Norwich bulletin., 1914-07-11

Before Judge OllV6r t1. W 1iildIHS III the Third district court in Westerly Friday, there was a hearing in the case of Thomas E. Brown, chief of police, against pr. Percy A. Senior, charged with murder and abortion, the woman in the case being Katie Bom- bunot, aged eighteen. daughter or Thomas Bombunot, who resides at 81 Pierce street. pr. Senior was arraign ed on these two serious charges two weeks ago and pleaded not guilty. The penalty for murder in Rhode Island IS life Imprisonment and for abortion not less than five nor more than twenty years While there have been numer- ous convictions for murder in Rhode Island. it is said that no person has ever been convicted of the crime of abortion.
 Town Solicitor Harry B. Agard con- ducted the case for. the prosecution and introduced only evidence sufficient to hold the accused for trial in the su- perior court
 The first witness was Theresa Bonn bunot, who gave in detail the con nection of Dr. Senior with the case that resulted in the death of her sis ter. Katie, which was of decidedly incriminating nature. At the conelu- sion of her testimony, Dr. Senior, who was without counsel, said he would reserve cross examination The other witnesses were Angelo Bombunot, brother. Dr. Michael H. Scanlon. med ical examiner for Westerly and Dr. Asa S. Briggs. of Ashaway, medical examiner for the town of Hopkinton, who, with Drs Russell B. Smith and John L. May made the autopsy. All the evidence was of a convincing na- ture and in support of the serious charges. The witnesses were not questioned by the accused.
 At the conclusion of the testimony for the state, Judge Williams asked the doctor if he had any evidence to introduce or if he had any reason why he should not be found probably guilty and held for trial in the superior court.
 pr. Senior asked: Is the charge one of murder?
 Judge Williams: Yes; the same upon which you were arraigned and pleaded not guilty. DoctorlIs that the charge now?
 Judge-It is.
 Doctor-In that case, the district court cannot accept bail: am I right?
 Judge-Yes
 Doctor-Then it is up to me to sub init and go to the superior court?
 Judge-That depends upon the ac- tion of the court; have you any evil dence to introduce, doctor?
 Dr. Senior then stepped into the witness stand and, with head bowed stood there in silence for two minutes Then Judge Williams said he did not wish to disturb the thoughts of the accused. but asked him if he had any thing to say in his own behalf Qr. Senior replied: I do not know of anything in particular to say; un- less the counsel for the state wants to question me
 Town Solicitor Agard said he had no questions to ask
 Judge Williams then asked the ac- i! cused if he had anything to say why he should not be found probably guilty.
 Dr. Senior replied: No evidence has been introduced to warrant the charge of murder and that, according to the evidence in the case ought to be dis missed right now I might talk for an hour. or two. but the result would be 1 the same, for know the personal feel 1 ing of the court against me. No case has been provep of murder. as the prosecution must prove malice and none has been shown in this case. ] There is no conyieting evidence here l on that charge. l can prove that the girl was given the best of medical and surgical skill and I do not consider l that 1 am in any way responsible for l her death. I was arrested at half 1 past six o'clock in the morning while l on my way to a market and in an un- ! dressed and unpresentable condition l taken to a cell in the police station 1 No such action as this could be taken
 against any other doctor, but I am not a member of the Westerly doctors trust"
 Judge Williams said he appreciated l the compliment of Dr. Senior to the l doctors of Westerly and added that it l was his duty to find the accused prob- ably guilty of the crime as charged
 and ordered that he be held for trial 1 a inc Sanf 171eT. fays of Ioa 1 court for Washington county. l There was large attendance ot | spectators present. as well as the wit | nesses the father and step mother oi the dead girl, and the wife and two children of Dr. Senior
 |. The accusation of Dr. Senior of per- sonal feeling against him on the pari