New-York tribune., 1906-06-23
GIBSON PROVES ALIBI.
MRS. STENTON UP TO-DAY.
Priest Discredits Testimony of Mrs.
Schippo-Lazcyers Statement.

chamber investigation into Mrs. kinnan's MUIR
der. The lawyer established an alibi on the
night OF the murder. June s. accounting for =
practically every moment OF the night.
When everybody fling out of the Coro-
ners Office Captain Price came out close to Mr.
Gibson. Some one asked Captain Price IL the
lawyer under arrest.
II give you my word OF honor" said the
detective. that If Mr.. Gibson leaves this build
ing with it will not be as a prisoner-not
to-day's Developments at any rate
The story OF how Mr.. Gibson became possessed
Of a large interest in the Stenton estate the
facts of which were told in The Tribune two
days after the murder. revealed. He un-
derwent long examination this subject and
after the hearing Coroner Mcdonald said that
there was not the slightest evidence produced at
the hearing that there had been any Illegal act
committed by the lawyer.
Mrs. Stenton win be the first witness at the
hearing this morning. The hammer which was
found concealed behind her bed on Sunday will
be In evidence then and she will be confronted
with IT. The coroner has three or four other
weapons. all of which might have caused the
wounds Mrs Kinnan's head. An effort to
have Mrs. Kinnan's husband testify viii also be
made A piece of Mrs Kinnan's skull. which
was shown yesterday. will also be shown to-day.
1t is considerably larger than silver dollar.
and is OF unusual thickness. To break such a
piece clean from the rest OF the skull would
require heavy blow. The wounds started
from behind the base OF the right across the
back OF the skull TO the top OF the left ear, in
dicatins that person somewhat shorter than
Mrs. Kinnan had hit her. There was also q
big bruise across the neck. where apparently the
murderer had missed aim and struck Mrs. Kin
with the handle OF the weapon.
The latest statement OF the Schippo woman
that she had confessed to a priest that she had
! heard Mrs. Kinnan moan as she was dying.
THAT devil lawyer hit meF' was discredited
yesterday when the priest TO whom she went
found He Father Cunnion. of the
Church Of Our Lady of Mercy. at 190th street
and Pelham avenue. Father Cunnion denied ab-
solutely that the woman had told any such story
to him He said that she had approached him
In the street on the Feast Of st. Anthony, June
13 with picture OF the saint. which she asked
him to bless. She wanted this done because
there had been a murder in her house which
greatly distressed her. The priest blessed the
picture and told her not tc worry. as she was
| not in any way implicated, and the woman
rwent away.
MRS. LUND ON STAND.
Mr.. Cardozo. the young man from District
Attorney Jerome's office, IN charge OF the
preliminary hearing again yesterday, and no
one except witnesses was admitted TO Coroner
McDonalds room. Mr. Gibson brought with
him two court stenogyaphers who were ex-
cluded. his demand for a public hearing being
refused. Loretta Ryan, a neighbor OF Mrs
stenton. the first witness, but unable
10 throw any light the subject. Then Mrs
Sidney Lund. Mrs. Fiunan's stepdaughter. was
called into the coroners room She had not
visited her stepmother for eighteen years. not
since she left her home. when she was thirteen
years old. Her testimony threw light on the
case beyond confirming the stories OF Mrs
stenton's eccentricitles. She said that the old
woman miserly and peculiar"
Asked about Mrs Kinnan's mysterious ab-
sences from the house, witness said that Mrs
KInnan often away five or six nights a
week On these occasions she always went
downtown heavily veiled and clad IN black
Where she went the witness said that she did
not know.
| Robert F1aherty. who once held a power OF
attorney from Mrs. Stenton for a. few days TO
have It revoked in favor OF Mr.. Gibson followed
According to Coroner Mcdonald, he displayed
considerable anirnus against Mr.. Gibson while
on the stand. but was unable TO show that the
lawyer had committed any Illegal act
IT late in the afternoon when Mr.. Gibson.
by far the most important witness yet sum
moned, was called into the little Office. He was
accompanied by Watt L. Crosby. OF Brooklyn
Supreme Court stenographer, and Whiteheld
Sammis. stenographer IN the criminal branch
of the Supreme Court IN this county. Mr.
! y
to which the lawyer objected. Coroner Nc
Donald said that since his own stenographer was
present. he saw need OF any others, and the
two men were excluded.
PUBLIC HEARING DEMANDED.
| Mr.. Gibson then demanded that the hearing
be held IN the public courtroom. and that the
reporters be admitted. This was refused per-
ernptoriIy by the Assistant District Attorney and
the examination OF Mr.. Gibson began after he
had taken a legal exception
| Mr. Gibson was pale and obviously nervous
according 10 those present Certain details were
got from him with difficulty. many questions
being necessary to obtain some slight informa-
ton When he was asked 10 tell where he had
been the night OF the murder. he hesitated a
long time before he told OF his movements thar
night In regard to his business relations with
Mrs Kinnan and Mrs. Stenton particularly did
the questions have 70 be pressed
The night ot the murder he said he left his
/ Office at No. 116 Nassau street at about 8
\ o'clock going 10 a saloon which he reached at
about Sis. There he met several friends. whom
he named. Then he went over the Brooklyn
Bridge by trolley TO the Hotel Imperial where
he had dinner. staying until about 10 o'clock
From there he said he 70 the Kings County
Democratic Club. in SchermerhOrn street. where
he declared he talked with Senator McCarren
and a man named Quinn. Leaving there abOu.
/ 1915, he went home and 10 bed. 10 be awakened
/ by a telephone message about 1: 80 a. m. He
gave the names OF several persons who saw him
/ that evening. and the police will Try 10 CONFIRM
hts story to-day
Witness said that he had visited the house
twice on the day before the murder. once In the