Norwich bulletin., 1914-12-09
FAMOUS TRIALS
TRIAL OF DR. BUCHANAN.

When Dr. Robert w. Buchanan was arrested in New York on June 6, 1892, for the poisoinng of his wife. it was the beginning of 8, long litigation be- fore the authorities could so complete ly connect him with the crime as to convince the jury of his guilt. This was not possible until April 26 of the following year, and more than two years elapsed before he was finally brought to justice.
 Dr. Buchanan was a Nova Scotian, who had been living in New York for 12 years before the murder was com
 nitted, While a practising physician there he married Annie Patterson, in 1883, and procured a divorce from her in 1890. Shortly afterward he mar ried Mrs. Anna E. Sutherland, but be- fore doing so he prevailed upon her to will to him the various property she possessed.
 Alter living together nearly two was taken suddenly i'll and two physi- clans were called upon to prescribe for her. but she died on April 2, 1892. The body was embalmed and inferred two days latter, where it remained un- til July 5, 1892, when it was removed to the Carnegie Laboratory in New York for examination.
 The death. owing to the peculiar actions of Dr. Buchanan. was looked upon as irregular. and at the examina- tion unnistaka.ble signs of the pres ence Of morphine were found in the stomach. When the specialists made their report Dr. Buchanan was accused Of poisoning his wife. and he was ar- rested, charged with murder. Three days later he was indicted.
 The trial was begun on March 20 1893, and continued until April 26. 1t was not until March 2s. when Assist ant District Attorney OaBeirne pre- sented the case to tine court that it was made evident that its character was more than of the usual interest, and that it bore a very close Fesem- blance to the wife poisoning case of Carlyle Harris, which had been of re- cent occurrence.
 During the trial considerable testi- n1ony was produced regarding Bu- chanan's comments on the stupidity of Carlyle Harris, and also the pleasure he expressed at his wife'S death, and how after he had administered the last dose to her he left the house and did not return until after her death.
 Several days were consumed in the expert testimony as to the evidence of poison in the stomach. On April 20, Buchanan took the stand in his own de1ense. He was exceptionally nerV- ous during the ordeal. The taking of evidence was concluded on April 2i. It up of the case and the jury returned verdict of guilty on April 26. r Shortly afterward a motion vas made for 8 new trial. which was de- nied, and on Aug. IA. 1898, Buchanan was sentenced to die during the week beginning Oct. 2. An appeal was taken to the Court of Appeals and was argued before that court on Jan. 21, 1895. but it merely ccnArnned the con- Yiction of the lower court Then the prisoner was resentenced to die April A, but a petition for .. stay on a writ of error was presented to the United States Supreme Court on April II, Later Chief Justice Fuller denied the stay and preparations were made for the execution.
 Mrs. Buchanan, the first wife of the doctor, and whom he remarried affer the death Of flis second wife, made an appeal for mercy to Gov. Morton, and the Governor respited Blzch&nar for a week. The execution took place finally on July 1, ts46. IL required two appIi- cations before the doctor was electro cuted, iut he was brave to the end, and showed TO siSn Of ecllspae, even l when brought into the death chamber