Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-05-24
At Trial Of John Bell,
Charged With Murder.
q Am Not Harry K. Thaw, But
Plain John Bell" He Cries.
Prisoner Is Convicted and Death
Sentence Imposed.

New York. May 23-"I am no Harry
*. Thaw-but plain John Bell. have
no wealth--but if had. could produce
witnesses whose testimony would ac-
quit me-
With these words the Brooklyn troll
ley car conductor closed an impas-
stoned address to the jury that three
hours later was to find him guilty of
murder in the first degree
Bell, a young man of mediocre at
tainmcnts, was happily married a few
years ago. A year after the wedding
the wife died in childbirth. Dr. Charles
Wilmot Townsend, prominent physi-
clan of Staten Island, had attended
her. On the humble stone that marked
her grave Bell caused to be chiseled:
Revenge renews our happy love in
Heaven"
He was unconsolable and for months
brooded over his affection. To his
friends he expressed the conviction
that his wife had not received the
proper medical care.
On the night of Jan. % last. Dr.
Townsend was shot to death in his
bed. He had been awakened by the in
truder and exclaimed; IF you are here
to rob, take what you can find. but do
not harm my family or me-" The sup
posed burglar replied:
Il want none of your things; / want
ycu," and fired. Mrs. Townsend, who
occupied the bed with her husband,
was the sole witness of the murder.
Letters subsequently written by Bell
caused his arrest. and in court his own
family, with the exception Of his
father, who was excused, appeared
against him. His mother is dead a
half brother testified that Bell con-
fessed to having killed the physician
for revenge.
Bell was the only witness for the de-
fence and the trial held at Richmond
in Iichmond borough, was not pro-
lOneed. This afternoon the case was
given to the jury and tonight a YER
dict Of murder in the first degree was
returned. Judge Abbott denied a mo-
ton for new trial and forthwith SEN
fenced the prisoner to be electrocuted
on the first Monday in July next. Bell
received the verdict stolidly and re-
nained cool when his step mother and
his sister tainted. He will be removed
to Sing Sing in day or two.
The defence had attempted to es-
tablish an alibi and Bell stoutly as
serted his innocence. He denied the
confession attributed to him by his
half brother. said he carried n weapon
because he had contemplated suicide;
and explained the tomb inscription
that had been used against him by de-
claring that Vandals had stolen the
flowers which he had daily placed
upon his wife's grave and that when
the headstonc was erected he resolved
to punish the thieves.
AS the district attorney finished his
summing up this afternoon Bell sprang
to his feet and with the permission Of
tho court addressed the jury:
"Gentlemen of the jury, l ask no ia
vors and no sympathy. If you think 1
am guilty I want you to render YER
dict accordingly. The district attorney
told you that my brother Howard said
I confessed to him that I killed DR..
Townsend. When 1 was on the stand
the district attorney did not ask me
about that. l did not tell my
brother | killed DR.. Townsend. 1t Is an
untruth. l was not on Staten Island on
the night of the murder, neither did I
wear mustache at that time as test.
fed by a witness"
Bell said that he was at the ITALIA
thcater on the night OF the murder and
went into detail regarding incidents
that occurred at the playhouse that
evening.
AS the court indicated that the pris-
onor must conclude, Bell cried: Gen
tlemen Of the jury, I am no Harry X.
Thaw. Tut plain John Bell. have no
wealth. but If 1 had I could produce
Witnesses who would testify as to
where I was on the morning of the
and whose testimony would
be sufficient to acquit me-"
Bells counsel tonight said he would
appeal.
TIE jury In the case of Judge James
Harpis at I.axinnton Kr chn..raa LIZ.