Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-11-16
IT IS MURDER.
Jury Finds Bradford P. Knight
Guilty. Not Insane.
Prisoner Receives the Verdict Without
Expressing Any Emotion.
Judge emeys Charge to the Jury Model Of
Its Kind.


hours brought in the verdict that Brad
ford +. Knight was guilty of murder
in the first degree. The prisoner re-
celved the verdict calmly and the ex-
preston on his face hardly changed
He sat down and assumed the position
winch ne has taken throughout most
OF the trial. At times, especially Satur-
day afternoon. he has been nervous !:
| but most of the time he has sat with
his head bowed and apparently taking
little interest in the proceedings. After
the verdict he went out as quietly with
| the officer as he has any day Of the
trial.
The jury was seen in their room after
the verdict by Journal man ana after
a consultation the foreman stated that
one Of the ballots stood one for insan-
ity and II for conviction, but would not
state anything more about how the de-
cision was reached. 1t is understood
however, that but two ballots We're
taken.
There We're only a few in tie court
room at the time and the verdict was
| quietly received After the usual for
mula the foreman Of the jury said in
a clear, loud voice Guilty Of murder
| in the first degree" There We're a few
suppressed ordinations from some in
the court room as they realized the full
| meaning of those few words.
| Counsel Heath gave notice that he
will file exceptions This will carry the
case to the law court and the argu-
ments will be made at the May term.
| County Attorney Heselton was
1 emil
of the bar and citizens for his mastery
| handling of the case and the verdict
and Mr. Heath was also the recipient
of many congratulations on his able
defence of the respondent, for whom
no one could have done more or better
| The trial has been a long and costly
one. bur justice has been done. 1t has
been brilliant fight from the opening
day. Every point has been thoroughly
contested and nothing that could in any
way aid in arriving at the truth has III
any way been neglected. 1t will go
| into the records as one of the most
notable Of the murder cases in the
| State.
The charge given by Judge Emery
| was conceded to have been one of thu
| finest ever given in this State in u trial
| where the question of the insanity Of
| the respondent was involved. There
were some of the best judges of such
| matters in the State present when it
was given, and the opinion is unani-
nous. The old principle of such cases
| that had its origin in England ami
which has always been adopted in this
State was clearly explained. Follow
ing is the charge in full:
Gentlemen of the Jury: This trial |
think, has presented to us, looking
upon it as thoughtful men, really
sublime spectacle; one that should
make us thrill with pride that we arr
citizens of State where trial like
this can be carried on.
1t seems that in February last in one
of the cities of this State, in the eve
ming. upon a public street. in the midst
of homes there was shot down in APP
parently cold blood young woman
said to be of attractive personal ap-
pearance and promising: with a moth
er brothers and sisters, all of the fam
lily endearments, said also to have
friends am"ng her own sex and of her
own age, shot down in the way | nave
described by man her senior, and re-
lated to her by marriage. her sisters
husband. from whom We would expect
naturally care, affection and defence
This man was shortly after discovered:
and yet, with all that excitement. not
one hair of his head has been touched.
The people have restrained themselves:
there has been no effort anywhere to do
him any injury or in any way TO an
ticipate the judgment that might be ar
rived at after a careful and impartial
trial. Apprehended. as he was care
fully guarded, not only against his own
escape, but against possible attack |
by irresponsible persons outside. he has |
been committed to the asylum for exami- !
nation upon the suggestion that he might !
have been insane at the time. He has !
had assigned to him at his request one !
of the most eminent counsel in the |
State. and that counsel. with a very |
high idea of his duty. has devoted his |
days and nights to his service at the |
suggestion of the court. showing there |
by a spirit of Self-sacrifice and deVo- |
ton that is commendable. The case |
against him has not been presented by |
the persons injured, not by the family |
Of the poor girl deceased, but by a pub
lie officer, chosen by the people of this
county for that purpose: and he. in be
half of the people of the State. has
prosecuted not in spirit of anger. but
more in sorrow than in anger. Respon-
dents counsel is paid by the State he
has had the processes of the State in
summonng his witnesses. and they are
paid by the State; and, as you have. I
think seen during the progress of the
trial there has been no straining of the
rules of law against him. When there
has been any real doubt about rule
of law it has been resolved generally
in the favor of the respondent. in order
that he might have full opportunity to
interpose any possible defence against
this charge The populace. or the pub
lie, who have been admitted to this
trial have shown their interest, but, so
far as / have been able to observe they
have not in the least undertaken to in
fluence or change your minde. but have
sat orderly and quietly. interested to
be sure, but still not desiring in any
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