The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-09-07
THE DoNNAKER CASE.
Supreme Court Grants a New Trial, Which
Will Probably Take Place Soon.

The sensational case of Rev. Delbert g..
Donnaker of Bowrea, Mass, is to be tried
again. a new trial having been granted
without argument, County Attorney Charles
A. True, having decided that the points
made by H. and ". j. Knowlton. in their
motion for a new trial were fully supported
by the authorities, the motion was graz ted
without opposition.
The firm of H. & W. j. Knowlton, will
now go out of the case, and Mr.. Donnoker
will be defended at the coming trial by
Mayor Frank Noble of Lewiston, who has
been retained.
This case was one of the noted cases tried
during what was termed sthe sensational
term of the Superior court" last winter,
and excited public attention to a very
marked degree.
Mr.. Donnaker's career made him rather
an interesting man. He worked hard to get
an education, and while laboring under
every possible encouragement, succeeded
in working his way through college, and
then through theological seminary. He
was ordained to the ministry, and preached,
and at the same time taught school in the
town of Scarboro. 81
He then removed to Massachusetts, where
he was settled over church. and was also
chosen school superintendent of three
towns. He is still discharging the duties OF
the latter office. While occupying both
positions, he was arrested on requisition
from Gov. Cleaves to the Governor of
Massachusetts, the complaint being that,
while pastor of the church in Scarboro, he
committed adultery with young girl, a
member of his church, and also an attend
ant at the:school of which he was the head.
The case was heard before Judge Bonney.
The respondent was represented by 81. W.
J. Knowlton, and the State by Assistant
County Attorney Richard Webb. Many
witnesses were called, ands very sensation
al features developed. Mr.. Donnaker took
the stand in his own behalf, and made a
direct denial of all the charges made against
him. He added to the sensational features
of the case. by making counter assertions.
After long hearing the case was given to
the jury and verdict of guilty was re-
turned.
motion in arrest of Judgment was
Immediately filed, and the case was taken
to the Law court, it being claimed that the
court made a mistake when he ruled that
evidence to show the general reputation of
MI. Donnnaker for chastity could not be in
troduced.
The attorneys for Mr.. Donnaker claimed
that they could show that their client lad
general reputation for living chaste life,
but that line of evidence was excluded.
Other points were raised, including the
common allegation that the verdict was
"against law, evidence and the weight of
evidence but it was found unnecessary to
bring up any except the one point on which
new trail was promptly ordered.
Mr.. Noble then took the case, Mr.. Dom
Makers fomer legal Representative es finding
it impossible to try the case again at this
term, and the second trial will p, obably be
assigned as soon as the grand jury reports.
1t is understood that new evidence will be
presented, and that the sensational features
of the first trial will be eclipsed by what is
likely to be introduced.
Since his arrest Mr.. Donnaker has not
preached, and will not do so unless he is
completely indicated by verdict of the
jury. He still occupies his Official position
as superintendent of schools. He is now in
this city. and is getting really for the second
trial.
He is a clergyman of the Free Will Baptist
church, and is connected with the. Boston
conference. At the time of the first trial
the church was represented by a Boston
clergyman, who listened to the evidence,
and who reported favorably to Mr.. Dom
maker. The same thing will probably be
done again, as in that way the church will
be able to obtain all the evidence before
taking action, if that should be found
necessary. OF course nothing has been
given out regarding the nature of the new
evidence in the case.