Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-04-15
THE WIFE MURDERER.
Closing Proes edinSs i'm the Trial Of Frank
e. Pease.

Mr.. Henry r.. Falee, counsel for the de-
PENDANT, spoke at considerable length to the
IL men who were to give the verdict in this
case, basing the defence upon the testimony
of some 10 witnesses that there was insanity
in the family, and that the prisoner himself
had shown effects of the faint.
Attorney General Marston, in speaking for
the government, briefly reviewed the circum-
stances Of the case. He did not think that
there was ground for defence of suicide on
the part of Mrs. Pease, as had been intimated,
or that the shooting was an accident. The
cries of Mrs. Pease. ''Save me-save me
from Frank; he is killing me, )" leave no room
for doubt in these directions Therefore it is
evident that Pease shot his wife deliberately.
As to the evidence to show his insanity, and
insanity in the family, it is rarely that any,
thing is presented more vague and indefi-
mite.
When Marston concluded his argument,
Judge Morton said to the prisoner in the
dock "YOu now have the right and OPP
portunity to speak to the jury. Do you de-
sire to do so %
Frank Pease, with his thin effeminate
hand trembling on the railing of the dock,
said not word. The Judge repeated his
question. The young man ran his fingers
nervously through his peculiar reddish.
curly hair, and with his eyes upon the wall
opposite was still silent Finally he spoke in
q low but distinct voice.
~ would like to ask" he said .'if. in case
l am convicted, may have a new tralp
81 can see no reason, young man, why
you may expect that" returned the Judge.
The boyish prisoner sank back into the dock
without another word, and folded his hands
to keep them from trembling.
Judge Morton then delivered short charge
to the jury. and stated clearly the principles
of law applying to the case. He spoke Of
the various degrees of capital crime and the
distinction drawn between them, but stated
that it was for the jury to decide which was
the fact in the present instance. The extent
to which insanity hereditary or otherwise,
would remove responsibility in legal sense,
was sharply defined.
The jury then went out.
The inoffensive looking prisoner. guarded
on either side by large-limbed sheriffs, was
also conducted from the court room. The
gray-haired judges soon left their bench and
the counsel and other members of the bar
deserted their enclosure. Blu: there were few
among the witnesses or the friends and rela-
tives of the accused who cared enough for
lunch to adjourn to where it could be OBJ
tanned. Meanwhile the twelve men who held
the life of Frank Pease in their hands devot-
ed themselves to hearty dinner, and in the
fulness of time deliberated upon the evidence
in the ease and proceeded to ballot.
At 5.45 the judges were on the bench once
more, the throng of lawyers at the bar and
the court room crowded to its utmost capaci-
ty. Every one waited in breathless interest,
and the individuals in the gallery craned their
necks that nothing Of interest might be lost.
Led by his sheriff, the prisoner came in and
took his accustomed place in the dock. The
jury followed shortly behind him and fled
into their box.
Judge Morton arose.
Gentlemen of the jury" said he, look
upon the prisoner. Prisoner, look upon the
jury. Mr.. Foreman, have you agreed upon
a verdict in this csse?'
1--WE have" replied the foreman in firm
voice.
us the prisoner at the bar guilty, or not
guilty?"
Guilty" came the irrevocable reply.
I'VE find him guilty of murder in the second
degree"
At this announcement. of his fate the fea-
lures of Frank Pease were as emotionless as
ever and his full eyes gazed mildly upon the
twelve men who had refused to believe him
insane and thus free him from the legal re-
sponsibility Of the most horrible Of crimes
He tilted back in his chair in the dock.
twirled his slight, sandy moustache, smiled
family at one of his friends, but expressed no
feeling of surprise or disappointment. As
far as outward appearances were concerned.
there was no man in the court room rho had
less interest in tine decision of the jury. The
court then adjourned without further delay.
and the prisoner was driven off in . cab to
the Suffolk Jail.
HE didn't care much about which way il
vent" said friend of the condemned.
1t is said that at the first ballot the jury
we're eight to four in favor of rendering a
verdict Of murder in the first degree. 1t i,
not considered likely that any exceptions will
be taken by the counsel for the defence. Sew
eral minor ones were noted in the early par
of the trial, but no one expects them to b.
insisted upon.