The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-05-08
FATHFJL VERDICT
Barnes Guilty Of Murder in
the First Degree.
The JIk Was Unanimous From
Moment il Took the Case.
Slayer Of John Dean Hears Decision With
Slight Demonstration Of Feeling.

Lowell, Mass, May S.-"Murder in the
FIRST degreee' is the verdict against Lo-
renzo w. Barnes OF Maynard, who, dur
ing the past week. has been on trial on
an indictment charging him with kill
Ing John Deane the 18th Of last Decem-
ber.
The verdict was unanimous from prac-
tically the first moment the case was
given to the jury. The IL men to whom
his fate was committed deliberated upon
II two hours and IL minutes. but could
have reported, with the consent OF all,
some considerable time previously.
The sense of the jury was tried as to
second degree. but no feeling i'm favor
OF such a Judgment was developed. 1T
was clear case" said a juryman after
ward. I'VE discussed IL fully. and three
ballots were taken to see what the feel
ing was There was no desire to make
the verdict other than murder in the
first degree"
Barnes accepted the verdict with cool
ness and without any exhibition on emo
tlon. He IL a tenant of the East Cam
bridge jail today, with the shadow of
death hanging over him.
mitted at his home at Maynard late I'm
the afternoon of Dec. II, and the body
was discovered lying on the kitchen
floor between and $3.50 by his daugh-
ters. The skull had been nearly cleft
by an AK which lay near the body on the
floor, and 800 or more In bills that Mr.
Deane usually carried was missing.
Lorenzo Barnes. aged about 80 years,
and a tough character In the town. was
suspected. and a little inquiry revealed
the fact that he was spending money
freely. and was seen to have 500 In bills.
Blood spots were found on his clothes
and he was seen to throw a pair OF blood
stained rubber boots into the river.
These and other discriminating circum-
stances were brought out at the trial by
the prosecution. and q complete chain
Of circumstantial evidence was pre-
1entcd.
The defense endeavored to show that
the murder was committed by two
trarnps, and that Barnes was led to the
house by the cries of Farmer Deane.
Hereditary insanity was also offered as
a plea. The trial began Monday morn
Ing. and Judges Blodgett and Dewey
were on the bench.
County Withous Board of Coz Aissioners.
Concord, N. H.. May S.-Merrimack
county is now in the peculiar position of
having no board Of county commission
ers. Michael Lorden, one member Of the
board, died few weeks since; True H.
Maxfield. another member. resigned on
Thursday, and late yesterday afternoon
Loren S. Richardson, the third member,
ha pdpH N his reSiDpo tion Tbesa roe;
nations are directly due to the petition
to the supreme court by the attorney
general for the removal of the commits
sioners from their positions on the
ground Of malfeasancc in office. A hear
ing on this petition was held Thursday
and was postponed until Monday next
Whether IL will then. be continued In
view of these designations, is doubtful
Messrs. Sullivan and Shirley, the legis-
lative committee of Investigations, at
whose instance the petition was filed by
the attorney general. say they have no
desire to push the matter. now that the
removal OF the commissioners from
office has been accomplished. At any
rate there are three vacancies in the
county commissionershlps OF Merrimack
county, which will be filed at once by
appointments by the supreme court.
Fortune Given tn Charity.
Dedham. Mass, May 8-The will OF
the late John Ruggles of Brookline was
filed In the probate court yesterday.
By IL, after private bequests, 1t be-
queathes the residue to his wife, Mary
Louisa Ruggles, provided. however.
II there shall be any of said property. or