The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-07-16
REVIEW OF THE HEARING.

sessions OF three days, Iis.c eel atfuil
lively to the proceedings. Fenner wa
removed 10 the court Eaudcuifed t
Deputy Sheriff Harvey Mackey, an
placed in the prisoners dock He is
small man. about , feet inches i
height, weighs in the neighborhood O
100 pounds, with a cast in one eye, re
moustache aud side whiskers. He is a
German descent, aged 81 years, an,
rsarried, having three children. ii
was he object OF much attention, Al
eyes being conferred upon him.
In opening the ctsr, Nj. Hayes asked
that before the preliminary hearing wa
commenced, that he be put in possession
pecting the mnrder, the reason OF BIZ
request being that both he aud the
prisoner were strangers III this locality
He vas totally without such iuforma
ton. He had a few days previously
requested Mr. Crothers to put him il
possession of such papers, especial,
those drawn up on the scene OF the
murder, those made before the COrOner's
inquest and those describing tho nature
and position of wound inflicted upon
Mrs. Richards.
Mr.. Cruthers stated that the reques;
was too sweeping, therefore must be
declined. However would produce several
others he could not produce. Preferred
to have Mr.. Hayes specify the papers
desired.
Mr.. Hayes arose and asked, that the
State throw no impeachment in lis way.
Could not but ask for the possession of
circumstances and facts, knowing that
there were Important statements con-
| cernlng this peculiar murder and pre-
tended robbery. In order for the defence
to be familiar with the premises he must
have the desired information. Ii murderer
had pistol would the court refuse to
produce il? Could any instrument be
| refused? He desired nothing to shield
OF help Fenner, but simply wanted state
ments, facts, etc, for the sake of iufor-
nation. Repeated the request that they
all DC produced. w. S. Evans replied
| that the State must show facts to Justify
| the holding Of the prisoner. Unless it
did show facts he would not be held.
Whatever was produced should be done
at the discretion of the State
Hay es-''l do not ask to bave disclosed
facts to influence the Sz.se casa. My
request does not imply such. As counsel
for the prisoner | desire only information
because unfamiliar with he scene and
particulars of this murder. Help us if
you can by granting such information.
Was it by pistol CT kuife?-5y club
or an iron chss!? Can't we have that?
Nothing to help Fenner, only to gain
Mountaineering ~ il lDi.Ir, Justice
Scott, ral,d that tie iutormatiol be
given at the discretion OF the State.
Au iutermission was taken during
which Mr.. Hayes examined various dia-
grams, and when the case was again
taken up, Mr.. Crothers stated that he
had offered everything that lie deemed
advisory, some could not be pissed over
Mr. Hayes--'T would like to sec the dia.
gram portraying the location of wound
inflicted upon Mrs. Rchars"
Mr.. Crothsrs declined to produce it.
Mr. Hayes moved that the State wit
nesses be excluded from the court room,
except witness under examination.
At this jaucture Mr.. Cro.hers remark
ed that If the Justice deemed it neces-
sary, he would extend Mr.. Hayes the
diagram Of wounds inflicted on Mrs r.,
stating that the diagram was in his poss-
ession.
Justice Scott:-"Is it desired to ex-
Guide the State Witnesses
Nr. Hayes-'Those testifying to tie
murder must be excluded when another
witness is upon the stand Did not
want one witness to hear another testify.
Mr.. Evans-"Exclude witnesses on
both sides" Insisted that the defen-
dant's witnesses be excluded.
After several ars uments Justice order
ed that the witnesses be excluded. The
first witness called for the State was
J. GRANVILLE RICHARDS.
aud upon qustions of his counsel made
the following statement: am the hus-
band of Mrs. Jeunie Richards. We
resided near Polter's Bridge, Cecil
county, Md. The murder occurred on
the night of Sunday April 70, 1891. l
arrived home on Saturday evening from
merchandise at the Custom House. At
home once a week. Mrs. Randolph
L2ngdon, 4 sister in law OF Mrs. Richards
whose maiden name was Jennie Lang
don, was visiting at the house having
arrived on Saturday. April 18th. The
evening of the murder, Sunday, April
II. 1891, himself and wife, his four boys,
and Mrs. L.ngdon spent the evening
most pleasantly in the sitting or dining
room, on the south east corner OF the
house, all retiring between 8 and 10
or not, before retiring from the room
Mrs. Langdon spoke of hearing noise
outside, which alarmed her. Mr..
Richards replied that he thought the
noise was caused by rats, with which
the honse was infected. They then
retired, Mr.. and Mrs. Richards with
! Hampden their six year old sou, occupied
| the room on the south west coraer,
second story; the three boys slept oppo-
| site: Mrs. Laugdon occupied the room on
! the northwest corner. The only other
| occupant of the house was IA colOred
servant, Florence Boldly, whose room
was situated in au addition to the back
| of the house.
THE MURDER
The room occupied by Mr.. and Mrs.
| Richards was a large second story south
west corner room. Two windows faced
| front, and the third on the west side
| against which the right side of the bed
stood, the foot board being toward the
bureau which was placed between the
front windows. Mr.. Richards slept on
the right side of the bed, little Hampden
being between INN and Mrs. Richard.
About midnight Mrs. Richards awoke
| him, saying that some one was in the
room. He called out:-"Who is there"
lie received no reply and called out
again:-"Who is there? speak or I'll
shoot" His wife moved aud simultan-
e9usly shot came from across the foot
board. from the direction of the bureau.
He Immediately seized his revolver