Connecticut western news., 1893-08-17
MRS. SIIANN.

Dr. Cantwell said that the body of young Sham could have been disemboweled in 10 minutes, and that it did not need an ex- pert to do it.
 TRENTON, Aug. 15.-The case for the prosecution in the trial of Mrs. Sham hav- ing been finished the defense began. Cap tain Holt made his address to the jury, outlining the defense fully. He held that the insurance men connected with the case had as much motive in removing young Shann's internal organs as Mrs. Sham. They were also interested to the extent of S2. .OO0. He did not charge them out and out with the perpetration of the deed, but wanted the jury to consider all the cir cumstances and in doing that to weigh carefully all that these men did.
 Frank c. Borde who passed him first as sound, sent word to Mrs. Sham the very moment that he learned that his company intended to make an investigation. advis- ing her at the same time to "burn this note" .
 It had not yet been shown, but it would be, that DriBergen, the family physician, had also examined the boy for life insur- ance little time before he was taken i'll. Insurance companies discharge agents If they do not prosecute them for passing as sound applicants for insurance who are
 
 that these men disemboweled the boy. but when motive was talked of the circum- stances must be regarded.
 Suspicion Rested on Others.
 Suspicion has been thrown on the mother alone, while there was suspicion enough to involve half dozen per sons outside the Sham family. Insurance Agent Coughs connection with the case was also com rnantad or, bv counsaI He wont to prinne- ton in the disguise of detective and was the first to mention anything about an au- topsy.
 He engineered the autopsy. His interest in the matter he admitted on the stand when he said that if a murder could be proven his company would not have to pay the insurance.
 The prisoner at the bar was not a mur- deress, and if she had an omplice, as the state theorizes, she must have confessed herself to be one, must have coufided to some one the secret of the awful crime. The state charges that the viscera were removed to conceal this crime. The de- fense holds that they were removed to con ceal the fact that they were diseased and that the interest of the insurance men in their removal was as great as Mrs. Shann's.
 James Packer, who claimed to be an in- innate friend of youug sham, was the first witness for the de ense. He testified to visiting several houses of ill lame with sham in Trenton hrt twrea Christmas and New Years last winter. William McVey also told of dehauchery .u companionship with Sham. McNry adI fitted that he had been convicted in this court and sent to prison. Under cross examination the wit ness was forced to acknowledge that he had served a term for larceny and that sentence had been suspended on him once.
 Hugh Sham, brother of John, the de- ceased next testified that he saw the latter taking medicine Ias. winter and that his brother admitted the nature of his affiic- tion to him.
 Mrs. Harriett B. Gray, a sister of Mrs. Sham, testified that she visited at her house almost every day during Johns ill., ness. She used 10 go into the sick chamber and always talkesi to him. Witness would remain from five minutes to a half hour each time. His mother gave John the most loving care. John could not bear to have her out of his sight and wanted her always to occupy certain seat so that he could see her when he awoke.
 Mrs. Isabella Updyke, half sister of Mrs. Sham, also testified that the latter was devoted to her sick son. Their rela- tions were very tender and loving. Mrs. Sham waited on him day and night and never neglected him tof n minute.