The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-29
CONVICTED
OF MURDER.
John c. Best Found Guilty Of
killing George {. Bailey.
JURY OUT OVER SIX HOURS.
Prisoner unmMed When He Heard Verdict
Counsel Giea Month 10 File Melton
for New Trial

Salem, Mass, March 29.-With a smile
on his face and a pronounced nonchalant
air, John q. Best heard a jury Of l2 Es-
sex county citizens condemn him as
guilty OF willfuliy numbering last October
George +. Bailey, hs fellow workman. az
the Drukhart Hill farm, IN saugus
verdict of murder in the first degree
ia MASSACHUSETTS, means but one thing
ceath-and Best stands In the shadow OF
the electric chair. The jury debated a
little over six hours with a short re-
spite for supper. about an average length
Tor capital case based on circumstan-
tial evidence, finally agreeing that Rest
and none other committed the fearful
deed OF shooting Bailey dead I'm his
tracks, of cutting up his still warm body,
or placing the diSmembered parts i'm bur-
lap bags and then trying TO hide his
crime by sinking the CHASTITY remains in
pond some distance away.
But murder will out, and the poor
shriveled remains OF the Saugus farmer
were recovered piece by piece. 10 final
~ confront the author OF the deed and
bring him to justice.
As soon the verdict was announced
Lawyer Siske the attorney for Best, no.
tilted the court Of the usual intention of
filing motion for "A new trial and one
month was allowed him To do So
ALMOST LAUGHED.
Then, turning TO his client. he spoke 20
him a few words of cheer, which Best
apparently did not need, for he smiled
again and almost laughed as IL the result
of the terrible 10 days strain was a mat
ter OF rejoicing, rather than for sorrow;
Of f,ar, rfc-
onment and ignominious death stared
him In tha face.
Judge Sherman, after the clerk had
polled the jury, complimented the IL
rather haggard-looking men for their
patience and the conscientious perform
ance of their work and then dismissed
them, while Best. shackled tn two Off
GERS, was led back 10 his lonely cell The
jury left the court room at 4:49 yesterday
afternoon and returned az 1l:0i last
night, a period of six hours and fifteen
minutes.
Best had been taken out of the court
room and TO the Jail while the jury were
out, but was brought in again, shackled
10 Deputies Bishop and Crowley, who had
been sent for him at II O'clock 10 min
utes after the jury had sent in word
that an agreement had been reached
Judges Sherman and Fox. who had been
In their private rooms. took their seats
on the bench. There was a large num-
Der of spectators I'm the court room.
When Best took his seat i'm the prison.
ers' pen his counsel, Lawyers Siske and
Clark. Were there to greet him. The gov
ernment was represented alone ny the as
sistant district attorney. Best smiled
with rather an indifferent air as he look
ed about the court room. Lawyer Clark
spoke To him. and a minute later Attor-
ley Siske Joined them I'm an earnest con-
versation while the Jurors were taking
their seats.
HE WAS UNMOVED.
The only way Best showed he was in
any way interested in the proceedings
was when once he glanced over the
shoulders Of his counsel at the jury box
IL was just 1880 when the judges took
their seat and Clerk OF Court George
called the roll OF jurors.
The prisoner was called and stood erect
and the clerk asked the members OF the
panel II they had agreed upon a ver-
dict
'Wo have" was the answer in con-
cert
Foreman John A. Lane Of Newburyport
especially showed that he was bearing
the verdict in his face, which was pale.
and his lips trembled. The clerk ordered
the Jurors TO rise, and told the foreman
TO look upon the prisoner. He then said:
What say YOU, Mr.. Foreman, Is the
prisoner at the bar guilty or not guilty?"
Foreman Lane. in "A hardly audible
voice, answered: Guilty of murder In
the first degree"
NO CHANGE or COCNTENANCE.
When these words were pronounced
the prisoners eountenance DID not change.
and there was not even "A tremble OF the
hand. Before Best took his seat Attor-
ney sisks stepped toward him and whis-
pered words of encouragement.
Judge Sherman thanked the Jurors for
their faithful service, and said the pris-
onsr had had n fair trial and very able
who had done everything IA their
power for him, and added I'VE must all
be satisfied. IL was a proper verdict un-
der the circumstances"
Attorney Siske then announced his in
tention To move To have the verdict set
aside and TO ask FOR new trial.
The nnal adjournment of court was
made al lll0 o'clock last night, when
the prisoner put on his hat and coat with
ost - sign OF emotion, shook hands heart
ily with Attorneys Siske and Clark, and
smiled as he left the room shacked TO
che deputies lie was hurried 20 the jail
in carriage.