The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-06-12

CLIFFORD'S STORY.
Says He Was So Drunk
He Couldn't Remember
Killing Watson.
THE MURDERER IN TEARS
Conflicting Testimony as to the
Defendants Condition on
the Fatal Day.


The trial of Detective Edward Clifford
for the murder Of Division Superintend-
emit William E. wattson was pushed rap
idly along in the Court of Oyer and Ter
miner yesterday Afternoon. The jury is
composed of business men, who have large
interests to look after, and who are anx-
ious to get rid of the unpleasant duty de-
v0lving upon them as quickly as possible.
They were willing to sit until min O'Clock
last night in order ito hurry the case along,
and Justice LippincoHt and Judge Hud-
speth had expressed their Willingness to
hold a night session of the court. out the
witnesses for the defence were disposed
of more rapidly than was expected. and it
was decided that a night session would
not be necessary. The defence produced
about fifty witnesses to testify to the good
character off the defendant, and it was
thought that their direct and cross-ex-
animation would occupy a great deal of
time, but Prosecutor Winfel subjected
only two or three of them to cross-ex-
animation.
The defence made a point In the differ
ence of opinion of two doctors, the States
witnesses, as to the immediate cause of
death. DR.. Oestler, chief of staff of the
Roosevelt Hospital, where Mr.. Wattson
died, testified in the morning that Watt
son died of starvation and that there was
no evidence of peritoritiS. The starvation
resulted from the patients Inability to
retain food in his stomach because of the
punctured intestines. DR.. Albert g.. Wes-
ton of New York, who conducted the au-
immediate cause Of death. DR.. Weston.
who has been a practieing physician and
surgeon for fourteen years in New York,
testified tina he made the autopsy. He
was assisted by County Physician Con-
verse, W physicians from the Roosevelt
Hospital, Coroner Dobbs of New York
and DR.. Rooney. He described the charac-
ter OF the wounds and the location Of the
bullets, which were taken from the body.
He found infamed inrestines indicating
and the stomach were perforated, ard one
OF the bullets was found in the small in
testiae. Another bullet had entered Watt
sons back below the left shoulder ard
was found lodged near the top of the
shoulder. Both bullets were IS calibre. The
witness used Court Crier Bowley TO Illus
traie the course taken by the bullet in the
back and the place where il was found.
He said that death was caused by peri
tonatIs. This caused some surprise. as the
vious medical witness had testified that
starvation was the cause of death, and
there We're no Indications of perftonitis.
monnty Phys2clan Converse gave his tes-
intelligible manner. DIR. Converse differs
from the average professional witness in
tt41l nc S4kSS Ills testimony IN Dl1ln.
everyday English, avoiding technical
terms as far as possible. He described the
character of the wounds, and said that
made when Watson was sitting in his
CHAIR or just rising from it. The course
taken by the bullet which entered his
back indicated that Watson was lean
ing over when it struck him.
After DR.. Converse had described the
course taken by the bullet which pene-
Skane was recalled and testified that
sWattson's chair revolved.
Iucien M. BERN, storekeeper for the
rsllroad company, testified tlht his
sons. T was sitting at my desk" he
SAID. when 1 heard the two reports OF
a pistol. They followed zach other in
leading to Wattson's office and saw Cliff
fora standing near the gate. 1 asked
MIN What have you doneg Cliffordj
sag, There IS. pointing at Watson
of the sentence because Just then Watf-J
son groaned, and I went over to pick him
Up | asked Watson What is this?'
Watlson SAID, Clifford has shot me, I'm
over to the lounge"
The witness was about to tell what
Watson said when they were carrying
him over to the lounge and after ihey
laid him On it, but the defence ohiecfed
because Clifford was not present. The
Court sustained the objection.
wlEiam 81. Yearance, telegraph operator
IN Wattson's Office, testified that he sent
Q despatch to Master Mechanic Howard
At New Durham about three minutes AMER
close the contents of the despateh
John Howard, the master mechanic
resumed that he received the despatch
and that he got an engine and crew
reaay. he was not allowed to Civ the
contents OF the despatch either, but IT
IS understood that it was an order to
clan.
Frank H. Newkfrk. the4 train das-
patcher, testified that he heard tbe two
shots in quick succession. II went over
INTO Wattson's Office" he continued. sand
saw him lying on the floor with his head
between the two desks. Clifford was NOT
in the Office"
What did Watson say?" asked Mr.
Winfield. ~ Ni
man object" exclaimed ex-Judge Hof-
Justice Iippineott said that If fine
PROSECUTOR desired to offer Wattson,s
statement as a dying declaration the
while the a~dmissability of it was con.
sidered- Mr.. Winfield said that was what
ne proposed to do. By the direction of
s s4e court the jury withdrew to the
room ana many OF Them lighted cigars
IN anticipation of a Ieng cortroversv
De er the lawyers: They were dis
three minutes, and they were recalled
dne ConstaDies mad a collection of fine
cigars 70 regale themselves with.
me Court decided to admit Wattson,s
statement as a dying declaration. The
witness continued-"When we lifted
Watson up he said, Send for a doctor.
/ told him we had sent for one, and then
ne said, It's no use; I'm a dead man.
I am shot through the stomach.,s JTha
defense took exception to the admission
William H. Curtis, a clerk in the outer
office, testified that he had heard Watson
and q man talking to each other. He
looked In the door and saw the mans
back; They were talking In a loud voice.
He heard Watson say. Clifford, I'm
sorry you've got yourself into this trou-
HE Clifford said, 1--WE been an officer
for fourteen years" The remainder Of
the conversation was dnaudible to the wit
ness. He heard the two pistol shots,
did not go into Wattson's Office. He
afterwards cav Clifford in the waiting
room, and tried to call Policeman Bowen's I
TO him. Clifford wakes up to
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