Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-07

and Mrs. Getchell, thus furnishing the
motive for getting rid of her husband
Attorney Dutton pointed out that it
would not have been to Mrs. Getchell's
advantage financially to get rid of her
husband as Trask was man of no prop
erty No evidence was offered of Mrs.
Getchell or any of her friends purchasing
any strychnine. The only evidence of
strychnine was the finding of 1t in the
body of Mr.. Getchell.
Exclusive opportunity was admitted
by Mrs. Getchel in her story at the trial
in which she said she was alone in the
house for several hours. She stated, how
ever, that when she came back from the
carriage house she saw LaForest Trask
on the piazza but that he could not have
had time to get into the pantry where
the medicine was. This story, counsel
stated, Mrs. Getchell still adheres to.
Attorney Dutton emphasized the fact
that Mrs. Getchell continued to live in
her home after she was suspected and
when summoned by the sheriff of the
county after being indicted, came for
ward for her trial In closing. he said
that there was reasonable doubt of her
guilt and that Mrs. Getchell had been in
prison II years. He understood that there
was division of sentiment among the
councillors as to her pardon when the
case was brought before them seven
years ago.
"Enoch Ghdden of Beaverton, Mich,
brother of Mrs. Getchell, stated that
he did not htink his sister had fair
trial. He believed that she had told the
truth and she told him previous to the
hearing seven years ago that she could
give no new evidence in addition to
what she had already done. His plea
of Executive clemency in behalf of his
sister was most eloquent one. BE
candid and honest in your decision;
let God and not man be the judge" he
said in conclusion.
County Attorney Guy A. Hildreth
of Gardiner appeared in opposition to
the pardon of Mrs. Getchell. He de-
clared that the case which was one of
the greatest murder cases of the coun-
VI, was fought to the finish and that
Mrs, Getchell had in her behalf one
of the blest leaders of the Kennebec
county bar Hon. Herbert NJ. Heath.
No exceptions were taken to the
D
the testimony. He urged as the motive
for crime on the part of Mrs. Getch-
ell love fer Trask and detestation for
her husband. He declared that Mrs.
Getchell told conflicting stories before
the trial and the act was one of cal
culating effort on the part of Mrs.
Getchell. He read a letter from For
mer County Attorney Leroy T. Garlic
ton, stating that all who would read
the testimony could see that Mrs.
Getchell was guilty and that it was
a calculating, cool blooded murder.
The State could i'll afford to turn such
years ago for his sisters pardon had
a woman loose upon the community.
a woman loose upon the community.
Mr.. Glidden informed the Governor
and Councillors that the petition seven
been signed by leading citizens of Sid
ney, Augusta and Belgrade and that
DR.. Crooker and others said it would
have been impossible for her to have
obtained strychnine in such quanti-
ties as the autopsy disclosed. He quot
ed former members of the jury which
convicted her as expressing doubts in
regard to the guilt of Mrs. Getchell.
He alluded to the fact that picture
of her husband had place in Mrs.
GetehelPs cell at Thomaston.'