presented to you as
briefly as could, the leading features of the ey.
.ence to be submitted in support of this prose.
| cutlon.
From that evidence the prosecution will
claim that the following conclusions are legiti-
| mately and fairly to be drawn. Of the accuracy
of which you cannot, as it seems to me, well
| doubt.
That Filkins had motive to commit the
| crime.
That Filkins prepared himself for its commits
| sion by looking for pistol
That FIlkins wanted a pistol to use for some
purpose that night.
That Filkins acquired the means to commit
the crime, by purchasing the pistol, and having
its seven chambers load d.
That Immediately before the crime, Filkns
had no money.
That Immediately after the crime, Filkins
was IN possession of considerable amount of
money.
That FlGins lied when he said he had told
Valiant he would get pistol for him.
That FillinS lied when he said he was look
ing for pistol IN order that Valiant might
protect himself.
That considerable portion of the money
stolen was fractional currency
That the day after the robb ry, Filkins was in
possessit of Il considerable amount of frac .ion-
al currency.
That he lied when he told Mr.. Dwight that he
hadn't bought any pistol.
That it was both an evasion and falseho cd,
when he told Mr.. Dwight that he had returned
the pistol which he had purchased, and sup
pressed the TACT that he had purchased at SCOTS
the pistol with which Halpine was shot
That the m IN W 10 got IN the express car was
an expert in getting in and out of, when in ,Io-
ton.
That Filkns was such an expert.
That the man who shot Halpne said his name
was "JOnes"
That Filkins said "Mr Jones" directed him to
| go to the Osborne house
| That the man who shot Halpine sail he bad
been great many trips for the express com
pany.
That Filkins has been great many trips for
this express company.
That the man who shot Halpine and opened
| tine messenger safe must have had a previous
knowledge OF the secret of opening it.
| That fllklns knew the secret mode Of opening
the messenger safe.
That the pistol which Filkins purchased be.
tween and O'Clock, shot Halpine between 8
| and 8.
That while it was expected Halpine would die,
tllkins remained about the city as usual. That
when it was expected Halpine might recover,
Filllins precipitately fled.
mat as soon as he was suspected, Filkins
| tried TO escape from Justice.
| That the manner and circumstances of his
| flight indicate conscious guilt
mat tllklns tried TO alter and disguise his
| personal appearance in order to avert pursuit.
That Filkins lied when he said he was in
China a year ago.
That FilSins lied when he said the rest of his
life had been spent upon the ocean.
That Filkins lied when he said the minister OF
MS church was located at Chatham.
That fiIkins lied when he pretended he was
buying cattle.
That Filkins lied when he said his name was
BULLS" and that he came from Canaan, N. Y,
That Filkins lied when ne said his occupation
was that of trapper
That Filklns lied when he said he had lately
lived in New York.
That Filkins lied when he said he was going
to bring back horses to Albany for the street
railroad.
That Filkins lied when he registered his name
at Schroon as John Bulls" from Canaan
-Four Corners"
That Filkins is positively identified by Hal
pine as the man who shot him, aud said his
name was Jones.
And that Filkins had in his coat pocket when
arrested, the identical shOemaker's knife with
| which the man who said his name was Jones
ripped open the money bags OF the ex press
| company.
There are other facts and circumstances to be
gwen in evidence. but | have not felt myself
justified 10 worrying you with detailed state.
ment Of them.
|