Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-03-07
Murder Trial Begins Today.

At the opening of the court this
morning, the case of State versus Mrs.
Alice F. Cooper of South Windsor will
b" called for trial. Mrs. Cooper is I'M
der Indictment which true bill was re-
turned by the grand jury at the jan
uary term, for the murder of Charles
d. Northy, Jr. Mrs. Cooper will be
brought into court, and she will be de-
Tended during the trial by Hon. Herbert
NJ Heath of this city, who will have the
assistance of Arson NJ. Goddard. also
OF Augusta. The prosecution will be
conducted by Attorney General Hanni-
bal L. Hamln of Ellsworth and County
Attorney Thomas Leigh, of Augusta.
1t is anticipated that the entire day
will be consumed in securing a jury.
and it is probable that if the full jury
is impanelled before adjournment of
the court today. the prosecuting attor-
n,ys will open the case for the State
Thursday morning.
1T is believed that the States attor-
neyS Will make an effort to secure the
commitment of the defendant to Jail
during the trial, and this step will be
contested by the counsel for the de-
Tense. Mrs. Cooper is now enjoying
her freedom on $4,000 bail. surety
being furnished by her husband, Ed
win J. Cooper. her attorney, Mr.. Heath,
ana others. According to the prOvis-
ions of the statutes. under Which the
woman was allowed bail. she is legally
allowed her liberty until verdict is
rendered" quoting the wording of the
section pertaining to the matter.
The story Of the death of young
! Charles Nor;hy is Il familiar one to ev-
cryone in this section of the State.
Northy came to his death while in the
home of the CoOpers in South Wind
scr on tho afternoon of Tuesday. Oc-
| tObcr 10 of last year. Young Northy
lived with his father in Whitefield and
had for some time previous to his
| death been employed in the black
smith shop of Edwin Cooper. He was
| about 20 years of age. sober. industri-
| Gus and bore very good reputation. On
the fatal afternoon. he rode over on
bicycle from his home to the Cooper
place. which is but a few rods from
the Four-corner store, and visited Mrs.
Cooper. 1t has been alleged, and adj
mitted by the defendant in the case.
that NOrthy came to see Mrs. Cooper
at her request. Just what happened
during his visit and the cause Of the
quarrel between the two. which it is
alleged occurred. is not known. NOrthy
was killed by a pistol shot 1t is be-
lieved that he was shot about | O'Clock
in the afternoon. and he was uncon-
sciOus when found by the authorities.
The young man died at 7.40 o'clock the
same evening. The affair was investi-
gated by the local authorities and the
case turned over to the county officials.
On the afternoon of Friday. Oct. IS,
Mrs. Cooper was taken into custody
by Deputy Sheriff Willis Pinkham. on
a warrant charging her with Northy's
murder. The woman was perfectly
calm. and is alleged to have said. 81
expected it, She was brought to the
county Jail in this. city. and given a
preliminary hearing before Judge A.
G. Andrews of the municipal court.
Judge Andrews found probable cause
and consented to admit the woman to
bail, or the suggestion of her counsel
Mr.. Heath. Since that time. Mrs
Cooper has enjoyed her liberty. and
has lived quietly at her home in Soutb
Windsor with her husband and three
children.