Morning journal and courier., 1885-01-17
THE COURT RECORD,
Superior COurt-CrfmfnaI Sfde-Jud

In this court yesterday the closing scenes in the trial of William Johnson for the mur- der of his wife, Augusta Johnson, at Wal lingford last September, were enacted. The gallery of the court room was filled with people, and among them were many whose familiar faces are always to be seen at crimi- nal trials Johnson sat at the east end of the lawyers table, gazing intently at judge and jury. The young gentlemen who are studying stenography and who expect to make their mark in the world when they be- come proficient in their profession occupied the table assigned to reporters and spread themselves in manner that almost made it impossible for the scribes to find sufficient room in which to give the public through the daily papers the doings of the court. Sheriff Gates, however, corrected the evil in short order aud the ambitious stenographers were obliged to take back seats, and it is hoped that hereafter they will be made to keep in their proper places.
 When MT. Hall, senior counsel for the cused, commenced the continuation of the closing argument for his client, he carefully reviewed the testimony of each witness and
 
 for his wife and children and argued that all law should be so administered as to perpet uate the inviolability of the family relation ship. The family troubles suffered by the prisoner were enlarged upon as tending to show the unbalance of his mind at the time of the killing of Mrs. Johnson. The point was made that when the man went into his house the night of the murder it was for the sole purpose of persuading his wife to go somewhere and live with, him where she would be out of the reach of Arthur Jack son, who was nearly killed at the same time that Mrs. Johnson lost her life. That John son had not premeditated murder was said to be shown by his want of prepara- ton for escape. Moreover, on get ting into the house he passed by the bed whereon his wife was lying and proceeded to chop Arthur Jackson, the unpremeditated killing of the woman taking place afterwards. It was further said that the fatal blow which was struck must have been struck not after the assault on Arthur Jackson, who was in bed as said by the State, but while Johnson and Jackson were fight ing, after the men had been for some time struggling together. Counsel said that if the man Smith was in the house, and so it ap- peared, he might have struck the blow which killed the woman. There another axe there which has not been found and that axe, if found, might have blood upon it and be used to sustain the theory that the accused did not kill his wife at all. The axe found did not, in the opinion of counsel, make the T1r1Sc To1D 'S If Johnson showed no evidence of having been the one used in the killing.
 MT. Halls argument lasted until noon, after which 0 shert recess was taken.
 At the reconvening of the court, State At torney Doolittle commenced the closing ar gument for the State. In his remarks he said that it not his business te try and convince the jury to convict a prisoner un- less the facts and evidence were conclusive. He only asked them to do their conscientious duty That it was cold, premeditated murder he had no doubt and it was sworn to by three eye witnesses. He sneered at the idea that anyone but Johnson was the murderer. The other members of the family were perfectly friendly to John sons wife and had harbored her when John son had abandoned her, seeking refuge in Massachusetts. for misdeeds He had no cause to kill her. He reviewed infinitely the testimony of Johnson and dwelt at length on his admission that he killed his wife and was 'Ed-n glad of it.'' 'fThis is sufficient" said MT. Doolittle, ito convince anyone that he went to do what he did do. Talk about your premeditated murders? This is one if there eyer was one.'' He continued by saying that the man had no excuse for his crime. He had known that his wife was acting improp- erly for six or seven years and yet the de fense had claimed that he insane, which they could not prove.
 The State attorney read from the authori- ties to show that towering rage was not such a justification as to make the crime only manslaughte- For seven or eight years Johnson had been complaining of his wifes bad conduct There was no sudden impulse. The only excitement he suffered from made by gin. At Middletown, when he found her in house with Cap1es and knew of her wrong doing there, he told Caples to get some gin. When the two men quarreled, his only complaint against Caples was the blow he received and for which Caples was sent to jail. He found no fault with his wife. This was before he stole by night into the Smith house in Wallingford, where the murder was done
 Attorney Doolittle closed the arguments for the State at half-past 1 o'clock, and was followed by Judge Granger in his charge to the jury, which was very short, concise and to the point. At 215 the jury left the court room and began their deliberations.
 At 3:45 o'clock the jury returned to the court room and every eye was turned upon them. The clerk called the roll of the jury and when the clerk asked the foreman if they had agreed upon verdict there was ment of breathless suspense, and then came the answer, 'FGuilty of murder in the second degree"
 The senior MT. Hall arose and said to the court that they might desire to move for new trial.
 "Ample time will be given you" quickly re- sponded his honor.
 Without passing sentence Judge Granger excused the jnry until next Tuesday morning at 10:30 o'clock, and shortly after directed the sheriff to adjourn the court until that hour.
 There seemed to be a sentiment in the court room after adjournment that Johnsod would receive all the punishment he deserved in being sent to State prison for life, and a little more. He cannot, however, receive any less under the verdict.