New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-11
MORRISON MAY GO FREE.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY SAYS HE CANNOT
FIND A MOTIVE FOR HIS CRIME.
HE DOES NOT THINK THE FEAR OF ARREST FOR
BIGAMY sUFFICIENT-THE PRosECU-
TION wEAKENs.

District Attorney George c. Andrews, Of West
chester County and Chief of Police Foley. OF Mount
Vernon yesterday continued their investigation Of
the of Alfred Morrison. the Mount Vernon
wife slayer and alleged bigamist After a confer
ence with Chief Foley at White Plains District At
torney Andrews went to Mount Vernon in the
afternoon and saw a number of the witnesses who
furnished the testimony at the inquest of Mrs
Aida Morrison upon which Coroner Banning ac-
quilted Morrison OF the charge of the intentional
killing Of his wife. Dr. Ferris and the boy, Elias
Reyman. to whom sensational statements have
been attributed also examined. after which
the District Attorney, with Chief Foley. went to
New-York. it is said, to have a talk with the
woman whom Morrison married under the name
of Frederick Gordon. Before leaving Mount Vernon
Mr.. Andrews said to Tribune reporter:
mo action viii be taken in the case before
Thursday, and it may be that nothing will be done
before Saturday. There is one thing that want to
say. and that is that l regard the action which was
taken by Coroner Banning at the inquest per-
fecty proper and natural considering the appear
of the at that time. At that time the
dead woman's sister. Mrs. Ihlenberger. and her
niece. Mrs Grace O'Nef concurred in the verdict.
They now believe that Mrs. Morrison was
dered. and 1t is upon dispositions made by them
that the prosecution for murder. If begun. will be
based"
1t was practically admitted by the District At
torney that all of the testimony upon which the
police will work is that which was taken at the
inquest and the additional statements which Mrs.
Ihlenberger and Mrs. ONeil made to him at Mid
dletown and Port Jervis. The story attributed to
DR.. Ferris that Mrs. Morrison shot by her
husband while she was standing up and that
therefore the bullet could not have taken vertical
course. entering the arm and passing in a down
ward course to the abdomen. disposed Of at
the inquest. where II contended by Morrison
and not disputed by any Of the witnesses both
he and his wife were lying down in separate beds
when he fired at her. Much Of the question of
Mr.
final settlement Of this point. When pinned down
by Coroner Banning to a statement of the exact
positions of himself and his wife when the shooting
occurred Morrison said
1T was all a terrible dream. I thought there
was burglar standing over my wife killing her
1 did not know that she hurt until heard her
scream, and then I awoke with the smoking D. .stoI
in my hand
District Attorney Andrews also failed to find any
thing in the statement Of the boy, Elias Reyman
who visited the Morrisons on the night of the
tragedy. but went home before 1t occurred, that
throws additional light on the case. His brother
Samuel Reyman. spent good part of the next day
at the Morrisons'. Mrs. Morrison. he says assured
him that the shooting was an accident. Just be-
fore she died. continued Reyman. "she said three
words to me which won't repeat" When pressed
ne nsGfc salG the W0Tgs were ran done don 1911 f6T
more inclined to look to Mrs. Ihenberger and Mrs
day i' IS sad ePad on her o
mer statements of Morrison's cruel treatment Of
visited her al Middletown
Mr.. Andrews thinks that motive for murder Is
lacking The only reason | could assign for such
crime said he ''is that Morrison may have
killed wife No 2 in order to prevent wife No. l
from bringing bigamy proceedings against him. but
such terrible crime this account Is almost
credible. In fact, although 1 am not quite sure
am under the impression that the bigamy charge
is outlawed."
The authorities say that they have intention OF
bringing lunacy proceeding against Morrison.
Patrolrnan Grant. who watched Morrison on Tues
Sa ag A5oh 5oa mhg fhaa he e had SSn
tied by cries Of Help me. Help me! Help mei'
issuing from his room. He moaned and struggled
and cried out in his sleep and 1t necessary for
a servant to go in and arouse him.