Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1897-04-08

In the cross examination the Witness
stated that in the majority of cases OF
arsenical poisoning where arsenic had
been administered as many as four
DAYS prior to the death OF the patient,
that fatty degeneration of the heart;
liver and kidneys would be manifested
to greater or less degree. 1t was his
opinion, from the question put to him,
that the poison was administered on
the Friday and at subsequent periods
before Marsh's death. He would not
say that watery eyes, Inflammation Oh
the skin and labored repiration are
invariable characteristics of arsenical
poisoning, but that they sometimes
appear. All attempts made by the
defence to induce the doctor TO ac-
cert the chronic Brights disease was
in vain, as he chung with iirmness 10
his previous statement as to the cause
of death. He stated that il he dld not
find newly-connected tissue in the
cortex of the kidneys, he should not
believe him to be affected with
chronic Brights disease.
One witness was examined Ihurs-
day morning which complete the
taking of testimony. Erastus Hunt
lev was the witness and told of con-
yersation with Marsh a week before
his death in regard to the purchase by
Marsh of certain piece of land.
Marsh was to take it, paying for It as
soon as he could get the money from
his fathers estate.
The opening argument for the stale
was made by u. 5. Stanton, who out
lined the circumstances attending the
death of Marsh, prefacing 1t with
brief statement of the law applicable
TO the case. He reviewed the testi-
mony, LAYING stress on the por tons
which tended to show the guilt
of the respondents. w. A. Lord fol-
lowed with a plea for respondents,
commencing with a brief statement OF
| the gravity of the duties OF jurors.
lie laid great stress OH the testimony
tending to show the i'll health OF
Marsh, criticised the outcome OF the
autopsy and asked the jury to decide
whether il was hastily conducted or
ill-managed. In regard TO the motive
of respondents, he argued that the
state had proved that Marsh was UNI
observing of the intimacy of respond
ents, so there was no need OF their
committing the crime. lie attacked
the veracity of some of the witnesses
with pronounced effect. His argu-
ment occupied the entire afternoon.
Friday morning eX-Gov. W. i. Dill
bingham commenced his argument for
the respondents and occupied nearly
all day. At the outset he pointed out
the vast difference between adultery
and murder and the relations Of the
former to the latter. He spoke OF
Mrs. Marsh's asking Mrs. David
Brown to come there and live if she
should leave Marsh and asked the
Jury if this looked like an intention
on her part TO murder Mr.. Marsh.
The testimony of the witnesses as to
Mrs. Marsh's threats to murder her
husband-one in particular testified
that Mrs. Marsh had said she intended
to murder him for two years-was
commented on, and Mrs. Marsh's re-
marks that Buzzel's sister would soon
be a sister of hers, and similar observa-
tons, were, he claimed, only the flip
pant remarks of light-headed
woman. Mr.. Dillingham; devoted an
hour TO the occurrences at the autopsy,
characterizing DIR. Linsley's manage
ment of it as thoroughly unprofes-
sional. He laid great stress on
Marsh's suicidal threats, to refute the
evidence of foul play.
Hon. Frank Plumley spoke about
an hour before the closing of court III
the closing argument for the defence.
He resumed Saturday morning, occu-
pying all the forenoon and about an
hour and half in the afternoon, in
all five and one-half hours. He began
his argument with plenty of scorn
and sarcasm levelled at the respon-
dents, holding up especially theiI
shameful intimacy before Marsh's
death and afterward, while his body
lay in the house. lie said il was fully
established that Marsh died from ar
senical poisoning and not from dis
ease Who administered the poison:
He held that the desire to be rid OF
Marsh SO as 10 enjoy their liaison was
sufficient motive. Marsh would not
have taken arsenic and then been 50
anxious to recover and never have
disclosed it. The respondents had
exclusive opportunity.
Mr. Plumley's plea was one of the
strongest ever made in Vermont and
created powerful impression.
Judge Rowell's charge to the jury
followed. 1t was a model of fairness
and sound legal instruction.
The jury retired at about 4:30 and
court took a recess to Monday morn
ing.
AT about II o'clock Monday morn.
ing the jury came in. The prisoners
were brought into court. The room
was crowded with spectators. The
foreman reported the verdict as
"Guilty of murder in the first degree. =
Mrs. Marsh never moved a muscle,
but Buzzell was visibly affected.
ExcepfiOnS were noted nv rpSDon1pnfs =