The Portland daily press., 1871-09-22
The SWEET Murder.

The coroUer's jury, which adjourned over
from Wednesday, came in yesterday morning
at ten o'clock, and after a short deliberation
made up their verdict as follows:
The jury f nd that Leonard Francis SWEET of
Portland, Came 10 his death by felony on the
morning OF the 20.h of Septemo Der, 1871, from
the eff CT OF blow OF blows inflicted on his
head by Simon A. Loveltt of said Portland
between The houls OF nine aud ten o'clock in
the eve ming of the 19oh OF September, on the
corner of Pearl and Fore streets, in said Port
land.
Immediately after Lovett was brought from
the jail ana taken before Judge Morris of the
Municipal Court, for examination. The com
plant against him was sworn to by the City
Marshall aud charged him with murder The
Attorney General, I. B. Reed ESQ.,, intimated
his readiness 20 proceed with the examination
of the accused, and stated briefly the condi-
tion of the case. Loveitt was arraigned, the
complaint was read to him, and he eaded not
guilty. HIS counsel, Mr.. A. A. Strout, then
add dressed the Court as follows
May 1t please your Honor-At the request OF
the atbei vi tic prisoner l appear at thIs time
as his counsel. am not without hesitation
and douo' as tn what course ought to pursue
at Ibe DieseLt stage OF the proceedings. am
strongly inclihed 10 call for preliminary ex-
animation aud to go luly into all matters con
nected win this most painful affair. Since the
arrest OF Loveitt have been put in possession
of facts which led me to ieel certain that
this plea winch be has just uttered aud his
solemn assertion tc me that be is not guilty. of
this crime, are true From this Information, a
part OF wbich Came to me this morning, feel
confident that the man who struck the fl ual and
fatal oluw which caused the death OF Leonard
=. Swelt has not been arrested L saw ieel
confident that the accused will yet be able to
show this to be The TACT But SO sudden and
unexpecIed was this blow, he and his friends
are So stunned by bis arrest tha We have been
unable at this time to prepare for hearing
and to present fully the facts which explain
this net Work of circumstances which unex-
plalued seem 10 point TO bin as the guilty par
~, aud to follow out the facts which l believe
Will lead To hs scquittal OF the charge of mur-
dar against him aod to tire conviction of the
rea! offender. | am therefore inclined at this
time to advise HIM to waive an examination
and allow the matter to be sent forward TO the
grand jury. But in the meantime do think
the pubic judgment as to the guilt OF the un-
fortunate man Should be suspended until he
can nave an opportunity to be heard in his de-
teEce. The proceedings thus far have in some
sense petn eI pdrte aud now time will be given
10 trace out Tue circumstances connected with
this mater. believe the result of this inves-
tigat;on Will establish the innocence of the
prisoner .v-n to the satisfaction of the govern
ment, who believe only seek that justice ma Y
be done 10 The case. 1 sbali therefore, in bi,
pehalf waive an examination before the court
The prisoner was then remanded to Jail to
await the action of the grand jury in January.
The several witnesses recognized for their ap-
pearance