Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-04-22
Robens Murder Trial al
Hou|ton Nearing End.
Judge Spear Will Charge Jury
at 9 O'clock This Morning.
Arguments on State and Defence
Made on Saturday.

Houlton, Nc, April 21.-The case Of
Juan Robens, alias Jack Roberts, who
has been on trial in the supreme court
during the past week charged with the
murder of Edgar Dickinson, q farmer
of Smyrna Mills, who occasionally en-
ploycd him, will go to the jury Monday
morning The closing testimony for
the defence and The arguments on each
side were delivered by counsel Saturday
and as it was long past the usual clos
ing time Of the court when the last
word had been said, Judge Spear an
nounced that he would wait until Mon
day morning before delivering his
charge to the jury
In cross-eXaminatiOn during the
morning, the respondent apparently be-
came confused and hazy in his rec
objection of various incidents to which
he had testified in direct examination
on last Thursday These discrepancies
in the prisoners testimony We're made
use of by Attorney General Hannibal
Hamlin in his closing argument for
the prosecution and he also pointed
out that Hoben'S declaration that he
was in the woods on the days imme-
diately preceding the day Of the muir
der was cOntradicted by number Of
witnesses who said they saw Isobens
and talked with him in Island Falls
on the day before that of the crime.
The evidence against the prisoner. the
attorney general admitted, was large-
ly circumstantially. but he believed his
guilt had been established beyond q
reasonable doubt.
Attorney Il. W. Shaw in arguing for
the defence laid much stress on the
prisoners previous good reputation and
contended that the State had failed to
substantiatc a reaS0nahl" doubt.
When court came in Saturday after
the Patriots day recess, the cross-cX
animation of Robens. which was begun
Thursday was continued.
In answer to the first questions on
INSTRUMENTATION. Eohcns testified
that the first time that nc was at -
land Falls he walked home Oh the rail-
road track and saw different people on
the way. He gave an account of his do
ings from the time he left Island Falls
until the following Monday. He said he
had known the dead man 13 years ana
was at the Dickinson house on The OC-
casion when Mr.. Dickinson and his son,
Pearl. were away and remained about
one hour. Witness cmphatiCally denied
that he had ever been anywhere in
company with Mrs. Dickinson. that he
was in the pasture as was testified to
and that he never WAS with her away
from home.
When Attorney General 1iamlin
asked the prisoner about the murder
of John McElwec, the woodsman and
scaler, who was shot in the back about
three years ago. his counsel objected
and was sustained.
Attorney General Hamln succeeded
in badly confusing RobnnS 50 that lie
denied and later admitted certain
things and when the fact was called
to his attention his answer was: II
don't remember whether or not I did.
His examination was concluded and he
was excused.
Following Robeus came john Cross.
John Perry and John Kelley Of Island
Falls, Colman d. Clark. Thomas Nc
Gary and Mrs. Bertha Sewall Of Smyr-
ma, who testified that they had seen
Robens the Monday. Tuesday and
Wednesday preceding the day of the
murder, which was committed early
Thursday morning.
Ivory Hovey and r. A. Nixon OF
Smyrna, Sanford Dolbec. Hugh Miller
and H. c. Sharp Of Monticello. Mrs
Celia McNinip and William MCNinip
said they had known the defendant as
peaceable citizen. a recess was taken
at his point.
DR.. George c. NickersOn of IIoulton
who has known Robens four years and
had often seen him il the woods and
hunted with him. testified regarding
Robens' rifle w. A. Martin ana {. II
Pierce of this town testified that Rob
ems gun was of an ordinary size. John
f. Cooper stated that Dickinson OF
Jan. 10. 1906 took RobcnS' application
for membership into = local lodge Of a
fratcrnal organization. that he had
been accepted but had not taken his
degrees
The defence then rested. James May
nard. u witness for I'll" State. Was re-
called, as he had not been sworn be-
fore testifying. He was sworn, his tcS-
tmony was read hy the stCuoGraphCi
and il was admitted us evidence.
At the opening Of the afternoon scs'
sion Robens was shown blanket h,
his attorney and identified it as his. |
was found in the Peleg White camp
where Robens claims he slept th'
night OF tho murder.
In his closing argument for the Dc
fence, r. W. Shaw, the prisoner
Continued on Page Two.)