Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-03-31
The Afternoon Session.

w IilllICl ltStiilSu i'iuNN 80
the witness stand ut the opening of
the afternoon session 1T o'clock and
his cross-eXamination by Senior Coun-
sci Heath OF the defence was continued.
The duplicate of the Cooper revolver
produced for examination at the fore
noon session was again brought into
evidence and the witness was subjected
to a final questioning as to his ability
in the handling ana judgment of fire
arms.
1t is assumed that the counsel for the
defence attempted to ascertain wheth-
er or not the witness was sufficiently
acquainted with the use of pistol or
reNolver-weapon to perform the tests
on NorthyS scalp and the human ca
daver, as brought out in testimony at
the forenoon session and in direct eX-
animation on Thursday. The witness
appeared to have only All ordinary
knowledge of the uses and cOnstruc-
ton of the pistol given him for exam
nation.
At this point County Attorney Leigh
took up the direct examination of the
witness where it was suspended at the
forenoon session. The witness gave the
result VI Ills Will d IcNoi-
Yer made with the purpose Of deter
mining the radiation of powder fired
from a pistol similar to the one pur-
Chased by Mrs. Cooper and which fired
the shot that killed young Northy. Wit
ness exhibited a number of sheets of
white paper at which the pistol had
been fired at several respective dis
tances from one inch to three feet.
THIS testimony was put in by the
government for the purpose Of demon
stratinE the true radiation of powder
shot from a .32-calibre revolver cart
ridge. The area of radiation Of powder
burns and traces Of powder extended
from one to Is inches. One or two of
the sheets fired at the closest distances
caught fire from the burning powder.
CrosS-examinatiOn on the methods
pursued ny the witness in making these
experiments followed. The witness was
again required to exhibit to the jury
the plates or paper sheets showing
varying areas of powder burns and to
explain in accurate detail how each re-
suit was secured.
The witness was questioned to some
extent regarding his experiments to de-
tcrrninc the action of the human blood
upon grains of powder. He described
the manner in which he immersed I'M
burned grains of powder taken from
a number of .32-calibre revolver cart
ridges. Witness admitted that while
the powder showed some signs OF de-
composition, it was not entirely dis
solved.
IT was brought out that charcoal
which is not affected by water or
blood. plays an important part in the
composition of powder Of this kind
and it's presence might prevent the dis
solution of powder. Nearly one hour
was consumed in making this single
point clear.
The counsel for the defence produced
exhibits of several kinds of gunpowdcr
for the identification and classification
Of the witness. Witness said that if q
discolOratiOn upon the skin tissue was
created by SCOT or smoke from a pistol
shot. he thought it very probable that
washing with a sponge and warm wat
er would remove the discoloration. The
Counscy for the defence asked:
Don't you think that if wound.
surrounded by discOloration sucn as
has been described. was washed by enc
or more doctors or surgeons, who were
in charge of an autopsy, with warm
water and a sponge, that the discolor
alton would disappear"
Witness was about to answer when
Attorney General Hamlin objected and
Counsel Heath withdraw the question.
Several more questions along these
lines were asked and objections were
| offered by the attorney general In each
case the question was withdrawn.
At this point the usual afternoon re-
cess was taken and Mr.. and Mrs. Coop
err, who remained in their seats
in front of the prisoners dock,
were visited by Mr.. Cooper's sister,
Mrs. Gertrude Taylor of Vassalbcro
who was accompanied by her little 8
year. old daughter. The child appeared
to be very glad to embrace its aunt
the accused woman. and Mrs. Taylor
and the child were given seats within