Evening star., 1895-07-11
LATE NEWS BY WIRE
s-
Testimony In Behalf Of Mrs. Far
tall.
EXAMINATION OF PROF.. PENNIMAN
Grounds on Which AcquittaI is
Expected.
NO IRRELEVANT TESTIMONY.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
La PLATA, Nd. July 11.-An unlimited
number Of scientific names. together with
q conglomeration of chemical, Genealogical
and pathological verbiage. bewildering to
the average spectator. and certainly tend
ing to confuse the minds of the members
Of the jury as to the cause of death of
the late Frederick Farrall were the prin-
c!pal matters developed at the session this
morning of the trial of Mrs. Belle Farrall
accused of murder.
At the opening Of court Prof. W.D. Penni-
man of Baltimore, who was called by the
defense yesterday afternoon, resumed the
stand for continuance of cross-examina-
tion. The questioning was long drawn out
and marked by frequent objections on the
part Of counsel for Mrs. Farrall. and also
by repeated requests by the state that the
witness make direct answers and not go
Into long dissertations, followed by rather
caustic replies from Prof. Penniman to the
efrect that proper answers would be made
If counsel should put the queries in ar. in
telligent form.
The situation waxed lively when, after
an objection by the defense to a certain
question. Mr.. Mitchell said: According to
DR.. Penniman 1t is impossible to convict a
criminal by showing that poison was pres
ent In the body of his victim, and now We
disciple in chemistry. l don't propose to
sit here and allow people to be humbug-
Ged by the statements of this Witness"
Col Wilmer was on his feet in an instant
and vigorously noted an exception to the
remarks Of the states attorney.
Shortly before noon Prof. Penniman was
excused and his place on the stand was
taken by J. Benjamin Dyson. The latter
testified that Mr.. Farrali on the Friday
preceding his death, stated to the witness
that he did not expect to live long, although
he was then feeling as well as at any time
Alfred and Fred Bowling. clerks in
Hughesville store. stated that the Far
rails had never purchased poisonous
drug at their establishment, and then DIR.
George E. Mudd. a physician. who has
practiced in Charles county since the year
1S4S, was sworn.
He was asked If the fatal termination
OF case of strychnine poison would be
delayed by the administration of a dose of
morphine, and replied that it would not.
The state. it will be remembered, attempted
to. prove that morphine, as it was hypoder
mtcally injected into the system of Fred'k
Farral by DR.. Carrico on the night of his
illness. would have tendency to prolong
life. The witness added that there was
no recognized antidote to strychnine pois-
oning In existence, The same hypothetical
question asked DR.. Ames covering the
case OF a. man of about forty-eight years
Of age in apparent good health up to the
time he was taken sick, and who admitted
that he had been drinking good deal Of
whisky, and whose symptoms were SINH
lar to those of Mr.. Farrall, was put to
DIR. Mudd. who stated that in his opinion
death in such an instance would not be
due to strychnine poisoning.
As with the other witnesses, the cross
examination of DR.. Mudd was long and
searching. He occupied the remainder of
the morning session. continuing on the
stand until recess was taken at O'Clock.
1t is now an established fact that the de-
fense expects an acquittal only on its claim
death because of strychnine poisoning. The
calm. confident appearance of Mrs. Far
rail- was unchanged today, but the same
look of pain continues clearly defined ON
her face.
, Hall Released.
After adjournment last evening the
states attorney directed the sheriff to re-
lease Eugene Hall from custody. The al
legged paramour of Mrs. Farrall drew the
amount due him as witness fee and de-
parted In great glee.
Mrs. Georgiana Burch Of Washington, an
aunt of Joseph Myers. the boy who gave
important testimony for the defense yes
terday tending to prove that Hall did not
live with Mrs. Farrall at the house lloG y
street southeast, Washington, u. e., ar
rived an La Plata and occupied seat be
side the prisoner throughout the afternoon
session. 1t was the first time during the
trial that Mrs. Farrall was accompanied
by any one other than her two little boys
and Sheriff Aibrittain.
Since the opening of the case for the de-
Tense the almost general belief that the
jury will return verdict of not guilty has
naturally been strengthened. AS heretofore
stated. the disagreement OF the experts can
not other than mystify the jury. and the
opinion of the family physician that Fred
erick Farra1l died from natural causes will
have a strong influence on the twelve men
in whose hands rests the decision.
AS an Instance of the widespread interest
the trial has attracted several New York
newspapers have sent staff representatives
to La Plata C. F. C.