Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-10-31


"Joe Bill" said, "How many times2''
She said, "Three times" and held up
three fingers.
She said that Mr.. Hutchins telephoncd
her that Joe was mad and was coming
up there to kill her, and she had better
get out of the house, and she replied
that she would as soon as she could get
some clothes together.
The condition of the kitchen was gone
over with the witness. There were dirty
dishes on tho table and in tho sink aud
on the stove. There were blood stains
on the floor by the bath room door and
the bed room door. The revolver was
found by Chief of Police Violette in the
shed.
The revolver was produced and identi-
fed, with the cartridges which 1t had
contained, and which were taken from it
by the witness in the grand jury room,
one loaded and four empty.
That night went to the cell OF Joe
Bill to get him to make statement. Mr..
Morey went in with me, and advised him
not to make statement, and he refused.
On the evening Of the next day won't In
again.
Mr.. Morey here objected to the admis-
sion of any statements made by Joe Bill
at that time, and on the testimony
being admitted, took an exception.
told him he had been warned by Mr..
Morey, and knew what his rights were.
,, He said, 81 was mad, and went home.
I was mad, too, over letter that came
that day from Italy, that put me way
down. We ate dinner, and there wasn't
much said. Rosie was clearing of the
table. She began to laugh at me, and
said, Il told you I'd have that case put
over till March, She kept laughing at
me. I don't know what 1 did. Don't
know how many shots l fred. Don't
know whether took hold of her when I
fred"
Joe said he had carried q revolver
several years, since they had Black
Hand scare.
He told me the same story, substantial.
ly, when brought him to Jail on the
10th Of May, told it voluntarily.
On cross. examination Mr.. Morey asked
for the memorandum book on which
Sheriff Niles wrote minutes of Joe's
statement, and 1t was produced.
Wu6t WdS JUo Dill COuuiliOn 90 "
excitement when he appeared at the
court roomP
didn't notice that he seemed much
excited.
Didn't he cry?
never saw him cry.
There was an interesting little clash
between Attorney General Pattangall
and Mr.. Morey as to this memorandum
book of the witness, which ended in the
book being admitted, and the memoran-
dunn read.
John B. Violette, chief of police Of
Rumford Falls, testified to finding the
revolver in sink in the shed, and iden-
tilted it. There were FIVE shells In It,
four punched, and one not punched.
Leon NJ. Small of Mexico, deputy
sheriff, went with Sheriff Niles to the
Joe Bill house. Found bullet on the
threshold of the piazza door, outside,
which had gone through the curtain
over the door and glass in the door. he
produced the bullet which had piece
Of bone in it.
had talk with Joe Bill day or two
later, at the police station. he wanted
to be let out of his cell into the guard
room, 80 he could get some exercise.
I told him we couldn't let him out while
we had court prisoners there. He said
he wouldn't try to escape, he didn't want
to escape, he wanted to be punished for
what he had done. He said, ~ could
have escaped II wanted to. know
every road in the country"
C.P. Voter OF Rumford, undertaken,
had q conversation with Joe Bill the day
after the shooting, when he went to ask
Joe what he wanted done with the re-
mains. Joe said he wanted them buried
that night, but told him couldn't do
that. asked what kind of casket he
wanted. He said, "Put her In n.dol-
lar one." told him didn't have any
such, and he said could telephone for
one. told him didn't know whore to
telephone, and he said, "Then put her in
pine box"
At this point, after introducing certain
photographs and other exhibits, the
state rested, and Mr.. Morey began bis
opening for the defence. He did not de.
ny that Joe Bill shot his wife, nor that
1t was an unlawful killing, but contended
that 1t was not premeditated murder,
but done In the heat Of passion, and
under great provocation, such as brings
it under the definition of manslaughter
as specified In the law.
Joe Bills life history, portion of 1t,
was briefly reviewed by Mr.. Morey, as
he expected to show It by the witnesses,
and then he came to the point, about
two years ago, where Nicholas Ballesteri,
a former clerk for Joe Bill in his store,
came upon the scene, and Mr.. Morey re.
ferred to the frequency with which the
possibility of the wife's adultery had
been mentioned In the examination oi
jurors. .
Mr.. Pattangall Immediately objected
and the jury was instructed to retire. II
their absence Mr.. Morey went over tht
relations which he was prepared to show
existed between this Nicholas Ballester
and Rosie Bill; that Mrs. Bill's younges
child was asserted by them both not te
belong to Joe Bill that they bad plotted
to poison Joe Bill, or have him killed b!
other means, and later had planned Il
take the children and 60 by automobile
to Canada.
Mr.. Pattangall argued that all this tes
timony would not be admissible on th'
question of manslaughter, as 1t coult
not show. that sudden provocation whicl
!, was required to make the offence man
) slaughter.
MI. Morey argued that all this mus
, be taken into account 10 order to under
, stand the Significance of tho words o
acts which served as provocation.
As 1t was then late In the afternoon
, the matter was left until Tuesday morn
. ing, to enable counsel to present thei
, authorities more fully.
. At the morning session Tuesday, th
q question OF admission OF evidence Il
. show the fact of improper relations be
; Tween Mrs. Bill and Nicholas Ballester
was argued further at some length b.
= Attorney General Psttangall and Nj
Morey, and q number OF authoritie
!, were cited, no case found, however, bs
ing exactly parallel with this.
81 Judge Hanson ruled that he shoul
g conflne the testimony as to the matte
}. of provooation, to the events of tho do
!. of tho homicide and of the days In
mediately preceding which might have
t direct bearing upon the events OF thi
t day.
sl Some further delay was then cause
o by . search for the record OF tho corr
d ter's Inquest, which Was finally found.
,.I n. Aorov than rasumed hia openinS