Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-05-22

! BnOTU-SuOrJer ny BOOu uedl lHuu MI.
/ Trent-and had dark beard or whis-
kers. She had only a glimpse of him in
passing; he stood rather sidewise toward
her She did not think he was seated,
but could not swear that he was not.
She was sure she saw hair on his face.
He did not at all resemble the prisoner.
She was able to give no explanation of
his being in the house. Mrs. Simpsons
evidence was the only thing of any
weight brought out in favor of Darke,
but the old lady weakened a little under
the district attorneys severe cross-ex-
animation.
Daniel Parker, a policeman on duty
near the house on the morning of Feb
ruary twenty-six, testified that he was
summoned by the witness Simpson at
fifteen minutes past six a. M, and de-
scribed the position in which he found
the body. After making brief survey
of the promises he got assistance and
communicated with the captain of his
precinct.
Frank Munroe, detective, said that
the case had been put in the hands of the
detective bureau at eight o'clock on the
morning Of February twenty-six, and
that he had been detailed to investi-
gate it. There was safe in the study
ut the new house; it was open, and
it contained papers; by whom it had
been opened, and whether or not any
papers or valuablcs had been alb
stracted from it, there was nothing to
show. The windows of the rooms were
close and fastened; there was no sign
anywhere Of forciDle entry. From in
formation he obtained, he believed that
the prisoner, keppol Dasba, was the last
person with Nh Trent before the lat
ter's death. He obtained a warrant for
his arrest, and served it on him at his
studio, in West Twenty-third street, at
ten minutes boiOre eleven o'clock a. m.
February twenty-six. The prisoner, just
before his arrest, was overheard to say
something about killing the deceased. On
being arrested he asserted his innocence.
Olympia Raven gave her evidence very
quietly and clearly. She had known the
prisoner for year. She had commits
stoned him to paint her portrait for pre-
sentation to the deceased. The twenty
fifth of February was the day appointed
for the last sitting. She had arrived
with her mother at the studio at half
past ten. The prisoner had informed
her that Mr.. Trent had told him the
night before that he was contemplating
marriage with her. She had denied the
truth of this, and her denial had brought
out the avowal of the prisoners love for
her, which she had reciprocated. At
that moment the detective had entered
and made the arrest
Cross-examned, she deposed that she
had frequently seen japanese knife
similar to the one produced at the priS-
oner's studio; she had admired it greatly.
She had noticed nothing III the prisoners
manner or speech at any time that was
inconsistent with his perfect innocence
of the charge. She believed him utterly
incapable of such a crime.
Mrs. Raven, recalled, said that she had
thought Mr.. Darke behaved very queerly
on the morning Of February twenty-six.
He looked dshcvcled and ha-gard. and
WAS violent in his manner. She had sup
posed him to be intoxicated.
Or. Taylor dopo,ed as t. tho appear
anoe and character Of tie wound that
caused dcccasel'a death. The blade had
penetrated the left lung and reached the
heart. Tho blow must have been de-
lIrorcd by n person standing behind the
victim. There WAS no sign Of a struggle,
Death must have been Instantaneous.
Various witnesses testified to the priS-
, oner'5 good social standing and preyiou,
, good character.
Mr.. Banick, in his speech for the de-
Tense, admitted that the prisoner had
= been in Mr.. Trent's house on the night
, of tho murder, but asserted that he had
lcft it before eleven o'clock. He had
gone to ak Mr.. Treut's assent to his nit
to Olympia Raven. Nc. Trent, in refUs
| ing it, had observed that he intended
marrying her himself. This statement
o which was confirmed by the tos,imoE!
of Mrs. haven, a witness for tho prose
t cution. showed that the deceased mus
: have been man of loose morals, for i
t had been shown that he was at the tim,
2 already married to another lady.
\ man Of loose morals j. certain tC
have enemies, and such enemies rs ar,
apt to be moved to murder. Again, Mr.
. Trent was Il dealer in diamonds; h" wa,
g known to be often in possession of grm
t Of immcuso value; he NIGH, easily hav,
/, been murdered on this ground; but i
5 was not even pretended that this ha,
= been the prisoners motive. In fact, n,
p motive whatever had been assigned 70
to be informed that one has a rival in
ladys affections is certainly not mo
tive And not only We're the prisoner
, social position and character incIIuplti
BILE with such a crime, bat his couduc
r. on the evening Of the murder could no
F. he reconcilcl with a guilty purpose. III
had given his true name to the porter a
the club, and had left him with tn
e avowed intention of going to seek Mr.
' Trent at his house, Again, he had an
n uouuced himself ly name TO the care
/ ta6er, Simpson. Persons meditatini
. murder DO not act in this way. As re
=. garded the dagger, the prisoner freukl.
p adini,Cel 1t TO be his. HE had taken i
S with him to Mr. Treuts house tha
D night for peculiar reason, which iron