The Newtown bee., 1878-09-26
The WcNamara Murder Trial.

The trial of Michael McNamara, charged with murder, has been finished, and that too much sooner than we expected when we went to press last week. The prose cution OH the part of the State, rested Friday, as did also the defence. Jas. A. Wilson, junior counsel for the State, made the opening plea a few minutes after three o'clock on the afternoon of Friday, which was pronounced to be a very able argument by all Whe heard it. MT. Will son received the sincere congratulations of his friends with becoming mode5ty, and we take pleasure in adding our tribute to his elOquence and masterly handling of the evidence presented by the witnesses of the State Mr. Wilson spoke about one hour and ten minutes and made with out doubt good speech. On Saturday morning on the opening of court Mr Will Der, junior counsel for the defence, ad- dressed tho jury for about two hours. He is fine speaker, and very entertaining. State Attorney Olmstead spoke next a2d reviewed the testimony with wonderful skill and when he finished it seemed as if McNamara's counsel, Judge Lockwood, would have q difficult task to gainsay or refute what the State had clearly proven. Judge Lockwood made the closing plea, commencing at five minutes past two and closing at half-past three, Mir. Lockwood gave the prisoner the benefit of what we will term the very best possible defence any one could expect in the face of such overwhelming odds. The court adjourn ed until Monday at eleven o'clock.
 Our space will not permit us to give the entire testimony, but for the benefit oi our readers we give the statement made by the prisoner, Michael McNamara, be- fore the jury of inquest, July 18th, (the day after the murder) and the one that he made in the court on Thursday last. We copy from the BEE of July 18th, as follows:'
 The prisoner was asked if he wished to say anything, and duly appraised of his right to make a statement or not. Ht desired to make d statement, and was sworn. Tie prisoner said that he remark ed ts Martin: T hope Mir Riley will It able to get in two more loads of hay thi afternoon and two in the morning" Mar tin said. What was it of niy busiHefs that he was not going to work next day, and swore at me. l moved up little way from him, when Martin struck me on tht side of the head with rake; l ran to wards the tree, followed by Martin, whC seized the dung fork and struck at me he missed me and struck the tree, break ing the fork; got away from Martin ano went home, and cid not see him after ht left the tree.
 Michael McNamara (the prisoner1 went first to Newtown 22 years ago last July an between II and 45 years of age; was away from Newtown 3 years have knosI Martin before he or came to this country ever since childhood: he lived about t2, miles from my house; used to see whers I went to church on the 18th of July, went in Rilev's meadow at G.l5 in th' morning; Michael Riley came soon after we went to moving between and Mar tin and his son Win. came; we all wen to moving, and moved til about Il.39 about I030 Thos. Riley came in tn meadow with his horse and my wagon, u this time Martin. I and his son were a the lower end of the meadow moving Michael Riley was at the other end wher the wagon came ins Michael and hi father unhitclled and put the horse in hi own varen: Mr. THomas Ri ey went oi for Isauor and Michael came down to me Nr. Thomas Riley came back about l o'clock and we all hands vent to the ma pie tree. sat down and took . drink an lunch together: after dinner we raked n hay. all but Thas- Riley, We commences to load about l2-5e. NC put lead oE