The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-10-04
GUILTY.
Both of the Chadbournes Convicted OF
Murder in the First Degree.

Both of the Chadbournes Convicted OF
Murder in the First Degree.
DOVER, Me-, Oct 3.-Attorney General
Cleaves commenced the closing argument for
the State at a. m, occupying the close atten-
ton Of the jury four hours without Interrupt
tion. After commenting upon the gravity of
the case and the importance to the security and
and well being of the citizens he proceeded to
discuss in a most effectual manner the various
details Of the crime. He took the ground that
there was a wretched attempt on the part of
the respondents to fasten the crime upona poor
stricken dumb boy that they might screen
themselves and thus go unpunished that if
there was any sympathy to be exercised here,
il should go out to him and not to those that
planned the deed and used him az an unwilling
instrument to aid them in its accomplishment,
and prepared the public mind to believe the
dumb boy was the the party solely guilty. He
described the threats made by respondents
against Watson, the effect of the blood found
on the ear of Benjamin, the blood stains found
on the clothing. arguing that the accumulation
Of blood on both legs of the drawers with but
slight accumulation on the overalls showed
that they were worn by the same person; that
the position of the cut ON the right leg of the
drawers did not correspond with the locality of
the wound on the right leg of the mute that
the signs of the mute previous to the murder,
so far as they could be interpreted and under
stood, implicated his father and brother in the
deed. He urged upon the jury the Importance
OF the punishment of crime OF this secret char
acter, and argued that if the respondents were
to go free upon the overwhelming testimony
against them, presented by the government
we might bid adieu to the enforcement of the
criminal law for the protection of life and sur
render to the knife of the assassin. He de-
clared that it was an absolute impossibiity for
the mute to commit the crime alone. and
argued that he had accomplces that the mute
knew no master except the respondents, that
he was subject to their dictation and control,
that there was bitter feud existing between
Watson and respondents; that they had mo-
tive for committing the crime, while the most
friendly feelings existed between deceased and
the NIUE. who had no motive; that the medical
testimony was conclusive in classes of wounds
on the body of Watson, and that two knives
were used; that the dirk knife found in the
pbncccoton VI tuc SHdQDOuIHo buc cAlnb-
ence Of which they denied, was used with the
jack knife owned by the mute; that the con-
Trajectory and improbable accounts given by
respondents were for the purpose of averting
suspicion from themselves.
a Mr.. Cleaves plea was most able one in be-
halt Of the defenceless and those who desired
to live in security and under the protection of
law.
Judge Symonds delivered most able and
impartial charge, occupying nearly two hours.
The jury then retired and at eight O'Clock
returned a verdict eff guilty of murder in the
first degree as to both respondents
County Attorney Peaks, by reason of severe
labors of the trial is confined 20 his home with
sickness Ever since the crime was discover
Mr.. Peaks has been interchangeable in his Ell
forts to discover the perpetrators, and deserves
much credit for his success. The ability ex-
hibited by Attorney General Cleaves during
the trial has.caused many commendatory re-
marks.
This case has occupied eleven days, and be-
ing the first case of the kind ever tried in this
county has excited great interest.