Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-06-06
The CASE RESTS.
Testimony in the Hurd MUIR
der Trial Finished.
No Defence Made DIR. Sanborn o.
State Insane Hospital, Testi6es.
The Prisoner Looks Weary and Haggard bu
Mis- Interest Increases.

Alfred, June 5-Alfred j. Hurd. the
l,iddeford patricide. looked haggari
and downcast when brought into
court for the second days session of
his trial, but during the forenoon he
paid more attention to the testimony
than on the first day.
Officer John Hanson. who found the
bloody axe underneath pile of
clothes in the closet adjoining the
murdered mans bedroom, identified
it. He also identified the clothing that
the respondent had on when arrested
and said that the only blood spots
found We're on the leg of his under
clothing. Deputy Marshal James Mo-
gan, who visited the Hurd homestead
ana participated in the investigation
was questioned regarding what was
seen, saiu and done there. He also
identified the bloody axe which was
found in the closet. John j. Traynor
eX-otiicer, corroborated Marshal Har
mems testimony about the prisoners
confession. voluntarily made in the
police station the day after the muir
der Officer John Hayes, who found
bloody razor under the piazza. as
directed by the respondent, was next
called ana the razor with its Jagged
blade, was again held up for the in
spection of the witness. In cross eX-
animation he said Mrs. Huri, the
Wife of the murdered man, was very
calm during the visit Of the oincers
Officer Louis O. Stuart testified that
on the way to the station with the
prisoner he questioned him, but Hurd
replied that he preferred to wait and
answer those questions in court. Mar
shall Harmon was recalled by the
State on technical point and was
cross examined further in relation to
what was found at the respondents
home. He said there We're numerous
books, among them medical works
and b ooks on phrenology and pro-
verbal philosophy.
Benjamin +. CleaveS and Walter j.
Gilpatric. members of the coroner
| the prisoner was cautioned against
answering any questions that would
| incriminate him.
Upon the coming in of the court. this
| afternoon, the prisoner, Hurd, was
Drought III III charge Oh OIlIceF bOOU-
win. The testimony before the coron-
| ers inquest as read by Mrs. Verrill,
stenographer, was strenuously objected
| to by the prisoners counsel. but was
admitted by the court. The testimony
of the prisoner at the inquest was read
| to the jury by County Attorney En-
MONS comprising % typewriter pages.
| At the close of the same the State
| rested The prisoner offered no tes-
timony, but asked for the benefit of the
States examination made by DR.. San
| born, superintendent of the insane hos
pital at Augusta.
The doctor stated that the prisoner
| had been under his observation since
Jan. u. In substance he said he was
| sane, but on cross examination he said
| his mind was slightly affected. At the
close of his testimony the case was
closed and the court adjourned till s.
tomorrow morning.
| Mrs. Hurd, mother of the prisoner.
was in court, this afternoon. and sat
beside the counsel for the defence, but
| was not called. She was dressed in
deep mourning and was much affected
during the reading of the testimony of
| the prisoner before the coroners in
quest, which was confession in de-
| tail of the crime. The prisoner was 90
years of age, last February.