Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-11-25
TRAMp's CONFESSION EXCLUDED


fContinued from Page Five.)
witness called at the opening of tn
afternoon session, resides in Mt. Wen
non and brother of Bert Raymond. Hi
daughter. Gertrude Ralmond, was
years of age at the time of the muir
der. His daughter, when Atty. More
was present at the house, said tina
Bert told Elsie she had better burr
the shoes but she did not say she ha'
seen them thrown into the stove.
On cress-examination witness sai'
that he could not repeat all that Elsi
said in Mr.. Morey's presence in re-
gard 10 burning of shoes. Gertrude vii
be IS years old the LIST of next Feb
ruary. Recalled that his daughter made
a visit to her Aunt Elsie, the morning
after the murder. From there she
went to her grandmother's Was abb
sent three or four days. Did not re-
member that she visited her Aunt FL
sic at any .other time during the sum
mer.
Hurd Confession Excluded.
A hush of expectancy fell over the
spectators as six witnesses were CALI
I'd and sworn together, for those who
had heard of the confession which
Atty. Morey had said on the previous
slay that he woold Introduce believed
that they were about to hear related
the story that the tramp suicide had
told The witnesses sworn were Mrs.
Elizabeth Jipson, Abbie f. Hurd, Mrs.
Amanda Clendennin and Mrs. Stella
NJ. Dolley.
Mrs. Elizabeth Jipson of Lincoln tes-
tilted that William Hurd was her son,
the same William Hurd that died, July
30, 1906, from bullet wound in the
head.
Did you see him the day before he
died?" asked Attorney Morey.
eyes, sir the witness replied.
Did your son, William Hurd, make
any statement TO you as to who killed
Matte Hackett on the day before he
died"
Before. the witness answered Atty
General Pattangali objected to the tes
tirnony and the jury was sent from
the room while court and counsel dis
cussed the question of admissibility of
the evidence. The court asked Mr.. Mo-
rcy upon what ground he considered
the confession admissible evidence.
I'VE shall show" replied Mr., Mo-
rey. that this young man on the day
prior TO his death. and he killed him
self, went to his mother at her home.
told her he was with tramps in Kents
Hill and assisted in killing Matte
Hackett, that an assault was attempt
ed, that the cord was bound about
her neck to still her outeries and that
while he was removing the cord he
saw Mr.. Hackett coming and jumped
over the stone wall and ran across
the field. He told where the tramps
one of them was Johnson. who engaged
Mr.. Hackett in conversation, and told
where the other could be found in New
Jersey. He also told the story to others
and with great deal of detail When
lie told the story to his mother he said
he couldn't stand it any longer and
tie next day got a revolver and shot
himself in the head. His mother, sis
ter and uncle. all blood relatives, are
here and ready to testify" He offered
the testimony to show who really kill
ed Matte Hackett and clear Mrs
Raymond.
ATTY. Morey argued that the story
would have been admissible if Hurd
had come into the court and told it.
Would the testimony you seek to Of
asked the court.
Atty. McGillicuddy-It is practically
dying declaration.
Atty Morey-Is there any reason
why the prisoner at the bar should
not have the benefit of the evidence
submitted. If it is actual fact?
Attorney General Pattangall said
that he should certainly object to the
adnissibility of the evidence. At or
about the time the young man com
mitted suicide the case had been in
yestigated and the States officers had
satisfied themselves there was no clue
in this confession as to who killed
Matte Haekett.
If it is true, it's terrible to con-
iinpe the case with reference TO the
prisoner at the barr exclaimed Atty.
Morey.
Mr.. Morey said that witnesses would
testify in regard to the confession
who had not been examined at the
time of the States investigation and
wished 10 have the evidence taken out
in the absence of the jury and the
witnesses examined and cross exam
ined, that the credibility of the story
might be determined upon, but Mr.
Pattangall would not hear to any sucf
proposition.
The court stated that the evidence
would not be any more admissible
than if the man We're now living. Thu
statements were not dying declara
tions in any sense of the word. Thu
court assured the defence that tn