Year: 1869

Dennis Reen, the Accused, Confesses to Cut


ting on the Head of His BrOther-in-law


with Sausage Axe.


BOSTON, June 2, 1862.


The terrible tragedy which took place IN Charles
town some two months since Is still fresh In the
public mind as one possessing more horrible features
than any ever before committed this vicinity. 1t
VIII be remembered that early one forenoon the dead
body OF Dennis Cronin was found stretched across
meat block in a sausage factory In Charlestown,
ana that the head was completely severed from the
body. Near by was sharp meat axe, covered
with the blood Of the murdered man, and
with which 1t was clear the deed had been
committed. His brother-in-law, Dennis Reen, who
had been at work with him in the same
room, was missing, and, as 1t was known there had
been difficulty between the two it was reasonably
supposed that he was the murderer. Search was i'm
mediately commenced for him, but before the
Off could get his track he called at the police
station and gave himself up, but Indignantly and
positively denied all knowledge Of the tragedy The
officers took hi into custody, however, and he was
examined and fully committed for trial. aud the
trial was finished In the Supreme Judicial Court, at
East Cambridge, this morning.


The last witness placed upon the stand was Reen
himself and in response to questions by his counsel
Mr. A. D. Brewster he made full confession OF the
crime in the following wOrds:-


hs Of have rsc been s in %
bad state Mira Cronn is sister Of mine she sent $4C to
% @
ans Il:
employed for six months was At work with Cronn at the
sss We: s si'i
was ehSppng lard At the block with the axe At the time and





and wen, home; TOOK Oh my Boots and over.
5 and on x ssH .y S set s00. Short n
sos frishssnsd iins him; Charles,
Mr. cahan being informed OF the murder told go and
Eesron the Msrshars Office harpened the axe before
the killing Of Cronin as usually did, never worked at the
Sronn where fel, after the how ana not strike hard


District At.oasy M9T:sI CToah had been talking
loud Frank the shop the time and
Mr. DIXON DO IT, had drinking from i dsst Of % wSis his
Wine Ss Deputy
murder


The prisoners counsel addressed the jury briefly
after Keen mad given In his confession, and asked
that verdict OF manslaughter might be rendered
The Attorney General followed then with his argu-
been given against the murderer Reen interrupted
him with volley OF oahs, and, standing up in the
Il me- Cronin, or any other man. had talked to him
Cronin did he woud cut his head OF Id
vain to check Reen but he persisted In cursing and
abusing them IN spite OF all efforts. The
District Attorney concluded his argument soon after
brought In verdict OF guilty OF murder In the first
degree. The Chief Justice then asked Reen n q o
had anything to say, and he responded by asserting
that his confession was true in every respect, and
that under like prov0caton he would kill any man.
After few moments suspense Reen obeyed an
order to stand up, and, amid painful silence the
Court informed him that he had been tried and
found guilty OF capital offence and that 1t only
remained for him to pass sentence, and he therefore
ordered that he be taken TO the East Cambridge jail
and remain in close confinement until such time as
the Executive should set apart for his execution
and that he then be taken tnerefrom and hung by
the neck until dead.


For the first time Reen now exhibited some emo
ton, but 1t was only momentary for when one or
the officers offered him glass OF water the old
brutal air OF Drayado returned and he replied, mo,
God damn you, drink IL yourself" The court was
then adjourned and the prisoner was removed to
Jail amid the Jeers Of an indignant crowd, there to
await his appointed doom.