Evening journal., 1905-03-29
SHIPPERS TELLS
. OF HISC0NFESSION
Declares That He Signed 1t
Under Threats of Co
ercion
HARRIS WEPT As HE TESTIFIED

HARRIS WEPT As He TESTIFIED
Elkton, Nd, March 29.-The Cecil coun-
" court before which John NJ. Shippers
is being tried for the murder Of Albert
Constable, sr., held. a session last night
in order TO finish the case as early as pos
sible. The morning, afternoon and night
sessions consumed more than twelve
hours and the spectators and participat-
ors left the court house at 10 p. IN.
wearied.
The efforts OF the prosecution TO have
the circumstances leading up to the con-
fesslon admitted occupied the night ses-
sion. The jury was dismissed before this
evidence was brought up. But late at the
night session the court decided to admit
the confession in evidence. The defense
wants to show that Shippers was badg-
cred by men who wanted to get the re-
ward for the capture of the murderer Of
Mr.. Constable.
An insane impulse is thought to
have actuated him TO give out his con-
ges ion, which now he plainly regrsis.
Upon his queer actions it is now thought
his attorneys will build up a plea of in
sanity
MURDERER HARRIS WEPT.
Harry w. Harris, the convicted wife
murdered was placed on the stand and
said frankly that he felt he had betrayed
Shippers into confession by the suspi-
cion excited by his efforts to defend him.
Il tried to shieid him from the first" he
said, and when 1 saw that the detec-
tives were gradually gathering evidence
that 1 thought would finally result In
placing the crime upon him, 1 thought
they would trap him, and to save his life
1 hoped that he could confess and plead
guilty to murder in the second degree"
When cross-questioning brought out the
fact that he brought about Shippers
probable undoing Harris cried like
baby.
Albert Constable, son of the murdered
man, took the stand late last night and
declared that Shippers confession was
made voluntarily. Questioning brought
out the fact that his brother, Henry L.
Constable, had been appointed by the
State to defend Shippers in the horse
stealing case, TO which he pleaded guilty.
Warden Weyler, Deputy Warden Rig
sin, Marshal Farnan, Detectives Weaver
and Dougherty and John Sweigert told
Of further details leading up to the con-
fession, which, however, was not touched
upon.
The prosecution AYERS that the confess
sion was voluntary. while the defense
endeavored to snow that it was brought
about by coercion.
SHIPPERS CONFESSION.
Shippers himself, WAS the last witness
called to testify TO the details leading to
the confession. He was cool and collected.
He said:
4 have. been at the Maryland Peniten-
tiary since December q. knew Harris.
never made any statement to him."
Did you sign the statement that you
killed ConstableT
YES" he said. He added that the war
den, the deputy and others were present
when he signed it. He spoke of being
changed from one cell to another.
did you ever tell Harris that you
would cut your throat before you would
be hungy
NO"
did you send for the warden to make
the statement"
NO"
you know what was in the paper you
signedy"
YES"
Did you know the penalty?"
The court ruled it out.
"Why / was compelled 10 sign it be-
cause if did not 1 would have been put
in dungeon cell"
How did you know thisT"
"The warden told me So"
rAllowed to see newspapersg"
mo"
Have booksT
"Two that week"
Were you nervous"
Il was not afraid"
Did you know what you were put there
forf'
NO"
Did you tell Harris to put down your
confessionl
mo"
did you know what it eontainedY'
YES"
Did you read itT'
Five times"
SAID WARDEN THREATENED.
The greatest sensation came at 10
O'Clock last night when Shippers declared
that Warden Weyler threatened to kill
him II he did not confess. He was ques-
toned by Mr.. Bryan.
Did you know the consequences OF
your confessionT'
mo"
did you know that men are hanged
for murder in MarylandY
YES"
You confessed in spite of thatT
Yes. The warden told me that would
never get out alive"
You thought he was going to kill you?'
Yes, / did"
you, dictated the confessionf'
mo. They told me I had TO confess to
what was written down and had 10 admit
that did it voluntarily"
Warden weyler in rebuttal solemnly de-
MED the charges made against him by
Simpers.
Judge Pearce at the close Of the argu-
ments decided that the confession is ad-