Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-04-05
OPEN CONTEMPT
Shown by Judges for Self
Confessed Murderer Jones.
Judge Jerome Says Evidence Is Not
Enough to Hold Patrick.
Defendant Shows Great Nerve and Even As.
sists Jones in Testiiying.

millionaire VIM. Marsh Rice, which
rose above the ordinary. Possibly the
one which stood out from the proceed
ings most prominently was the an
nouncement maze by Justice jerome,
who pfcsideS at the hearing, and vnicn
probably shows Wny Lawyc: Patrick
accused with Jones of the murder o.
the former Texan. has all along TAX
On the accusation Of Jones AGAINST
himself with Il 6emcanor almost bor-
dering on contempt.
Attorney Moore for the defence had
asked that when the hearing closed fol.
the day it ne not resumed until Tues
day. Justice Jerome in giving his con-
sent said:
1t is necessary that Jones teSti-
mony as to this murder should be cor
roboratcd. He being q self-coafessed
accompiice his testimony alone is not
enough upon which TO hold Patrick"
Attorney Moore tersely added TO this:
I'VE understand that, and we suppose
the district attorney does, too
Mr.. Moore added that ne presumed
the district attorney would spend the
intervening time in an effort to secure
some cOrroborative testimony. The
willingness of the defence to give this;
opportunity TO the state is taken as
trongly Indicative of their confidence
in the ultimate outcome being favor
able to Patrick.
The other incident brought out in the
clearest light, the indomtable nerve of
Lawyer Patrick. In the face of the
reiterated story OF Jones that Patrick
had instigated the murder and the for
geries, the latter took his place in the
court proceedings with rs much non
chalance as he would if he had been
suddenly called on to act as an inter-
prefer in a police court clothes line
case"
At one point il became necessary
that statement made by Jones be
read. The papers-Nvls given into the
hands of one of the counsel for the de
fence for that purpose. This was the
statement in which the valet claimed
Patrick killed Rice and which he has
since denied. The reader hcsita,ed and
stumbled over the written words. Sud
denly Patrick interrupting, said:
Here. I guess l can make it out: I'll
read it
This was agreed to and in a loud,
clear voice. he read: "'P' got a towel
and sponge and saturated the sponge
with Il colOrless liquid he had in n bot
tie. Then he Went into the room were
r. lay in bed. I Jones) was not in
the room. but opened the door and
peeped in. p was standing over r.
with the cone-Shaped towel in his hand
and he pressed it down over RS face
Patrick was still reading with no
show of emotion when Justice Jerome
ordered recess for luncheon
The ops" and RS" in the state
ment stand for Patrick and Rice.
At another point in the proceedings
Justice Jerome gave his estimate of
Jones with characteristic terseness. At
torney Moore had been racking the
witness with questions all tending to
bring out the Wallets lying propensities.
He showed by Jones that Jones had
lied to and deceived his own father
when the latter called on him in the
hospital after he attempted suicide.
that he had told untruths to Attorney
Osborne and that he had lied to his
own counsel. Here Justice Jerome
struck in with the remark:
This witness is a weak, wicked and
unfortunate man. He is a self-con-
fessed murderer and deserves con-
tempt. but l won't allow you to insult
him."
There was very little new matter
brought out at today's hearing. The
whole of the crOss-eXamination Of Mr..
Moore. Patrick's counsel was confined
to showing up Jones as a man who
could not be believed. When court adj
formed it was until next Tuesday.
Charles r Jones. the valet secretary of
the dead man. was recalled and his cross
was resumed. Jones said
that on the afternoon before he attempt
ed to commit suicide he wrote some let
tiers. When he got better he destroyed
them all. He did not think they had been
were written until he destroyed them ex-
cept when he was taken from his cell to
the district attorneys Office. One of the
letters was to Fred Il. House. who was
his counsel at that time. While in Belle
vue Hospital he received visits from Cap
tain Baker of Texas. one of the witnesses
Of the 1896 will. Later he was called upon
by Mr.. Battle. his present counsel.
What conversation took place between
you and Mr.. Bat.lc? asked Mr.. Moore
After Captain Baker had introduced
me to Mr.. Battle he went away. Mr. Bat
tie then said he tood from Captain
Baker that | wanted him to represent
me- Mr. Battle said he was willing TO be-
come my attorney and would do the best
he could for me.
Witness said Mr.. Battle ca led on him n
the hospital three times. on lis second
visit. witness said Mr. Battle was accom-
panied by Jones father. Witness said he
had n conversation with his ia Their abOIt
f. mily affairs. II felt bad" said Jones,
and my father was very much distressed.
/ referred him To MIR. Battle for anything
rcga riding the Rice case.
.Did YOU expect him to tell your ia her
all In regard to the murder of your bene-
cactor. that you had told him.
tones said that he had thought that
was the understanding.
.So' said Mr. Moore, I'm that heart
ranIin, moment when your father WIS
.orrowf,j at your awful disgrace stood
If YOUR bedside and the tears Of you both
f,o;yel freely, you referred your father
- AR Rattle for information regarding
~ r,irdcr Of Mr.. Rice?"
II never said that l was weeping wit
..yom did not feel bad enough to cry
,bough YOUR father was broken-heartcdy'
No" -, >.. ~.
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