Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-10-01
BELFAST.
State Finishes Its Case i'm Trial
of Lewis Burgess, Indicted
for the Murder of John
Romeo, Aug. 81
DEFENSE OPENED IN THE
AFTERNOON AT 100

Belfast Me-, Sept. 30.-(Special).-
The murder trial of State Vs. Lewis
Burgess of Burnham, who is indicted
for having shot his son in law. John
Romeo, on Aug. 81, which was opened
yesterday afternoon for the State
which called 20 witnesses. County At
torney Littlefield assisted by Attorney
General Scott Wilson conducting the
case, was again before the court this
morning and the remaining witnesses
examined. The case as opened seems
to evolve about the tracks under the
window of the house in which the
tragedy occurred and a good deal of
testimony was given in this respect.
Everett Davis, the first witness, told
of hearing Burgess say that he did not
see Romeo after he left Burgess house
with Mrs. Romeo, until he saw him
dead on the floor.
On cross examination he said he
could not remember what his atten-
ton was first called to when he went
to Burgess house. Was not sure
what he did when he first got there;
thought that he looked at the tracks
under the window. Didn't know
whether he talked with anyone about
the tracks or not Couldn't remember
seeing anything else in the porch but
birch stick and tracks on the f1rt
floor. Had seen the stick before once
when calling on Burgess. Said gun
zl HxyC Oh, Dr.
CESS on Sept. 1, and that he said it
was not Ronco's gun.
Leon Reynolds, while working in his
field on Aug. 31st saw Romeo about
430 P. NJ. crossing the field going
toward Burgess house. Next he saw
him about 6 o'clock going towards
home. Next saw him come out of a
corn patch end as witness had then
harnessed his horse and was about
to drive off, Romeo got in and drove
with him. Went as far as Dodge
place. and got out starting in the d.
rection of Burgess house again.
This was about $50 P. M. I no.
ticed he had gun" said the witness.
On cross examination Reynolds said,
Romeo told me that he had been to
Burgess house. He appeared sober.
left him about half mile from Bur-
CESS house and he started across the
fields towards it, with his gum"
George e. Dodge saw Romeo at $50.
He came to my house riding with
Mr.. Reynolds" declared Mr.. Dodge.
He got out of team and started tow
ards Burgess house. He had a
breech-loading gun and appeared So
ber."
Charles E. Cunningham. met Bur-
CESS about $50 P. M. on the road af-
ter the shooting. Asked him what he
was doing out SO late away from
home and he said II have killed my
son in law" What" said I: Yes
1 have killed my son-in-law and he
lies there dead on the floor" | told
him that he had better go and advise
the selectmen if he done such a thing.
I saw Romeo that day leaving Burgess
house with his wife and child.
On cross-examination witness said Bur-
CESS felt badly. Said Burgess said shot
him dead, meaning Romeo.
Mather Monroe testified that he made
the case as having been found in the
house and under Romeo after he was
moved. Witness said he made the knife
last July for Mr.. Burgess.
At this time a recess was taken and
attorney for the defence, Mr.. Buzzell
submitted to the court written testimo-
ny of one Mrs. Nancy J. Corners OF
Burnham, who owing to fractured hiI
is unable to appear personally in court
This evidence written by her said that or
the day that Romeo and his family lef
the house of Burgess. where they had
been living for some time. Romeo appear.
| ed at her the witness) house and was
very mad at Burgess. Said she would xii
Burgess, and emphasized the threat witt
al oath
This testimony was objected to by tn,
attorneys for the State on the grount
that it was out of order and it was no
allowed but can be entered in proper or
der
Mrs. Emma Romeo, daughter of the re
spondent and widow Of the murdered
man, a pretty young woman in deel
mourning, was the next witness. He
manner was very calm and digniffed an,
onlookers remarked the close resemblanc
between her and her father. She was
very fine witness. telling her story quiet
ly and answering the questions put to he
in most satisfactory manner. She show
ed no emotion whatever but looked as
she had suffered keenly since the tragedy
She said: "I am the daughter of tn
respondent and John Romeo was my hus
band. / last saw the latter about $50 o
the night of Aug. 81 going toward. m