Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-11-02
Tho Joe Bill Hearing

The Governor and Council Wednesday
morning continued the session Of Tuesday
evening, Governor Curtis and Councillors
Scates, Simmons. Cunningham, Hudson
and Burnham being present. The pardon
petition of Ignazio Albanse, alias Joe Bill,
who on May II. 1911. at Rumford Falls,
shot and killed his wife, Rosina Albanse,
or Bill
Attorney Frank A. Morsy of Lewiston
presented the case for Joe Bill, stating
that he would present petitions bearing
between HOO and 100 names. many Of
prominent men Of Lewiston. Rumford
Falls, Livermore Falls. Dixfield and other
places. He read in full the opinion OF
Justice Haley who. dissented from the
majority opinion Of the law court, written
by Justice Cornish. refusing a new trial.
in which Justice Haley alleged inadmis
sible testimony was admitted at the trial
and prejudiced the jury against Joe Bin
and that neglect of presiding Judge to
charge regarding manslaughter. was also
prejudicial
Attorney General Pattangall reviewed
the States case in the prosecution Of Jos
Bill, who was tried at the fall term of
1911 in Oxferd county, with County At
torney Parker. Mr.. Morey defended Bill.
An appeal was taken and the law court
sustained the verdict. denied the appeal
and overruled the exceptions. Mr.. Pat
tangall quoted from this decision and
brought out the prominent parts. bearing
on the pardon petition. He said that n
three judges could be convinced of error
in trial, new trial would be granted IN
Maine. In this case. but one (Haley) was
so convinced.
To take that dissenting opinion as a
final criterion would be to change the
laws of Maine. This Council is not inter-
ested in technical. legal points in consad-
ering a pardon--facts. situation. etc.. re
to be considered.
Joe Bill and wife had lived together in
their property. but later in the same
apartment, but not a. man and wife,
though she did the housework. Joe APP
piled for divorce. on grounds Of adultery.
Libel sworn to April 8. 1911. You can
safely conclude for 1t least five or six
weeks before shooting he had evidence
that his wife was an adulteress. 1t was
entered at the May term. She cross-fled
and Judge Emery granted a continuance
to fall. In May. Lawyer Geo. A. Hutch
ms said:
Joe told me he had told his wife he
would kill her. II she had divorce case put
over. When judge continued the case,
notified Judge Emery Of Bills threats
and asked him to caution Joe. The
Judge declined. 1 .phoned Mrs. Bill"
Her dying statement included: II know
I'm dying. Joe Bill shot me three times.
Lawyer Hutchins phoned me Joe Bill
was mad and would kill me and for me
to get out OF house and was going just
as soon as / could get some clothes"
What took place at home can be told
only by Joe Bill and the wife's story.
Joe says she twitted him about the child.
On same day Of murder Joe Bill told Om-
Ger Niles, after Attorney Morey had ad-
vised him not to talk. that he wouldn't
talk. The next day Joe said:
II was mad: Ate dinner with Rosie.
Was mad about letter from italy. Was
in chair Rosie took dishes to sink. She
said: I told you I'D beat you and get
divorce put over and laughed at me.
Don't remember what happened them
The jury didn't accept Joe's story Of
sudden anger over the adultery matter
and for that killing her. II II had. case
would have been granddaughter. But jury
did consider Joe's threats. thinking over.
his wrongs. threatening to and finally
killing her, and found reason OF murder
to be his growing anger rather than
sudden cause.
The killing was admittedly manslaugh-
ter and state claimed murder Three
convictions in my experience as attorney
general have received the limit, 20 years.
Even under old lo-year limit, Joe Bill
would have received more than the I'VE
years he has served.
As to Judge Haley's dissenting opinion,
It is a law that in murder cases Judge
must define granddaughter and jury and
Judge Hanson did define IT, II Justice
Haley thought he didn't 90 far
enough into details. Is that any reason
for pardonf / don't believe il q man