Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-10-06
MAINE W. c. 7, U, PLAN
SERIES OF RALLIES ON
LAW ENFORCEMENT
JURY GETS CASE
DR.. BLACK CHARGED
With MURDER TODAY

Portland, Me, Oct. 5.-Dr Richard
+. Black. during redirect examination
IN superior court today at his trial on
the charge of murder and illegal oper-
alton upon Mrs. Ileane Z. York, stated
that he never had started an abortion
even under the legal right of necessity
of saving life, and never under Grim
inal conditions.
Under REORGANIZATION he admitted
that it might have been possible for a
certain instrument he had used while
examining her on Sept. 9, the day be-
fore she died, to have punctured a part
of the body.
He said that when she reached the
hospital she was in the same condition
as when he visited her with the exccp-
ton of what he might have done in his
examination.
DR.. Black during cross-eXamination
said Mrs. York had paid him $45 be-
fore she was placed under ether for the
tonsils operation which he had intended
to perform. He said he worked on her
about 10 or IS minutes and described
III detail what happened during that
time and the conditions he found.
DR.. Black said he had a theory that
Mrs. York or someone was responsible
for these conditions. He said he told
the county attorney that a desperate
woman could have accomplished what
had been done to Mrs. York when she
arrived at the hospital.
Mrs. Halle S. Spear testified for the
defense that she saw an automobile
drive up to the house in which Mrs.
York lived on VeSper street and that
two women and a man went in. staying
about 20 minutes and leaving a short
time before the arrival of the nurse
who preceded DR.. Black
Thirteen character witnesses We're
sworn in for the defense. The first of
these to testify was Mrs. Hilda Marie
Black, wife Of the accused physician.
She was a professional nurse before
marrying DR.. Black in 1910. She was
not cross-oXaminet. Another was Rev
J. +. Clancy. formerly pastor at Peaks
Island. the home of DIR. Black.
Joseph A. Belchner, when asked If
DR.. Black, whom he has known for
IL years, had the reputation in the
community as an abortionist, replied
loudly:
absolutely no.
Testimony was completed this after
noon and the case will be given to the
jury tomorrow. The defense rested
after calling IS witnesses in the after
noon. nine of whom were character
witnesses. Two witnesses We're intro
duced in rebuttal by the State. cross
examination by the defense as brief,
and the evidence was all in at T. NJ.
Former Attorney General William
r. Pattangall counsel, with Raymond
S. Cakes. for the defense. will submit
his argument tomorrow morning at
o'clock, Attorney General Ransford w.
Shaw will argue for the state. and
Judge Lauren VI. Sanborn will charge
the jury. who will undoubtedly got the
case Saturday afternoon. ard DR..
Black, il is expected, Will know his
fate by nightfall.
One of the most important witnesses
for the defense today was DR.. w. Bean
Moulton of Portland. who qualified as
n specialist and expert in female
troubles, and who testified that the in
iuries which Mrs. York received were
not inconsistent with the use of such
an instrument of household utility
which she is said to have admitted
using.