Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-01-29
MAINE DISPATCHES.
FROM PORTLAND.
RAJ OF Thomas J. Libby for the Murder
of Lydia T. Snow,

PORTLAND, Jan. %.
The trial of Thomas j. Libby for the uur
der OF Lydia T. Snow, was resumed at 10 40
wednesday, The jury had previously viewed
the scene of the murder at City Hotel I;hbv
appeared self-possessed. The court room
was thronged.
county Attorney Seiders addressed the
jury. He spoke of the solemnity of the case
abous to be tried and the responsibility rest
ing on the jury. He dwelt at length on the
meaning of the word malice" which ex-
pressed rather an intent to do a wrong act
than general malevolence.
Murder in the first degree Is from express
malice Murder in the second from implied
malice. The jury must agree whether the
prisoner went to the hotel with the express in
tention of killing Lydia Snow He reclted
the circumstances of the murder as published
at the time and stated that night
The first witness was Edward C. Jordan,
civil engineer, who prodnced the plan of the
room where the murder occurred He de-
showed by the bullet hole in the wall, that
the first shot must have been fred from the
bed.
The secood witness was Freeman A. Snow
of Pine Point, brother of the victim. He tes-
tilted to the whereabouts of his sister wear
previous to her death. She had worked as
table girl at the West Point House, kept by
the prisoner. from July to August 24th.
Libby appeared cheerful and collected, but
nervous, asif exercising considerable control
of his feelings. During the forenoon, his wife
and daughter, Isa, the latter about Is years
old, came in.
Mrs. Libby was so affected she was unable
to reach her seat without assistance. She
kept her vail over her face and held her head
in her hand The daughter appeared collect
ed. Later, during recess of the court, Mrs.
Libby approached the prisoner, grasped his
hand convulsively and kissed him. Soon af
ter his daughter also approached and kissed
him. The three remained in earnest conver-
saton for some minutes, during which Libby
appeared much affected AT l o'clock, the
court adjourned until 3 z. NJ.
Nancy X. Snow, wife of the last witness,
testified to the murdered woman's leaving
their house Sept. 4th, last.
Charles l.. Little testified to the woman 5
taking a train for Portland that afternoon.
w f. Pingree, night clerk at City Hotel,
testified that he was on duty on the night OF
the 7th of September; at , o'clock answered
the bell from room So; Libby, responded,
opened the door and asked for liquor. |
said the bar was closed; brought him in
water Libby was sitting on the side of the
bed; there was light in the room
all night; when | was there Libby was pleas
ant: answered the bell again at S o'clock :;
the woman asked me to take the revolver
from the man; looked in the door; Libby
was on the bed :: he pointed pistol at me and
| went out; | heard four shots fired; the
woman screeched; they telephoned for the
,ol;ca The officers entered room IS from
the roof of store.
Charles w. Hanson, called by the State,
/ one of the police who went to the hotel on
the morning of the 5th, testified The door
was locked; entered the room as described
bv the last witness; found the woman lying
on her back near the door with blood under
her head Libby was lying on his side with
raroIver near him; the revolver has five
+ chambers and one chamber was loaded when
! found ~ ,
John F. Langmaid, police officer, corroo-
GRATED the testimony of Hanson. lie sad
Libby walked to the hack and from the hack
to the police station with assistance; l rec, rec?
ognized Libby in the room ana asked nun
what he had been doing; he said that ne was
almost dead N, !, ,ho
DR.. Frederick H. Gerrsh, called by the
State, testified was called and made post
mortem examination found two wounds one
nn tho left side of her neck, and the other
li,tIe above and back of the left ear, passing
through the substance of the brain; had no
doubt that this wound was fatal and she died
instantly. 80, sand hen
DR.. Gerrish was still on the stand when
the court adjourned