The Newtown bee., 1879-11-26
THE HAYDEN TRIAL.

The trial or the Rev. Mr.. Hayden al
Now Haven on the charge OF murder win
hereafter DO ranked allong the most cell
ebrated criminal trials OF the country, or
in fact OF modern times. The expert tos-
tinlony that mas been presented has done
moro than anything else could, To ac-
quaint the people OF the country with the
peculiaritics of arsenic, and those who
have followed the testimony OF Prof. la.
M, viii now know more than they ever
did before about this deadly poison. Al
though the witness was thorough chem
list before being called into the case, yet
he took the trouble to go to England at
the expense or the State for the purpose
of visiting the principle factories where
arsenic is made. The result of his inves-
legations is laid before the jury i'll this
ease and proves TO be q valuable addi-
tion to knowledge on the subject. and
adds greatly to the stock OF scientific
information. new feature has been
introduced into the evidence in the trial
OF poisoning cases. II has been cstab,
lished that there Is n certain method of
distinguishing the arsenic bought in one
place from that purchased in another.
The establishing Of this fact may be OF
great use TO the prosecution, or, on the
other hand, may prove OF Invaluable ben
eft To the accused.
1t is needless to more than refer to the
story of this remarkable case. Two
years ago Mr.. Hayden was a minister in
good standing. One day the nangled
body OF a young woman belonging to his
church, named Mary Stannard, and who
had been an inmate of his family, was
foInd dead In u lot about half mile
from his house As her throat was cut,
the first impression was that she had
committed suicide. Second thought. how
ever made IL u murder, and the pastor
was accused OF having killed her. the mo-
tive being to get rid of evidence that
would have convicted him or adultery.
He was discharged after a preliminary
examination. but being indicted, was re-
arrested and tried. the jury disagroeing
on tho first trial. The second trial is
now In progress.
Since the beginning OF The present trial
most OF the time has been spent In the ex-
animation OF medical and chemical ex-
ports. The State insists that the girl was
murdered by poison before her throat
was cut. IL Is claimed that sufficient arse.
nic was found In her body 10 kill several
people. The defence insists that the ar
ssnic was placed there after burial by en-
emies Of the accused. Hayden had
bonght an ounce OF arsenic few days be-
fore Mary STANDARDS murder, and the o.
per which contained 1t was found in
barn after the murder. Tho question to
be determined is whether Mary Stannard
was poisoned by this arsenic. The de-
Tense point triumphanily 10 the fact that
what is known as the barn arsenic" had
cstucnIy been untoucned. Ihe prosecu-
ton say that <he arsenic was bought af-
ter the murder and placed in the barn. |
IL was the object of tho prosecution to |
prove that the arsenic found in the body |
was not OF the quality OF that found In !
the barn, and that IL was arsenic Of a DIFF
ferent kind. purchased In some other
IitbSt, buuN liiiiSiti lllf. /
This is certainly in some respects one
OF the most novel cases that has been
brought before the criminal courts of the
country. 1t is seldom that case OF this
kind Is used TO enlarge our scientific
knowledge. All that is expected of ex-
nut.so employ scientific man to travel
" sc"rch of new phenomenal and to
make discoveries before unknown, with
view TO advancing the sum total OF hui
man knowRedge. Is something unheard OF
In the prantfce of criminal law before this !,
case Of Hayden. Where will this end III
what arc the boundaries of scientific /
II men have placed before
them incentives that Prof. Dana had
placed before his eyes? He has in this
case been furnished with an opportunity |
to not only make a national reputation,
but also to add to the sum OF scientific
This case will furnish pre-
codent tor cases to follow, and hereafter |
We may expect to see exports upon the /
witness stand who will not only tell as
what Is already known or the subject I'M /
Ter consideration. but will also give us [
The results OF new researches which have
been stimulated by the cases in hand.
rbe criminal courts may thus become
he agencies OF bringing to light the {
greatest mysteries. and settling doubts '
regarding human conduct that have here '
ofore seemed insolvable. !