The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-06-21
ARGUMENT OF THE CASE IN THE APP
PELEATE COURT BEGUN.
DECISION AT THE FALL SESSION
The Court to Take Until Then to Study
the VoIuminous Record n Pass
Upon the Points Raised by the De-
fense-The Oral Argument to be
Brfef-The Opening Speech for the
Defense-Hou. David b. Hill Of Coun-
sci for the Prosecution.

Buffalo. N. Y. June 1.-THE second
plea for he life Of Roland 3. Molin-
eux claimed by the law for the mys-
terious murder by mailed poison of
Mrs. Katharine ]. Adams in New
York in December 1898, began today
before the court of appeals. Chief
Judge Parker and Associate Judges
Vann, Bartlett. Gray, O'Brien, Haight
and Werner will decide the appeal and
the respective arguments are in the
hands of specially retained counsel.
John G. Milburn represents the de-
PENDANT and former United States Sem
ator David Bennett Hill speaks for the
people.
The printed recor of the case is h
largest ever submitted in the state in a
criminal case n upon it's considera-
ton during the interim between now
and the fall session of the court, rests
the decision. The oral argument sub
hitting the briefs is to be short. and it
is anticipated that it will be concluded
by tomorrow afternoon.
The officers of the court fearing the
annoyance of a large crowd, locked the
outer doors OF the supreme court room
n admitted the privileged few by the
private entrance.
Assistant District Attorney Lebar
blur of New York, who is assisting Mr..
Hill, was the first to appear and after
him came Barlow S. Weeks and
George Gordan Battle, who defended
Molineux at his trial in New York
With them were General Molineaux,
the aged father of the defendant, and
David n. CarvalhO, the handwriting
expert who advised the defense at the
trial. After them came a corps of
clerks carrying law books and records.
Mr.. Hill and Mr.. Milburn came last,
friendly greetings.
Judge Parker asked counsel if an ex-
tension beyond the two hours usually
allotted to an argument was desired.
Mr.. Milburn said he would probably re-
quire -four hours. Mr.. Hill nodded his
approval and so it was agreed that each
side should have four hours.
Mr.. Milburn began his address for the
defendant with a brief statement of
the charge and nature of the appeal
and following it with what he called a
sketch Of the chief personnel Of the case.
He sketched the training OF young
MolineuX as an expert paint color
manufactured and in turn told OF MS
connection with the K~nickerbocker and
New 1OIh AlIlIcllC SIuDS, Ills ITO AANS~
to Rlanch Chesborough and his rela-
tions with Harry Cornish, manager OF
the Knickerbocker Athletic club. Mr..
MiIburn passed or to the receipt OF a
bottle purporting to contain medicine
and of Mrs. dams death after taking
a. dose of the supposed medicine, ana
contended that the prosecution had
failed to connect the accused with the
sending of the bottle through n mails.
Mr.. MiIburn also attacked the EVIL
dence on handwriting, and as 10 the
Robins egg blue paper with the crest
of interlocked c~reScentS, on Wnlcn sonle
of the Cornish letters were written ne
said il was in general use, so that pos
session of paper of this description by
the accused haG no significance. The
absence of motive for desiring the
death of Cornish, to whom as alleged,
the poison was sent, was comrlen-eu
upon by Mr.. Milburn.
Mr. Nilburn criticised the district at
torney for bringing into the case tne
nama of Barnet who died in the
Knickerbocker Athletic Club mouse anu
attempting to show that Barnets dealn
and Cornish'S illness We're causeu ny
mercury poisoning. The laWyer aieo
blamed the other side for the aItacS
on Mrs Molineux's character. He salu
- had not been proved that CORNISH
received the alleged person In ms poA
ar the club. The prosecution, ne sdlu'
had taken up a series of points, au-
vanced two theories and soushl
connect them and case
against the defendant.
Court took a recess until toIiolIoM'
WHEN Mr. Milburn will conclude MS di
gument.