Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-11-01

1Y1oI JOE CHIC A0Y0eR.
TIE GIRL WHO CUT HER BABY's THROAT.
This morning, In the Criminal Court,
Judge Wylie, the trial OF the case OF Mary
Canaan. white girl, about 20 years old,
charged with murder In having, on the 18th
Gay OF July last, after the birth OF her female
child, cut Its throat from ear to ear, was
commenced.
The selection Of . jury was first proceeded
with, the jurors being each sworn on his
voire dire. and jury was selected from the
regular panel. John p. Crowley, Joseph RI
stettinus, Joseph G. Beckett, John W.
walker Lewis had formed an opinion: sam,
uel G. Middleton and Chas. g. BAN had con-
scientious scruples a. to capital punishment.
The following I we're ' sncsc,ed and sworn:
George Green, Richard n. Allen, James r.
Mcguire, VIM. Ferguson, VIM. H. Johnson,
A Annras 1a H0T'er' John I: voet James
tr., John g. Aud and Thomas A. Tolson.
OPENING ARGUMENr.
MT. n; b. Wells, IT., opened the case, and
time the prisoner was taken sick she went
into the cellar Of the house In which she was
employ ed-Admiral Radford's-and the child
having been brought forth she cut its throat
from ear to ear and buried IL there. There IL
q power by which such crimes, however Sc
ere tly committed, are brought to light and a
the spODgipets of the earth, and an examina.
tion being made the child's body was found
The accused was questioned and confessed
that she was the mother and had killed the
Mr.. c. Pelham, for the prisoner, expressed
surprise that this case should be classed
Win others which had been on trial during
the past few weeks, and said that the facts
were that this girl had been brought here
nom the west by kind friends, and had in
her humble walk In life up to this time borne
q good character. She had fallen and unex-
pectedly given birth to the child, and being
at the time In unsound mind from disease
she bad committed the deed, which was
rather the result Of accident.
THE TESTIMONY.
DR.. n. b. Sheckeds testified that he made
q post mOrtem examination of the body;
across the throat. All the organs were
healthy, including the lungs, which showed
that the child was born alive. Witness was
cross-examined at great length, and said
child birth sometimes causes paroxysmal
insanity.
Ccthdrine Donoh1le testified that on the 14th
OF July she was engaged In cleaning up the
cellar; noticed something white, and took q
piece OF wood and raised something up,
which proved to be the child's feet; witness
noticed Mary Canaan was up early that
moInlng- Inc accused came TO Admiral Rad
Adnirol Vim. Radford testified that In July
last he resided in Stoddard street, George
house from November 18th to July 18th.
On the morning OF the 14th Of July 1t was
reported to witness that there was q child
police. Two officers came up and witness
went with them TO the cellar, and they found
the child, partly buried. The coroner was
The officers went To- the trunk Of the ac-
cused and found some clothing-evidences
OF her connection with the child.
Sergeant W. II. Ir,sn,eu testified to finding
the garments referred to. Witness had q
conversation with the accused ON the way to
jail. Witness asked who was the father of
the child, and she said 1t was . man named
q unA akn<I ~
1t. She replied, 81 didn't know what else to
do with It." Cross appeared
very weak and disposed to talk, and witness
soid ner that she =, had better not say much
when taking her to jail, that he was taking
her to the hospital: She appeared nervous
and and somewhat excited, and said that she
ODtcer Il. RO6ey testified to arresting the
defendant, and she asked witness IL 1t would
not De best To tell tho whole truth. She said
tie before day; that she didn't think it would
i've, and she had no way to take care OF IL,
and She cut Its throat with q common case.
x n ne witness offered her no inducement
ment.
TESTIMONY FOR DEFENCE.
The defence called Mfr. Stephen 8. Cuts, who
since she was six or seven years old, and
brought her from Ohio, where she was bound
70 him.
Witness was asked If he had ever noticed
y : q xress, imbecility or inssnity.
The government asked that the lestiou
be confined to insanity.
The court ruled that he might be asked as
Witt ess answered that she was considered
a &C cd honest girl, but when she was excited
she did not appear 70 know what she was
i9lp G.s mind wa: mo not well 6aan ced:
han exeitable.
M Henry Payme testified that he had
known the prisoner about two years; never
aer mind was more or less afiected; always
regarded her rs girl who was trying to do
right, and her general reputation for peace
and good order was good.
Mrs P0yne testified that the prisoner was
q girl easily excited and led of.
Nm. A. HRehtns testified that the prisoner
lived In his house four years, and he regarded
her as not OF perfectly sound mind, but her
honesty or integrity could not be questioned.
She was easily excited.
a. w. Ldkenon testified that he has known
defendent about ten years; never thought
The least thing crossed her her mind appear
ed to be thrown on Its balance.
George v. FlutheT, II. T.. Whdley and ". r.
Gibbons testified TO the same general effect.
REBUTfING TESTIMONY.
The government called Admiral RadfoTd
who ties titled that he never noticed any signs
OF insanity while she was employed at his
house.
Mrs. Radford testified that she saw the pris-
oner daily while in her employment; never
noticed any signs Of insanity.
This closed the testimony.
PRAYRRS OFFBRED BY THE PROSECUTION.
The government offered prayers that IL the
act was committed deliberately the offence
is murder; that II under the influence OF sud-
den uncomfortable passion, 1t IL manslaugh-
ter; that II the jury believe she was insane
at the time, they must state that the defend
ant is not guilty on that ground; that the
fact OF insanity Is an independent one, and
must be SO proven, and the jury must be
satisfied of such fact beyond q reasonable
same doubt that must be repelled
by the government ~ 10 the facts in the case.
JUD6E wYLIE's ANSWER.
Judge Wylie instructed the jury on the
pray ers, refusing to grant the second prayer,
say Ing that the prisoner was either guilty OF
murder or not guilty by reason OF imbecility,
and under the law there Is no possible way
TO ind verdict of manslaughter. A homi-
eide may be committed under great excite
ment, bat the question is not whether the
party Is under excitement, but whether there
is any sufficient reason why he should be
under excitement
ARGUING THE CASE.
Mr.. Pelham commenced his argument to
The tury II nom. claiming that IN had not