Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-04-10
PLEADED NOT GUILTY.
Mrs. GetchelI Of Sidney Arraigned
for Murder of Her Husband.
Committed 10 Jail Without eaii-Date OF Trial
No. Settled.

The grand jury came in at 2.30 ?. NJ,
and made special report, reporting an in
dictment against Clara Emma Getchell for
the murder of her husband. Mrs. Getchell
came to the city this forenoon, and was in
an antiroom when the report of the grand
jury was made. AS soon as the grand jury
had retired she was brought in by Sheriff
Norton, accompanied by Mr.. Heath, her
counsel, and placed at the bar.
The law requiring persons accused of
murder to be tried before justice of the
supreme judicial court, Judge Whitehouse
came in and presided during the arraign-
ment of the prisoner and proceedings Incl.
lent the reto.
The Court-Mrs. Getchell, have you any
preference in regard to who shall act as
sour counsel in Your tri4l?
Prisoner-I would like NJ. Heath and
Mr.. Southland.
The Court-For the present, without in
quiripg into the circumstances as to whether
she is entitled to have counsel assigned by
he court ill say, Mr.. Heath, that you
may examine the indictment, if you desire,
and l will hear any motion you desire to
make at this point.
Mr.. Health have examined the indict-
nent and have no motion to make.
The Court-Let the prisoner be ar
raigned.
Clerk TO prisoner Stand up and hold
Up your right hand. Prisoner does as
lirected. Harken to an indictment found
against you:
State of Maine, Kennebec ss. At the
superior court, begun and holden at Au-
yusta, within and for the county of Kenne-
oec, on the first Tuesday of April, A. ID.
1894, the jury for said State upon their
oath present, that
Clara Emma Getchell of Sydney in said
county of kennebec, A. ID 1898, at Sgd
aey, in said county of Kenne bee, in and
hpon the body of William Henry Getchell,
feloniously, wilfully and of her own afore-
bought, did make an assault, and him the
'aid William Henry Getchellthen and there
teloniously, wilfully and of her mali.e
,forethougbt did kill and murder, against
he peace of the State and contrary to the
form of the statute in such case made and
provided.
l.. Carleton, county attorney.
What say you, guilty or nos guilty."
Prisoner-'.Not guilty"
The court said the statute authorized the
presiding justice to appoint competent coun-
ell for the accused when the accused has
,ot sufficient means to employ counsel, and
inquired of Mr.. Heath what he claimed to
be the situation of Mrs. Getchell in regard
70 property.
Mr. Heath said that she had no real es-
ate in her own right, but right of dover 10
real estate ounei by her hus band appraised
It about S2l00 there being one child that
rould share as an heir. There was $500
'r Si00 worth of personal property thai
was given to her in the probate court. lie
'egardea this case coming clearly within
he intent Of the statute.
The court said it would be disposed TO
give the statute a reasonably liberal con-
'truction in matter of this grave impor-
ance. Messrs. Heath & Tuell and +. f.
Southsrl were deemed by the court comre-
lent counsel and it assigned them as counsel
or the accused.
With reference to the time fer trial, the
Judge said he had this morning received
communication from the chief justice desig-
nating him Whitehouse as the justice to
ry the case or to Obtain a sub, titute. He
would be engaged at Ellsworth about two
weeks, after which, he would have the
Oxford term.
In case he held both terms an earlier day
han May II could not be fixed. If he
,ould retain Judge Wiswell to take the Ok
lord term then time early in May could
re set down. His hope was that Judge
Wiswell would either come in and try the
ase or take the tenn in Oxford which
Sould insure trial eary in May.
The time for trial WAS accordingly left
or future determination.
Mrs. Getclell appeared TO be about As
7ears of age. She was cool and collected
turing the entire proceedings snd when or
iered by the court to be committed to Jail
rithout bail until trial, walk, d cut with the
fficer without falter.
Court took a recess until morning at