The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-02-24
THE MEMPHIS MURDER CASE.
ALICE MITCHELL AND LILLE JOHN
SON BROUGHT INTO COURT

| Counsel for the Murderess Make an IneRsst-
| uai Attempt to Obtain Knowledge OF the
| Contents OF Letters In the Hands OF the
Prosecution An ERSrt to Have Miss
| = JoSnso. Released from jail ON Hail.
MEMPHIS, Fob. 23.-The Mitchell Ward muir
der case was in court again to-day. Anticipat-
ing large attendance Judge Dubose last week
ordered the court room to be enlarged by tear
ing down the partition between it and the
County Court ROOM The trial was postponed
until the work should be completed. The
court room now is 120 by 40 feet. but It proved
insufficient to accommodate the crowd. As
early as o'clock this morning the people be-
gan to assemble. Both side and centre aisles
were crowded with women and young girls.
At quarter to o O'Clock Lille Johnson en-
tered the court room leaning on her fathers
arm. and behind her came Alice Mitchell be-
tween her two brothers. Both girls were
heavily yelled. Judge Dubose soon entered.
and at once gave an order for the women to
sit by themselves on the opposite aisle from
the men. This created confusion. the dis
placed men making q mad rush to obtain
seats. Then came the order for oil the men
unable to find seats to leave the court room.
In ten minutes quiet was obtained and the
proceedings began.
The case OF Alice Mitchell was nrst called.
Her counsel asked for an order requiring tho
Attorney General to allow the inspection OF
the letters from Alice Mitchell to Freda Ward
now in his possession. They wished to base
hypothetical questions on them to non-resi-
dent insanity experts. to be used in the de
hnatico tnQuirendo. Judge Dubose overruled
the motion. saying that he could find neither
law nor precedent for such request. Gen.
Wright for the defendant gave notice that he
would file bill OF exceptions. to be used rs
part OF the grounds for asking new trial in
the event OF his failing to prove his client in
sane. and In the further event OF her convic-
Miss Mitchell then retired. and Lille John
court writ Of habeas Corpus her
lrst witness called was Miss JoSelphipe Ward:
With viii 'l her sister at the time o. the muir,
End nd sns ot the details Ss. Mcbd
ess pisn ths s hSs t. s:ps ShlSS Vas
FFeda was AND had hen
valise, packed waiting for the boat. when she
4 the Alvin SS %ard Freda
to be the wife and they were to be
t TIM tended to fix guilty knowledge Of Miss
Mitchells murderous intentiSns on Ira, Lille
Gold Dust, Tenn. They firted 80 with men on
frsda snd dsd soS
not 1T ASSOCIATES for her sisters, and 50 wrote
ING terms with Alice and Lille. but Josephine
Ward received the following letter from Lille
Johnson:
* ns Sss
&c
Ssoel: .s:s yoa a.! you want to .aasss:
ss FGss did ih' sas h'R saR ss
hs III ss ceS sc9es m sfs G hs
bb both slisStsd Just Sstqrs TIE fiiiIns. they
seda sga n pT Ss tone A hss
cut Freia's throat Alice said.
have done what wanted !. to do. and
M Mrs. Campbell. the Spanish wife Of Scotch.
man testified 3D., to ~, the &c, c2nYersstion between
": .iiI 60 and az her. s .,..,. :, ~. ..
tsGz n s.t f. snd Ss
the murder. shortly before his boat start.
seiled that he did not Know them 30 until hs
asked who they we're and what they wanted.
the ' Ward girls. saying they understood they they
were to 60 home that evening. and they were
The other testimo ny went to show that Lille
and from her position at the top OF the hill
the deed. Tho State has not contended that
she was an active participant. but that she was
an accessory before and after the fact.
Miss Mitchell bore herself before the court
with the same GOODNESS as has characterized
by the presence OF the crowd. Miss johnson. on
the other hand was very ~ at ease. She bowed
hearing. The inquiry will be continued to- NOR
row and will probably last two or three days.
The inquiry into Alice Mitchells mental con-
date Of that is not yet set; II Miss Mitchell is
declared insane then Lille johnson will be
tried alone Otherwise. the eirls being jointly
indicted. will be tried together: but IN either
event It Is unlikely the case will 60 to trial