Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-04-18
Sentence of Edw'd M. Smith,
the Bucksport Murderer !
HiS Last Appearance in Court
He Stll Asserts bis Inl0Cence

The last scene OF the last act OF the
awful tragedy. which was pcrpetraied
AZ Bncksport more than year ago. closed
al the Court House on Tuesday afternoon.
Notice had previously been given that
sentence would be imposed at that time.
and the Court room was crowded to
It's utmost capacity, aud hundreds were
unable to gain admittance. At AIS
O'Clock, Sheriff Deyereux and his Deputy
brought In the prisoner. Edward NJ. Smith.
and placed him ia the dock.
For the past winter. Smith has been
confined in the Bangor Jail. and his sp-
pearance much the same as al hI.
trial In April last. II snything, We
should judge him 10 be little heavier
now. thaa then, and he had more color in
his face. There WAS however the same
impassible, impenetrable counteuance. and
the same absence OF all emotion either OF
fear. shame. or excitement, and the same
clear, cold, expressionless eye, like burn
ished steel.
Attorney General Emery moved that the
prisoner be sentenced. The Court in
CURED OF Mr.. Had och, prisoners counsel.
II be had any remarks TO make and he
replied, nothing"
The prisoner was then asked il he had
anything TO say why sentence should not
be passed. Smith replied that he had, aud
then proceeded for more then two hours
TO address the Court. He began by saying
that he he'd been unjusily convicted and
that his trial was not had In accordance
with law. lie inveighed severely against
the prosecuting officers. in prejudicing his
case before the Jury aud in Withholding
testimony 10 their possession. which would
have told In his favor. lie accused them
OF slandering him. For more than an hour
he discussed questions theological, meta
and disconnected manner, aid few, II any,
were able 10 see their bearing on his case
Next, be reviewed at length the testimony
given against him, and drew the coi,clu-
sion, that the jury were not warranted in
convicting, against his own testimony, or
in other words that because the govern
ment failed to contradict his testimony in
most particulars, it must therefore be taken
as true. He then appealed to the Court to
allow him a new hearing as he had not
had a fair trial-remarked upon ihe terrible
punishment be must suffer, affirmed tina the
should flight morally" TO the last to OBJ
tain justice and asserted his innocence He
closed by again impl0ring Tor new trial.
Throughout his long harangue the pris-
oner exhibited little or DO feeling, and on
the whole. 1t was regarded as tame and
dry He did not allude to the murdered
victims nor did he loudly protest his ill.,
nocence. but talked on technical points,
and seemed to wish to convey the idea that
he was an injured man.
The Court then passed sentence in the
following words:
/ have beard you because it is your last
day in court with great patience, and very
fully. My mind has been able to follow
you through your different points taken.
as my recollection of the trial is very
vivid one.
1t would NOT be expected OF me to make
remarks in relation tn yonr objections in
detail. But cap say, without any hesita.
ton. that there is not point taken in
objection to the trial or the course OF the
trial. that has any reasonable foundation
whatever.
You had fair and impartial trial, as
much SO as can be had in court Of jus
tice. you were ably defended by counsel
most devoted to your interests. do not
think possible thing was left u0done by
him to aid you In your hour Of peril. He
was very watchful to get in all proper
testimony, and with great vigilance kept
out all improper testimony
You had the process Of the State TO get
all the Witnesses desired BY you. You had
the benefit of all the benehcent rules of
law applicable to criminal cases. There
was no haste CT iNconsiderateness in the
trial Ia any respect. Aud still a jury Of
your country. against whom you can sllege
no complaint. found you guilty Of murder
10 the first degree, . murder OF the most
atrocious and diabolical character.