Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-02-27
LBcoSEY,s Lore raIAL.

-
A chicken Coop and Barroi Which
Figured in the Evidence Bnd Been
Isemoyed-Fne Murdered Girrs
Pastor Chats With The Prisoner.
CAMDEN, N. j., Feb. l9.-For three
hours and ten minutes Chalkley Leconey
was on the witness stand in the great
trial for the murder OF hia niece at the
Camden court house to-day, protesting
his innocence, charging in his testimony
the negro Francis Lingo with the perpe-
tration OF the foul deed, and denouncing
Garrett Murray and Billy Smith, the non-
descript farmer, as criminal liars and
perjurers. At the close of the proceed
ings he was still under examination in
chief, and the prosecution had not had
chance TO FIX their fangs upon him.
During the lengthy examination the spec
tators who filled the court room to its
fullest seating capacity preserved the
deepest silence, and strained their atten-
ton to catch every word Of testimony
that the prisoner gave in his own defence.
IL was the most impressive scene of the
whole trial, because 1t was the frat pub
lilo utterance that Oh lkley Leconey had
given of tho crime and the circumstances
which surrounded it. The prisoner was
as cool az II he were sitting on bag OF
GRIM in his country mill, with nothing to
think OF or worry about beyond the petty
cares and duties OF his farm. He ap-
peared self-possessed, shrewd farmer,
telling some little narrative of his life.
There was not the slightest hitch in bis
answers, save when his attorney, ex-Judgs
Panooast, occasionally checked him with
the admonition stop; didn't ask you
that; answer merely my question:
ChalkleT was well coached witness.
As Judge Pancoast ratified oil question
after question the accused man answered
them quickly and without tremor.
This dialogue manner rather exasperated
the prosecution, who sat biting their
fnger nails and auxiolsly waiting for
their opportunity to make the prisoners
replies less mechanical AB the testimony
procested Prosecutor Jenkins and the
Acting Assistant Prosecutor II. s. Jenkins
began TO raise objections to the leading
character Of Judge kancoasts questions,
aud both sides frequently inuulged in
hair pulling.
HE CHARGED LINGO.
Taken in its entirety, the substance of
Chslkley Leconeys evidence was pro.
testatiou of his own innocence and the
guilt OF the negro Francis Lingo. There
was no hesitation on the part OF the
prisoner 10 bring out every point that
would lead the jury TO think that Lingo
was either the perpetrator of the deed or
directly implicated in it. Together with
Lingo as the perpetrstor, Garrett Murray,
the trustworthy farm laboreE of the de.
PENDANT; Billy Smith, the alleged half.
witted farmer, and William Harris,
another coiored man snd boon com
panlon OF Murrsy's, were made to appear
as fellow-conspirators in tue crime, and
the hrst two as perjurera before tribu.
nal OF law and justice.
Under the soorehing fire OF this teBti-
mony Murray and Lingo occupied seats
on the front benches OF the courtroom,
betraylng no signs Of emotion and gazi 2
stolidly, as If Rstolished at the boldness
OF the witness. In the first part Of his
testimony Leconey recounted the story
OF Anniss first appearance on the Le-
coney home, and how she finally became
the housekeeper for his deceased brother
Richard and for himself The prisoner
described how the farm and tho mill
were managed during his brothers. life
rime, and the separate duties th Il each
had. Then followed some incidente
which the prisoner rscited to show the
great affection he always had for his
niece. lie mentioned the various pres
ents which he Gs well as his brother
Richard gave to the girl, and where he
was accustomed to tske her on visits, the
expenses for which came from his own
pocketbook. Ohalkley then wove into
his narrative tho story of his brothers
death, the amount OF money that the
latter left in caah IN the old wooden
chest and what became of the deceased
mans eBtnte.
Through the words OF the accused man,
his examining counsel, Judge Paneoast
then introduced Garrett Murray in the
recital, and Cbalkley related how he
came total stranger TO his farm and was
given work. The suspect told OF his
short employment Of colored man,
Willism Hairis who appeared to be Muir
rays boon companion. simultaneously
in hia testimony Laeoney recited the fact
that Lingo was working systematically
for him at the time. After bringing the
three negro characters in the scene, the
prisoner related that Harris suddenly left
him, with small balance to his credit,
and later Lingo also quilted his employ,
promising to return on the day that the
tragedy occurred.
TIE NEGRO AFTER MONEY.
The accused man then proceeded to
point ont the fact that L ngo had baen
helping hiE to pick cittons for the mar
ket, and wss coglizan. OF the big prices
that the produce was tringing at the city
markets. When he was paid of for his
work he heard the noise Of the falling Of
the lid Of the chest from which Annie
Leconey procured the money to pay the
negro. Chslkley then gave q detailed
description OF Lis oitson field. the
qusntity that he and Garrett Murray
picked on the fatal morning, aad
the amount Of money which no had re.
ceived from the produce commission
merchants for the vegetables. The eoiored
camp meeting scene, in which Garrett
Murray told Lingo TO be sure and come
early the next day TO 20 to work, was re.
lated, and the prisoner recited how in
his bed that Sunday niRbt he had over
heard his "truth-tel!ingn negro inform
ing Annie Leconsy that Lingo had prom
ised to come, and would arrive in Tins
for breakfast. Continuing, Chalkley told
when he arose on the fatal morning, and
the numerous duties that he performed
while his niace was preparing breakfast,
/ Garrett Murray was made FOR the tirst
lime 20 appear in his part Of tho teali
mony as Q lisr. Trio prisoner spoke OF
tho lew chores that Murray attended 10
before ths three sat down to bfsakfasS,
Lingo having failed e appenr. After the
meal the accused man and the negro
4 drove in tho tfnGk wagon TO tho citrop
/ field to begin their days work. Chalk
ley then stated Lhat the last time he saw
/ Annie alive was at breakfast in the
1 ki.HEa-1 kHar eric Id ,tn,cyjbr5 ~