Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-07-14
Local Matters.
MUCH plscusseu QUESTION.
lury's v.rt let in the Death Of Albert e. hamIl-
ton Siill under Fire.

The verdict of the coroner's jury on
the death of Albert f. Hamilton, has
created a great deal of criticism. both
favorable and unfavorable on the
street. Among some it was stated
that there was no more reason why
the jury should return the verdict that
Hamilton was struck by train, than
they had to say that he met his death
by being run through a planning mill.
On the other hand the legal fraternity
took a different view of the matter.
One of the local attorneys who has
had occasion to follow every move of
the jury and who knows every word
Of the testimony, stated that under the
circumstances there was no other YER
dict which the jury could bring in.
.Circumstantial evidence he said. was
the only thing the jury had to go on.
There - was.. nathing in the evidence
that would show that the man met his
death from any other cause than by
a train, while the circumstantial evil
dence on the point was very strong
It<has been the opinion Of the officers
who have been looking into the case,
that Hamilton dropped there beside
the track and remained lying down.
Even the noise of the train passing
above him did not arouse him until
the last car was nearly passed. Then
ne rose to see what was going on. At
that point a bolt projecting from the
step of the rear car struck him a
glancing blow and produced the wound
which resulted in his death. The jury
was there to give their opinion from
the evidence at hand and what it could
obtain. the manner in which Hamilton
came to his death. None of the evil
dence produced or available was 50
strong as the circumstantial evidence
as to the death by a train. Hence the
decision.
The officers had exhausted every
clue that would lead to clearing up the
mystery and had been able to produce
nothing which was not conflicting,
that would assist them in coming to
a verdict. different from that given.
A funny thing occurred in the ex-
perience of the officers in chasing up
evidence. One of the men who had
been on the stand made a minute ex-
animation Of the ground Beside a
pool of blood he found an ordinary pin.
This he thought might be of assistance
to the officers in clearing up the mys-
terry and it was turned over to the
authorities.
There are those who hold that the
verdict was not in accordance with the
evidence. and they state that if the
railroad had been a person the circum-
stantial evidence was not strong
enough to lead to an arrest were the
railroad personified and in a position
where it could be given a trial. To
this the officers reply that the jurors
were there not to secure a conviction
but to give a verdict from the evidence
at hand.
The case was generally discussed
after the verdict had been given and
among the people on the street the
majority holdthe opnionthat the train
was not responsible for Hamilton's
death. th.f
Because the jury has given its YER
dict it does not follow that the case
Is of necessity closed If strong evil
dence against any particular party or
parties is found it may be taken before
the grand jury and the ease be re-
opened.