New-York tribune., 1902-04-12
OWNS TO BASTARD CRIME.
PROFESSOR MILLER TELLS HOW AND
WHY HE RUTCHERED MISS
JENNETT

Detroit. April 11.-PrSfessor Joseph NJ Miller
at II o'clock to-day confessed to the
murder of Carrie NJ. Jennett whose pouy
was found early yesterday morning. win the
throat cut, the neck broken and the head bat-
tered lying in lonely and dark spot on Thir-
teenth-st. His confession showed premedlta-
tion and a degree of coldblooded determina-
tion to do away with the girl, who would nave
become mother in short time, seldom met
and more seldom confessed.
Miller was the subject of what in New-York
would be called the third degree, but which
is here designated as the "sweatbox. 1t is a
cold, hard examination entirely without license
of law. but which is used sometimes with ex-
cellent results persons whose guilt is almost
patent.
After being in the "sweatbox' an hour and
twenty minutes Miller broke down and con-
fessed to the crime Assistant Prosecutor Mer-
riam three officers and the official stenographer
OF the Police Department present. Miller
said that he had had Illicit relations with the
girl for two years and responsible for her
condition He said he offered to send Miss Jen
nett to a lying in hospital but she refused to
go insisting that he leave his family and go to
some other city with her This he would not do.
On Wednesday night, when he started from
home for a lodge meeting, he had an engage
ment with the girl and intended to Kill her
He took the hatchet that was found by the Of
fcers yesterday in his kitchen with him. He
secreted it on Seventeenth-st. on his way to the
meeting. When he left the lodge rooms he re-
covered the hatChet and walked to Four
feminist and Warren-ave.. where he met Miss
Jennett They walked TO Thirteenth-s st.
and out to where the killing done. Miller
saws they sat down on the sidewalk and talked
for while, the girl urging him to abandon his
family and leave the city with her. He then
whipped out the hatchet and struck her on the
head. When asked why he mutilated her so
Miller said he had recollection of anything
after the first blow until he found himself wip-
ing the blood off his hatchet on the grass in
the vacant lot.
Throughout the narrowing recital Miller was
remarkably calm. betraying no emotion and
comparatively little nervousness. AT first Miller
denied any knowledge of the murder, and later
was inclined to be defiant. telling the officers
that they undoubtedly thought themselves ciev-
er. and he would. therefore, leave II TO theIn
to prove that he was guilty. But he began TO
weaken after long questioning. While ne was
being closely interrogated by Mr.. hunt as 10
when he had last Miss Jennett, he turned
suddenly upon Captain Baker. who sat where he
could look the prisoner full in the face
Look at that mani" cried the murderer
dropping his eyes before the steady gaze of
the police captain. His eyes pierce me through
and through" 4 shudder passed over him, and
he hung his head for second Then raising IL
with considerable effort. he glanced at Baker
again and added: Il guess that man mas II apou|
right: ask him..
on Monday night Miller made an appointment
with Miss Jennett to meet at Warren-ave. ana
Fourteenth-st about IL o'clock Wednesday
night They were 70 discuss what had best be
done in view OF the expected birth. tie said ne
fixed the hour at j because ne had 10 attend
A meeting of the Wolverine Circle, while she
said she going to a committee meeting at
Garland Rebekah Lodge.
when did YOU make up your mind TO kill
the girl?" Miller asked
Last Wednesday afternoon he answered
II yas thinking of what could be done. and Of
my being married and with family. when my
eve fell on n hatchet in my house. 1t seemed
to tell the way out of the trouble. and the idea
of killing the girl swept over me with trresiSt-
ible force then.
Il felt that I had to do something. he went
on in a lower tone Il felt that had to get
rid of her She was infatuated with me. crazy
after me- and continually chasing me. II |
gave concert anywhere she was sure to be In
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