New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-19
CASE OF MORRISON, THE DREAMER
GRAND JURY TO BEGIN TO-DAY EXAMINA-
TON OF CHARGE OF WIFE MURDER
AGAINST HIM

The case OF Alfred Morrison the language
teacher who shot and killed his wife, Mrs. Aida
Morrison. in Mount Vernon. on December 2S, is to
be brought to-day before the Westchester County
Grand jury when District-Attorney Andrews and
Chief of Police Foley will endeavor secure an
Indictment against the prisoner for murder in the
first degree. About twenty-five witnesses are to
be examined.
One of the principal witnesses, Miss Grace ONeil
niece or the dead woman has fed to New-Jersey,
and neither the police District Attorney have
been able to get her back to White Plains. She
is anxious to testify against Morrison but It is
said she breads the severe cross examination of
ex-Judge George C. Appel, who is defending the
accused man.
Contrary to general opinion and the opinion of
the police, who did not attend the inquest, Morrison
did not testify that he shot his wife while she
standing at the baby carriage 1t his i'm
preston, although he not positive. that she
was lying in her bed in reclining position
reaching for something for baby which was
sleeping with her In bed the foot of the one
occupied by Morrison. One of the strongest points
of the prosecution has been based this mscon-
ception The bullet entered beneath Mrs Morrison's
armpit and took a downward course through the
body and lodged in the abdomen. The police have
expected to show that Mrs. Morrison standing
at the baby carriage in erect position, and that
therefore Morrison could not have produced
wound of the nature described unless he fired from
a higher elevation than her armpit, which he could
not have done unless he first arose from the bed.
ing that burglar standing over his wife's bed
killing her. and he thought she must have arisen
to a leaning position to get something for the
baby, which ILL.,
Ex-Judge Appel says ne is prepared to show that
MS clients somnambulism and his constant dread
of burglars is hereditary. Two of his witnesses
employed Nine. Morrison, the prisoners mother
as governess in their families Charles A. Singer
said recently:
Nine. Morrison was at my home for nearly seven
years, and when my boys got old for a governess
l employed her son, Alfred Morrison, their
tutor: Nine, Morrison was a woman who
troubled frequently by Nightmares and dreams. She
was especially bothered by dreams about burglars
L was forced to go to the door of her room and
arouse her from her agony. Her screams could be
heard throughout the house and she kept awake
have heard that others had the same experience
with her
Ex-Judge Appel says he is prepared to go even
further and produce witnesses to show that Nor
rison's grandmother a somnambust and
dreamer. On the other hand. there will be some
His plural marriage and the fact that he perjured
himself at the inquest concerning 1t Is break In
Judge AppelIs strong concentration OF defence.
nightgown which Mrs. Morrison the
night OF tragedy, and which is in the pos
session of the police, is said by them to be dam
dscolorations upon 1t which he thinks are powder
marks. and prove that Morrison shot his wife at
close range.
The District Attorney has served a subpoena on
Mrs. Lillian Gordon, Morrisons first wife. and she
will be one of the chief witnesses at the trial.