The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-10-28
FIVE YEARSIN STATE PRISON
DIR. j. EDUARD LEE WILL PAY THIS
PEN.IL1Y FOR HIS CRIME.

The Story of His Trial and Speedy Convic-
tion-Miss Palmer's Story Uncontra-
dicted-Lee Maintains His Old Time
stoicism-Mo for Now Trial-Curious
Crowd Follows the Prisoner.
The case of DR.. J. Edward Lee,
charged with criminal assault with in
tent to perform abortion on Miss Birdie
Palmer of this city, was called at II
o'clock yesterday in the criminal supe-
rior court, with Judge Thayer on the
bench. Some time was occupied in the
selection of jury and James Elliott
of Ansonia and Joseph Bronson of
Beacon Falls were excused from jury
duty, as they stated that they were
already preiudlced.
After the reading of the complaint
Miss Palmer was put on the witness
stand. She testified substantially to
the facts as already published, and
among other things stated that when
she left Derby to come to New Haven
after being at the Mansion house in
that place with DR.. Lee in September
last, she waited in the toilet room of
the depot for the train as she wished
to escape DR.. Lee, who was waiting on
the platform in front of the station.
When the train arrived she climbed
out the window, being assisted by the
conductor of the train, Thomas +.
Ruth. Mr. Ruth was put on the stand
and corroborated the statement. Mary
Denney, housekeeper at the Mansion
house, testified to DR.. Lees brutal
treatment of the girl while in the hotel.
After short cross examination, Miss
Edith f. Newton, the nurse who at
tended Miss Palmer at Grace hospi-
tai, was called. She told of the girl
coming to the hospital and Of the birth
of the child. Miss Palmer was much
exhausted.
Dr. H. P. Sage was the next witness.
He was present when the child was
born. He saw the child, and while he
disclaimed being an expert, he testified
that in his opinion the child was not
injured.
The state closed it's case at this point
and Mr.. Chase asked for time to pre-
pare his defence 1t was granted and
court adjourned until 2 o'clock.
At 2 o'clock Mr.. Williams said that
he had a little additional testimony
he wanted to put in. He called Elijah
Palmer, father of Miss Bird Palmer.
Mr.. Palmer said that he never knew
anything about HIS daughters pass
ing as DR.. Lees wife. Neither did he
know of the girls condition.
Mrs. Annie M. Palmer, the mother,
testified that she knew nothing of her
daughters condition.
Mr.. Chase DR.. Lees counsel, was
| then notified that he might proceed
with the defence. After a short con-
sultation with DR.. Lee Mr.. Chase stat
ed that the defence would rest its case.
| The arguments began at once and were
brief. The case was given to the jury
at 3:45, and after being out fifteen min
utes they returned with verdict of
guilty.
State Attorney Williams In his plea
for sentence asked the court to impose
the maximum penalty, which is five
years in state prison and $1,000 fine.
Mr.. Chase requested that sentence be
deferred until this morning in order
that he might file a motion for an ar
rest Of Judgment.
This was denied and DR.. Lee was
sentenced to five years In states pris-
on
Attorney Chase was permitted to file
a motion for a new trial, and DR.. Lee
went back to Jail.
The crowd in the court room and in
the lobby awaited the passing of the
sentence by the court with expectancy.
| Just why no one could explain, but
somehow there seemed to be a feeling
that Lees stoicism maintained
throughout all the vicissitudes of this
and former trials, would desert him.
The crowd was mistaken and it could
hardly restrain from giving audible ex-
preston of its surprise. DR. ]. Edward
Lee stood without flinching near the
same spot in the court room where he
sat during the days of his first trial
and received the sentence. If he felt
its weight he did not show the least
sign of it. When the court had finish
ed imposing the sentence the pris-
oner turned and spoke to his attor-
ney, Mr.. Chase.
Miss Palmer who had been in the
court room during the whole of the ar
guments and while the jury was con-
sidering the case, was much affected
when the sentence was pronounced
She Immediately left the court room
with her parents.
When the crowd in the lobby under
stood that Lee would be taken to the
Jail Immediately there was rush fol
the yard below The sheriff and the
prisoner were obliged to elbow through
two hundred idle curiosity mongerss be.
fore they reached the street. A ma.
jority of these followed the couple te
the cars at the corner of Church an6
Chapel streets, where the sheriff ant
the prisoner boarded the cars.
If new trial is not granted Lee will
be taken to state prison at the close o.
this term of the superior court. Unless
pardoned Lee will have four years anC
two months to stay at Wethersfield
This will depend upon his conduct
however as two months are taken of
each year of the sentence if his con
duct is good.
|