The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1906-05-16
The EAST HAVEN MURDER
TRIAL NEARING END---POWER-
Full ARGUMENTS.

Counsel Both For and Against MIKE
Eloquent Speeches-State Tries to
| Establish That Both Are Guilty of
the Crime-Judge Roraback VIII Be-
gin His Charge to the Jury at the
Opening of the Court This Morning.
The arguments in the murder trial
of Mrs. Ida Jennings and her son, Her
bert w Taylor, charged with having
killed Joseph E. Jennings on Sunday
night, April 8, were closed yesterday
afternoon by Attorney Williams for
the state. The court room and gallery
were crowded with eager people who
We're anxious to hear the final argu-
ments. There is nothing left now but
the charging of the jury by Judge Ror-
aback. This will come at 10 o'clock
this morning.
States Attorney Williams closed the
argument for the state, He began at
$40 p m. and finished at 5:25, holding
the court little longer than is usual
in order to finish his argument. He re-
viewed in mastery manner, to the
jury the points in the case, going over
each one carefully. He showed the
jury how Mrs. Jennings had come home
from the Brocketts on the night of the
murder, had set table for Mr.. Jennings
after he had already eaten at the
Brocketts; that she told Herbert that
Joe was up to Ada's and raising -,
and within a short while after this
went out with Taylor into the car
riage (Taylor carrying the revolver in
his pocket; drove up the road and
while Mr.. Jennings was coming down
out of the path Taylor shot at him
twice.
Mr.. Williams version Of the shooting
is that Taylor shot at Jennings from
the rock at the right Of the road, while
Mrs Jennings sat in the carriage wait
ing for the murder to be committed
He also told the jury that Mrs Jen-
nings was as much to blame as Taylor,
as she had come home and excited
him by telling him that Jennings was
raising HI at the Brocketts, and
was going to sell his property and clear
out. Mr.. Williams told how Mrs. Jen-
nings had gone in the wagon to meet
her husband; that she had not tried in
\ any way to stop the shooting, but in
stead helped to drag Jennings into the
wagon and then afterwards to conceal
the murder by hiding the revolver. He
| ALo+ Ers Tapy7ipoc Nv-o u,a 20 q
her husband was going to be killed
and that she deserved as much punish
ment as Taylor.
| Attorney Williams pleaded with the
jury to do only what they thought just
and to consider that everyone in the
state is waiting for their verdict. They
must not be unduly influenced in any
way by the testimony OF anyone. but
should consider the case rightfully, con-
scientlously and thoughtfully. He told
| them that their task was trying one,
but that the best results would come if
they considered that the crime had
| been committed by the said Mrs Ida
Jennings and Herbert w. Taylor pre-
meditatedly and that they should get
| the IuIl limit Oh LitS fhN'
| During Mr.. Williams argument Tay-
/ lor sat sullen at times, at others smil-
ed sarcastically at States Attorney
Williams statements Mrs. Jennings
showed paleness and much fear or ire
pidation, both seemingly acting as If
resigned to whatever might be their
fate
The court opened in the morning by
Mr.. Wheeler. assistant to the states
attorney, who went over with the Jury
the facts of the case; how this boy
Taylor whom the doctors decided as
one in ordinary mental condition, had
with malice aforethought shot and
killed his stepfather and how his moth
err. Mrs. Jennings, who was shown as
an affectionate wife, had helped con-
ceal the murder
! Attorney Alling began the argument
for the defense and told how the terms
between Mr. and Mrs. Jennings had
always been friendly and stated to the
jury that they should weigh the testi-
| mony of Charles and Ada Brockett and
if they had any doubt in the matter
Mrs. Jennings was on the way to ac-
quittal.
Attorney Howard Webb began the
closing arguments tor the defence
about 1870 p. m. and continued until
$40
Mr.. Webos argument for the prison
ers was both eloquent and cornprehen-
sive. His points were we'll taken and
his appeal to the jury, at times with
tears running down his cheeks, was
pathetic in the extreme and moved the
hearts of many in the court room
Counsel for the defense said the lad
Taylor, was not so bad as the prosecu-
ton had tried to make Out He had
been we'll spoken of by many who knew
him. and he was not one that would
be likely to plan and carry out cold
blooded murder Mr.. Webb drew the
attention of the jury to the evidence
that had been produced going to show
that the boy had been very badly used
by Jennings and that he was In terror
of him He reminded the jury that the
lad had been driven TO use the pistol
after Jennings had struck his mother
and when he was about to attack Tay.
lor himself, and that he had no inten
ton of killing. MIR. Webb's appeal was
listened to throughout by the court
and spectators with the keenest inter
est.
The states attorney wound up fol-
the prosecution, and the court adjourn