Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-02-26
The Claim Of Dorr, Alleged
Murderer Of Marsh.
Council for Defence States His
Case DorT VIII Take Stand.
Frank Admission OF the Shooting
Surprises Court at Salem, Mass.

Salem, Mass, Feb. 2J.-William a.
Dorr, charged with the murder of
George f. Marsh, retired business
man of wealth, will take the stand,
tomorrow, in his own defence.
This announcement by counsel, late
in the afternoon, afforded the second
surprise of the day for those, who
crowded the court room. Earlier they
had heard Attorney Charles n.
Barney outline the events which he
said led up to the death of Marsh
coupled with a frank admission that
his client had shot the aged man
though, as he asserted, in self defence.
Testimony showing that Dorr had
been in bad physical and mental con-
dition since his arrest had been in
troduced and, yesterday, the defend
ant was so i'll that ii was necessary
to cut short the session of the court.
1t had not been expected that he
would undertake the ordeal of an ex-
animation.
For several days. the state has call
ed witnesses in its effort to establish
that Dorr came East to kill Marsh in
order that his aunt Orpha Marsh with
whom the defendant lived in Stock
ton, Cal. might profit earlier by the
death.
The cross examination of those wit
nesses was comparatively brief and
it was not until the prosecution had
closed its case and Mr.. Barney began
his opening speech, that the line OF
defence was disclosed The attorney
hat Dnrr had
killed Marsh. but he shot him in pro-
tecting himself. He eontended that
the trust fund of 100000 which was to
have gone to Miss Marsh had be-
come so involved in legal entangle-
ments that the woman's only hope o.
receiving ii rested on the survival OF
Marsh until the matter had been
Strengthened out.
DORIS only interest in the fund was
| to protect the rights of his aunt
counsel said. and that the defendant
had become convinced that two men
of Stockton named by the attorney
had conspired against her interests
Dorr, he said feared those men and
came East to reveal the situation To
Marsh That his mission might be
secret he used an assumed name
but later revealed his identity to
| Marsh, when they were driving to-
gdtfferf in a motor car Marsh, he all
| legged made a sighting remark about
| Miss Marsh Dorr resented this and
attempted to leave the machine. The
old man seized him and the shooting
| followed Mr.. Barney also contended
| that the killing occurred in Suffolk
county and not in Essex county
where the case is being tried.
The defence introduced letters from
Miss Marsh to Marsh in which sht
complained that her monthly allow
ance from the trust fund was mol
sufficient for her needs and that the
property was being mismanaged
Several communications between
Marsh and X. c. Minor a lawyer OF
Stockton, regarding the estate also
were read Six witnesses were exam
| ined regarding the supposed scene OF
| the killing and several of them salo
that they had been in the neighbor-
hood near the hour set by the prose
cution and had seen nothing indica-
| ting that crime had been committed
| there The defence alleges that the
shooting was in Revere and the oooS
brought to the West Lynn marshes
| in this county in the automobile.
Mr.. Barney said that he would have
| one or two witnesses to call, tomor-
| row morning, and he would then pu'
Dorr ON the stand. The physician who
| is attending the accused man said, to-
night. he thought the defendant wouid
| be able to testify.