The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-07-22

CHEATS LAW
Lawrence Robinson, on Trial
for Murder, Killed
Himself
.SLASHED THROAT
WITH SHOE SHANK
Bled to Death During Night
While in Charles
st. Jail

Boston, July 22-Lawrence Robinson,
who was on trial for the murder of Po-
lice Inspector Thomas j. Norton, com
mitted suicide during the night in the
Charles street Jail Robinson took a
steel shank from one OF his shoes and
severed an artery in his neck and bled
to death.
District Attorney Pelletier gave out
the following statement:
| Lawrence Robinson committed suicide
in the Charles street Jail between and
| I7:30 o'clock this morning by cutting his
| throat and an artery in his left wrist,
using small piece of steel somewhat
sharpened by friction against some hard
body. He made no outcry and was dis
covered on one of the regular rounds be.
tween 7 and 1870 o'clock He was seen
alive on the previous round was ON his
cot in natural position and died with
out making any sound. An inch and a
half wound in the left neck opened the
iugular vein and the other on the artery
of the left wrist"
The grim manner in which the man
ended his life characterized him as he
had been known to the Boston police
since his arrest. He had maintained a
stoica indifference to the legal proceed |
ings and at no time tried TO Justify or |
explain the acts charged against him |
The police regarded Robinson as one of |
the most desperate criminals they have |
had in many years. The man was OF /
unusual mental attainments and the po-
lice so feared his resources that they /
planned to hold him at night in the court |
building to avoid the daily trips to and
from the jail during the trial. The trial
was TO have been resumed this morning
but the jury was Immediately dis
charged.
Left Goodbye Notes.
Letters found and which were dated
the 18th indicated that Robinson con
suicide before the trial began.
A note TO his mother and to his wife
babe good bye to them.
To Sheriff Quinn and his counsel he
wrote:
You're up against hard game when
you've got to die to beat IT, | wouldn't
want to go to the chair for the satisfsc-
ion it would give certain people and life }
entence or a long term for manslaughter
q worse than death and | know what !
IN talking about" !
Robinson Was Desperate Character. I
Inspector Norton was fatally shot in
he Boylston cafe on the afternoon of b
une Q while he was cndeavoring to place >
,obinson under arrest for triple muir :
er at Grand Rapids. Mich The en- ,
ounter in which the inspector was shot g
'as told yesterday by District Attorney c.
elIetier in outlining the governments
lse following the visit of the jury to e
he scene of the murder in Boston. The a.
lstrict attorney said: y
"0n the day in question Pinkerton b
len went to police headquarters, and in r
of certain information. Cap g
lin Armstrong called Inspector Norton v
nd Special Officers Mccarthy and Claflin. III
hey were shown a circular which con-
lined a picture of this defendant. They
ere told to take their guns with them,
cause this is a bad man, and he's got d
gun with him. and if there's any shoot
g to be done, want you to do il first
"The men went to the Common and
oked for Robinson. Finally they went m
the door leading TO the Boylston cafe, w
here PinkertOn man was standing, te
ho said He's in there The officers IN
tered the cafe and saw two men sit 81
lg at a table. Duddy was sitting in la
position where he was partly facing wi
e men as they entered.
Norton and Mccarthy went over to ne
e table and Norton. taking Robinson M
the sleeve. said. we are police officers al
I'm police headquarters that's all he at
d a chance to say. The tables and Sh
airs were overturned. buddy started, ma
( was grabbed by Claflin, while Nor th,
n and Mccarthy engaged Robinson.
10 was struggling Norton said to ins
nkerton man, Get my stick The me
nkerton man felt in Norton's pocket Ru
4 said Here's your gum and Norton Mi
d, Not that pocket and then turned er,
Mccarthy and said. Give him my All
ck. Jack But before Norton got eat
her. Robinson said. Don't hit me. TIL ser
with YOU. with the result that Nor dol
and Mccarthy relaxed their grip and POI
binson. taking advantage Of the re- Iol
alton, threw the party to the floor.
luding himself. To-
Robinson was partly on his right side jut
Pinkerton man yelled Look out, he's Ian
ting his gum and Norton. who was
Il over him, got the bullet. which en-
ed his breast and came out Of his
X. Mo
After the shot, a Pinkerton man, as
rton was down. grabbed the Savage
omatic from Robinson. who by this y
.e was on his feet and walking to- mel
"a the steps leading 70 the street. yes
Hin. who still had Duddy on the She
sters levelled his revolver and fired the
r times Three OF the bullets struck $50
defendant. but he continued on his 96
J. to the street. and ran mp an alley Bal
r. where he was finally arrested" bur-
- 81.