Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-04-19

e says those were innocent remarks made hy
Il him in protesting against the report that his
II father had said ''d--d critters poison" In
l. his last nom, nts. He did not believe h {
i father SAID an, thing of the kind. Finally
e there was apparent indifference and irsensi.
t bility on the part of the defendant after his
e fathers death. The next day after the fun
l eral ne met DIR. Tash and said, "Well, Doc,
l everything is calm this morning" Going to
the shop he told the workmen he should now
take charge of the business and wanted them
, 10 work for his mothers interest The de-
, tendant says these were both insignificant re-
marks, and should not be perverted to the
prejudice of the defendant. l have thus
commented upon the leading points in the
evidence and the contentious of the coun.
sci.
Now, gentlemen, forbear to comment
further upon the details of this case The
testimony is all before you. l need not re-
mind You that consequences of the greatest
moment must follow the verdic, which You
Will render IN this case. You are under
oath, gentlemen, TO render that verdict &C.
cording 10 the evidence, evidence addressed
to your minds and to your consciences.
There is no grander spectacle in life than
that of free people enacting Just, wise and
benetcent laws for the common good and
then through their servants, the courts Of
justice. seeking impartially and faithfully to
enforce those laws for the common protec-
ton of all. There is no higher interest for
man ON earth than justice. Ii is the highest
function and concern of civil government to
administer it, The whole social fabric rests
upon principles of justice and reason, and IL
You would maintain it all laws must be faith
fully and impartially enforced. They are
enacted and penalties are imposed for the
special purpose of holding men up TO a Just
and proper sense of their respcns bility for
their conduct, of teaching men self control
under temptation. The exercise of sympa-
| thy, gentlemen, is not to be deprecated.
sympathy with the suffering and distress of
our fellow men is certainly characteristic of
all true hearted men. Its exercise, say,
is not TO be deprecated, so long AZ it
does not usurp the throne of reason
| and judgment. But when it is permitted to
create tumultuous feeling so that il over
whelms and controls the judgment, it Of
course had no office in a court Of Justice
We are here TO determine important issues
of fact upon law and evidence. 1t is of the
| utmost concern to the destipies of the prison.
or on the one hand, to public justice and pub
lie protection on the other, that you should
faithfully and firmly adhere TO this duty to
determine the issue upon law and evidence
alone. Let your verdict be so in obedience
TO the law and the evidence that it shall carry
satisfying assurance TO all the people with
in our jurisdiction that the majesty of the
law is over them when they lie down at night
that the protecting arm of the government
is round about them as they move among
their daily tasks. The protecting arm OF
the government is yet over this respondent.
The majesty of the law is still round about
him. You stand between him and the yet
awful penalties of the law. The duty rest
ing upon you is grave and solemn one
gentlemen. | feel sure that you know it,
and, knowing it, that you will faithfully,
consccntiously and impartialy perform IT,
The jury tooS the case at five minutes past
four AT 10 they returned into court, and
the prisoner was placed in the dock. The
following proceedings then took place;
Clcrk-,ate vs.. Charles l.. Bcale. Gen
tlemen of the jury; Have you agreed upon
vcrictY
Foreman-Wc have.
Clerk-What say you, Mr.. Foreman Ia
the defendant, Charles l.. Bcale, guilty or
not guilty!
Foreman-Guilty.
Clerk-Of whaty
Forcman-Murder in the first degree.
Clerk-Gentlemen of the jury, harken to
your verdict the court has recorded IL.
You upon your oaths say that Charles l..
Beal is guilty of murder in the first degree.
So say you, Mr.. Foreman; so say you all.
The prisoner was then remanded to Jail.
The jury went out at L. NJ. The throng
that filled the court room did not diminish
in size however The prisoner was sur
rounded by circle of friends and he still
retained his wonted cJmposure, no anxiety
being visible in his face. His mother
seemed If anything, more anxious than here
tofore. At about $50 whisper went
through the room that the jury had prac-
tically arrived at decision. 1t was also re-
ported that three jurors had stood out up to
this time. At 6.l0 Sheriff Ramsdell sent in
word that the jury had agreed. Sheriff Nc
Fadden called the court To order and the ju-
~ came in and took their seats. The pris-
oner was then seated in the dock.
1t was one of the most impressive scenes
ever witnessed. The audience held their
breath and those standing tipped with expec-
fancy. When the verdict Guilty of mur-
der in the first degree was rendered a res
pration came from the throng that sounded
almost like hiss, SO intense had been the
strain of excitement. The mother buried
her face in her hands, but the prisoner new
or tlinchcd till he was led out between two
sheriis and reached the outer door, when
his strength apparently failed him and he
had to be supported to the Jail. Last even
ing little knots of people were gathered to-
gether in the streets and the sole topic was
the discussion of the trial now ended.