Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-04-19

Houlton, Me. April 18.-The trial of
Mrs. Annie Dickinson, who. with Juan
Rohcns. has been undcr indictment for
tie murder Of her husband, Edgar
Dickinson, Oh oct IS, 1906, came - 4
sudden end in tho supreme court today
when Judge Spear, at the suggestion
of the prosecuting attorney, ordered
the discharge Of the woman from Gus
tody. The motion of Attorney Gcncr-
a! Hamlin for the release Of Mrs. Dick
insOn followed efforts on the part OF
the prosecution during the morning
session of court to show that an in
timacy existed between Mrs. Dickinson
and the other respondent, RJben&, VINO
had been employed on her husbands
farm. In making his motion, tho at
torney general said that he felt the
evidence the State had been able to
produce was insufficient to warrant
holding Mrs. Dickinson longer for amy
participation in her husbands murder.
Mrs. Dickinson, who since her arrest
ana throughout the proceedings in
court. has maintained a stolid calm.
listening to evidence with no sign of
emotion. seemed deeply affected when
she heard the courts order for her dis
charge. She buried her face for a mo-
mcnt in her handkerchief. ana then re-
covering herself SOmcW rat bowed u
the judge and seemed to be murmuring
some words Of thanks as She was led
from the court room.
The trial of Juan RObenS for the
murder of Dickinson proceeded during
tho afternoon with the opening Of the
case for tho defence a.d tn" introduce
ton Of the testimony Of the respondent
himself. In his opening, Attorney
Ransford w. Shaw declared that the
defence would show that mo motive
existed that could have induced Robens
to kill Dickinson. that Robens was a
friend Of Dickinson, "ud finally there
was no opportunity for Rub"ns to have
committed the crime, as it could 10
shown that he was miles away from
tho Dickinson h0m" thu Gay of the
murder II" said:
II hrlicv" til" evidence III. secuted ~
the State against this man ltobCn.i should
leave a doubt lin your minds as to the
guilt of the accused. but even though |
so considered it. my duty requires that
| shall present his defence to you.
Il wish first to call attention to tho
fact that the law puts on this man Of
mystery the white robe Of innocence ana
he is presume 10 be innocent until legal
evidence presented by the State shows
him guilty beyond n reasonable dOubt.
The evidence must show an unlawful
killing as n result and d criminal act on
the part of the defendant as 4 cause. be
fore a verdict Of guilty can be asked Of
you against my client
THE State must show that Edg lr Dick
inson came to his death by the unlawful
act Of this respondent. We Will show
that no motive existed that induced him
to slay Ed. Dickinson, that nc was 4
friend of the deceased and that ne was
at 4 place so far removed from the Sconc
or the killing that he had no opportunity
to do so, ana that he did not, in fact.
have anything to do with it.
"Robens will take the stand in his own
behalf. He will tell YOU his life story
and face his accuscrs in 4 manly.
straiGhtforw way. lie Will tell YOU Of
his relations with the deceased and his
family and put before You il detail his
acts and doirgs from Sunday, Oct. II,
lJUh, TO inc 1HlHSudhS ilIoHI iOl4ON ms
when he was arrested.
Robeus then took the stand and rc-
lated the story Of his career. saying
that most Of his life had been passed
in the woods He said his relations
with Dickinson were always friendly.
He answered the questions of counsel
cody and seemed quick 70 grasp the
trend of every inquiry At the time
of adjournment of court until next
Saturday morning he was under cross
examination by the State attorney.
Houlton. Me, April 1S.-At 2.16 Thurs
day afternoon, Mrs. Anna Dickinson,
who has been on trial this week charE-
ca with the murder Of her husband, Ed
gar Dickinson. walked forth from the
prisoners dock at Houlton a free wo-
man, the charge against her having
been dropped.
Mr.. Shaw, attorney for the defense,
before making his opening argument
Thursday forenoon asked the judge If