The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-04-22
THE TIMES, NEW BLOOMFIELD, PA. APRIL 22 1879.


to seal the prisoners doom. If the
prosecution could prove what they said
they could, from whence would the
alibi Gomez
The defense relied mainly upon prov
ing an alibi, as the prisoners chief
counsel stated in his response to the dis
trict attorney. They stated that the
blood stains on the shirt as we'll as the
dagger on the prisoners person would
be accounted for. His supposed presence
In the outer vestibule on the night of
the crime would be swept away by the
oath of the most reputable citizens of
B.
We will now enter upon the details
of the trial. The prosecution INTRODUCED
proof bearing upon the several heads of
the district attorneys address. The
man who had swore to the prisoners
presence on the court house steps was
person of undoubted veracity and we'll
respected in B.
He had known Jason Bowers pre-
viously to his arraignment for forgery,
and could not have been mistaken in
the voice that addressed him on that
night. The figure on the steps CORES
ponded with the prisoners; but the face
was concealed, as if purposely, by the
slouching of the hat This witness
swore positively.
The prisoners shirt, accompanied by
his washerwoman's testimony, was ex-
hibited in court. 1t produced profound
impression, for unobliterated stains of
dark color were visible on the cuff and
bosom.
The prosecution, ably and almost
vindictively conducted, seemed to give
the prisoner no chance for escape, and
the defense was regarded frivolous be-
fore its turn came.
The fact that the doors leading into
the court house were found to be locked,
on the inside by Jabez Throck, the
janitor, on the memorable morning,
was commented upon with proof by
the defense. 1t was furthermore proved
that every window was found fastened,
likewise on the inside, after the dis
covery of the judges dead body.
The defense admitted the prisoners
remark concerning his ability to ira
verse the court room with ease after
dark but said that he meant by it that
his protracted trial had familiarized him
with the room. The blood stains on the
shirt were accounted for by saying that
the prisoner had cut his wrist, on the
night of the crime, and, in fact, when
he was arrested his wrist was found to
be bandaged by bloody linen.
The alibi which the defense had pro-
posed to prove did startle every one.
One of the most respectable grocery
men in B - testified that Jason
Bowers had been continually in his
store from nine till halfpast ten, in
elusive, on the night of the murder, and
several creditable witnesses deposed to
having accompanied him from the gro
Gerry to the hotel, which was reached at
quarter past eleven. This damaged
the testimony of the witness who had
sworn to having encountered Jason
Bowers on the court house steps at ten
O'CLOCK or tnereaDOutS.
On a cross-examinatien several of the
| prisoners witnesses admitted that his
manner was excited and strange; but
the clerk of the hotel said that shortly
after the prisoners arrival he went up
to his room. Did not see the bandage
on his wrist then; had loaned the pris-
the dagger shown in court; the pris-
oner had returned it just before retiring,
but had got it again before breakfast on
the following morning.
The washerwoman on cross-examina-
tion, said that the prisoner told her that
he wished his shirt by noon, as he want
ed to leave town at that hour; noticed
bandags on his wrist.
The defense also brought forward
witnesses to prove that the prisoner had
expressed to several his intention of
leaving B at the hour mentioned,
but that he was prevented by his arrest
for murder.
AS the defense progressed the specta-
tors looked perplexed. 1t was evident
that a loop-hole for the prisoners escape
would be offered. The prosecution look
ed dumfounded.
The judges charge was elaborate in
its details his honor leaned to a belief
in the prisoners guilt, and the jury re-
tired.
After an absence of four hours, dur
ing which time they sent for elucida-