Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-05-11
| On TRIAL!
nsFl M Masdaaa A!as lie b,
d justice.
The Court Room Crowded to
Sufocation.
Hundreds Unable to Crafty
Their Morbid Desire
10 Get a Glimpse of the Assassin.
IS MERRILL A MANIAC
Was He Temporarily Insane When
He Killed His Mother {?
Did He Have an Accomplish !?
Was He Temporarily Insane When
He Killed His Mother Z?
Did He Have an Accomplish ?
FIRST DAY OF the TRIAL

27th rumors filled the air that an atrocious
murder had been committed at Weeks Mills.
They were vague and underlined. As the
short winter day was dying, several teams
drove swiftly through the streets to the Jail.
little crowd gathered around the entrance
They saw the officers lead young man hur-
riedly into the jail and saw the great doors
closed behind him. The whole affair was
enshrouded in mystery, and the story of the
crime was not accurately known until Mon
day morning when the Daily Journal gave
the full particulars to the public. The
murderer was Charles Merrill, whose
trial began in the Superior Court for Kennebec
county. before Judge Whitehouse, yesterday
From his confession it was learned that on Sat-
urday, Feb. 18th. he had slain his mother by
striking her upon the head with a hammer
| He had tried to conceal all evidence of his
guilt by chepping the body into pieces, and
burning the fragments in the fireplace in the
house. The trunk he had concealed in a
piece of woods between Augusta and Weeks
Mills. The questions now to be ans
wered are Were there any extenuating cir
cumstances? Is the murderer sane?
OPENING THE TRIAL.
| The clang of the Court House bell had
hardly died away yesterday morning when
Judge Whitehouse, with his face stillwearing
the pallor Of his recent illness, entered the
densely packed room. A hush fell upon the
vast audience. All seemed to realize the
moment of the occasion. The court was
opened by Sheriff Stevens in the usual form.
The old jury came filing in, and took their
seats.
The PRISONER.
| County Attorney Heath came before the bar
and spoke a few words in low tone Of voice
to Judge Whitehouse. His Honor sad
"The County Attorney moves that Charles
Merrill, who is now on trial for his life, be
Brought in"
| Eyes, your Honor"
! Sheriff Stevens left the room, and shortly
returned. There was a great sensation as
Merrill entered the room. Every eye was
turned on the prisoner. He bore the inspec-
t;on coolIv. Merrill was freshly shaven; his
hair was nicely combed. and the hair-dresser
had greatly improved his appearance. he
wore a flannel shirt and cardigan Jacket.
He seemed like fresh, young country boy,
and not like prisoner on trial for his life.
Although somewhat nervous. he appeared
vol and made rather favorable impression.
IMrANELING THE jury.
The old Jury retired. and the Clerk proceed
ell to call the names Of the jurors.
VIM. c. Records of Readfield, called Mr.,
poo,r5s ssid that. of course, he had formed
nm opinion on the matter, having read ac-
oo,n,s of the homicide in the papers, and
thought, perhaps, that it would take s'ro"s
ov;dence to disabuse his mind of the impress
zion already made. He was not biased. Mr.
Farr objected to the witness. and he was us
missed for the time, but not discharged
James Q. Preble of Monmouth Drawn lawn.
18th was administered to him. there
being no objection.
Jacob S. Robertson of Monmouth ca'eu'
and subscribed to the necessary oath. III
was impaneled.
Samuel Train of Winthrop, drawn ana i"''
Joshua Grey of Gardiner, drawn ana per
smptorly challenged by Mr.. Farr. ordered
- .,en aside for the while.
n. Ames of waterville drawn ana I'M
paneled. door, and ex
.sod bv Mr.. Farr. Ordered by the ''u'
- s,en aside for the present -,
p,,f,s f. Heath of Pittston, drawn
.s accented. and the oath was administered
Auoustus Fuller of Winthrop dra"" "
NJ was accepted and subscribed to the nee
! essary oath. uo,mouth. draw
: W challenged by Mr.. Farr. oroere' :
Ion aside for the present. ,..~,
: Joshua A. Eugley Of vassalOof0 ~
! Accepted. - p.l.,.de. drawn
a. =. Discharged for ths tins' = s 8