Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-11

the indictment by the State.
Under an agreement between Alice
Pelletier's lawyers and Attorney Gen.
eral Wilson and County Attorney
Archibald, that young woman retract-
ed her plea of not guilty to murder
and pleaded guilty to accessory after
the fact.
Kate Miohaud Responsible
The abrupt termination of trial
which had proved as sensational as
any held in New England for recent
years, was the direct result of the re-
markable confession made by Katie
Michaud on the witness stand late
wednesday. DR.. Dudley's lawyers were
stunned and amazed by her story.
They saw the coils drawing closer
and closer about their client ana 20
their minds, there was no possioie
chance of an acquittal or or even d
disagreement at the hands OF the IL
stern faced men, who had Hsteneu
to her gruesome disclosures.
DR.. Dudley's attorneys held con-
ference Wednesday evening, as a re-
suit of which they came TO Attorney
General Wilson and County Attorney
Archibald. with a proposition to plead
guilty to manslaughter If the state
would not insist on pressing the muir
der charge. This the State agreed 10
do. insisting, however, that the max
imum sentence of 20 years be I'M
posed on DR.. Dudley.
Kate Michaud's expected appearance
on the stand for cross examination
Thursday morning had caused crowd
of several hundred men and women
to besiege the courthouse at an carry
hour they thronged about both door
wavs and it was with the utmost az
ticulty that the judge, witnesses am
iurors could force passage throush
them and enter the building.
Al o o'clock, the hour for the open
INC of the session came and 1t became
annarent that something was IN the
mir Justice Haley did not take ms
Mace on the bench and presently the
iurymen, who had been patiently walt
;nv in their chairs, filed out to their
anteroom to wait A hum arose from
the thronged gallery and CROWDED
aoor. It was evident that something
was in the air and the news that
conference was being held with view
tn some sort of an admission OF euiit
ON the part OF Or. Dudley spread
quickly.
Or. Dudley Appears
II was $50 o'clock when DR.. I'uoies'
dressed in the dark sllk-ined over
coat he has worn ever since ms liiai
commenced, appeared with uepu.s
sheriff, forced his way between <'hs
chairs in the attorneys enclosure anu
took his seat in the prisoners oox. his
face was flushed and he was evlaeh.iy
atruggling to maintain an air OF out
s-d calnness. He raised one arm "
:, rail and commenced nerVeusly 10
nger his lips, then Justice Haley ap-
feared and court was formally opened,
Ransford w. Shaw, senior coonssi
fer the defense, at once sought recos
milton. He explained that Dr. Dualeys
attorney, had met the night before iof
a discussion of the situation and as
result of this discussion they nad gone
to the State with proposition.
I'VE feel" said Mr.. Shaw, that. as
members of the bar, we nave a ouey
to keep faith with the court as wen,
as with our client. We have ADVISED
him to plead guilty to mansiaughter
if the part of the indictment charging
malice is not pressed by the State. In
this connection Attorney General VIII
son had made some suggestions.
Attorney General Wilson announced
tnat the State was willing for the re-
traction to be made and the new piea
entered, providing the defense clearly
understood that the heaviest sentences
possible under the Maine iaw--2O years
in the State prison at Thomastoh-
would be insisted upon. He explained
that the murder charge was based on
a technicality in the statute making
any death which resulted from an at
tempt to commit felony-such as a
criminal operation-murder
at seems to the State" said Attor-
ney General Wilson, that full justice
may be done for the crime DR.. Dudley
now admits, if the court mol presses
that part of the indictment charging
malice and makes the case one OF
manslaughter."
Lionel Z. Dudley, stand up" order
ed Clerk of Courts Clark, in his nigh
pitched voice.
"Guiity," Said the Prisoner
DR.. Dudley slowly arose to his feet and
stood with bowed head and eyes low
cred to the fleet. 1t was with the utmost
difficulty that he maintained his compos-
ure and the inward struggle was evident
10 everyone in the court room.
'sThe court understands that you re-
tract your plea of not guilty to the charge
Of murder What say you to the charge
Of nanslaughter? Are you guilty or not
guilty?s asked Clerk Clark.
Dir. Dudley's head went still lower.
Then he Strengthened up suddenly and
licked his lips. They moved slightly but
40 sound was audible.
GUILTY." queried the clerk.
Again DIR. Dudley's lips moved.
Guilty" he whispered. and he sat
iown Mr. Shaw Immediately asked that
sentence be deferred.
THE court can attend to it now" said
Justice Haley. 1.-THE prisoner may be re-
handed" The court officers led the
broken man back to his CELL where spe-
.ial guard was placed over him.
The keenest fears are expressed by the
county authorities that Dr. Dudley may
attempt to take his own life and every
possible precaution is being taken against
. suicide. He had Is visitors in Jail Sun
h <rto ~