The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1905-04-01
SHIPPERS TRIAL


to escape nor been punished for break
ing rules. Did not send any message by
anybody to the effect that he wanted to
make a statement or confession. Was
asked if he knew the penalty for muir
der. Ruled irrelevant Witness signed
the statement because he was compelled
to do so. The warden told him he would
be put in a dark cell or dungeon if he
did not He hau been kept in his last
cell for about six days before signing the
statement. v ac> not told why he was
transferred to that cell. He was search
ed. The detectives Doughcrty and
Weaver had told him he was suspected
of Mr.. ConstabeiS murder. The day he
signed the statement Warden Weyler
asked him how Il mgln could get from
Hollands house to Iron Hill. Witness
told him He read the statement five
times after he signed it. He Sworc to it
later nr rather acknowledged it. He
WAS ekc'l no further questions Harris
and i>.@in We" prrs,:t when the war
den threatened HIM with the dark cell
if hr iii net "a the statement. Wit
ness did Hot know that anything would
come from the confession. The warden
told MIR Constable THAT Shippers had
made 4 >iatemcnt They made him glc-
voluntarily. Warden Weylrr told him
that he would never get out Of the Peni
tcntisry alive, in the presence of Harris
and Riggin. the night before unless he
did 80. The detectives had never threat
pned him.
Deputy Warden Riggin recalled War
den Wrylcr never threatened Shippers in
witness presence with the dark cell or
dungeon if he did not sign the statement
read t" him.
Harry Harris recalled. Warden Wey-
Ter never in witness presence told Sim
perS he would not leave the prison alive
OF threaten him with the dungeon as
SinpcIs had sworn on the stand.
Warden Weylcr recalled. Shippers
statements on the stand were absolutely
false. Witness sent Riggin for Shippers
when informed that he wanted to make
4 statement. This closed the testimony
as L. the statement and confession of the
accused and argument upon their adj
mi>Sililty begun
Mr.. Mulliken, for the defense. said it
was well settled that confessions to be
admissible must be absolutely volun-
tary. 1t was easy for officials to force
cOnf". $iDnS. and it was not singular that
prisoner should risk his life or trial for
he might be subjected. There was no
evidence, aside from Harris statement.
that SINNERS contemplated suicide. If
they wanted a confession from him. they
should have gotten it in the proper way.
The wGrdpn'S first talk with him was US
to hi> alias and about Downs. Harris
shielded him and sought to save his life
and Il; the same time tried to put "A hal
Ger aIpuud his neck. Mr.. Mulikcn read
,uthoriti.> nrnp confessions. citing the
text hooks and decisions. Concrding
Sinners evidence to he false. the facts
as lsul~l. preceding HIS confession. ar
curl AGAINST its HdmiS>ability. Riggin
and til, warden differed as to how Sim
pcrs made fine cnnfr~Sion Every move
hal hrcn made Ia Brighten him into Il
confession.
The Court declined TO hear argument
from inc State.
His Honor Judge p,urc said the Court
felt rnmrrlcd to commend the counsel
for the accused for their able and zeal
Gus efforts in hi, behalf. There WAS a