Year: 1879

ExHUMATIoN OF HIS wIFE's INTEsTINEs AND


uANcE FOR TWO WEEKS AND THE PRISONER


DENIED BAIL.


jBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD


NORWICH, Conn, Oct. T. 1879.


By order Of the City Court Coroner David Young
issued permit yesterday afternoon for tho exhuma-
ton of Mrs. Riddles body and early this morning it
was taken from the grave in Yantc Cemetery and
carried to the OF Henry Allen Son. under
takers. The body in good state Of preserva-
tion as could be expected, considering the time
it had been buried. The intestines. which
were remarkably perfect, removed by
DIR. W. S. c. Perkins, the operation being witnessed
by Professor s. w. Johnson. Of the Yale Scientific
School (who is to analyze the stomach) and by most
of the physicians Of Norwich. Professor johnson
had the ntestines put into bottles. which her.
metically sealed. At half past eleven the remains
were taken back to the cemetery.


THE COURT PROCEEDINGS.


At two o'clock Judge Kellogg took his seat in the
City Court and Immediately the Of the
State VS.. William d. Riddle. charged with poison
ing his wife. Abby j. Riddle, called. Tho
prisoner entered the court room with firm
step. neatly clad in q suit of black, and took
his seat in the prisoners box He was told to stand
up, while the clerk. William H. Congdon. read to
him the complaint which written in usual
FORM charging him with the commission Of murder
in tho first degree by Of poison used in fluids,
food and drink administered to his wife Abby j.
Riddle, at various and sundry tim and places and
previous to the 18th Of May. 1875 with the intent
and purpose of killing her. and with full knowledge
that by using poisons i'll the manner above men,
toned he could destroy the life of his wife.
After the reading Of the complaint Judge Kellogg
asked Mr.. Riddle. "Are you provided with counsel
and you ready to be put to plea?" to both Of
which questions answer was made i'll the affirmative.
Turning to the Clerk tho Judge said "Put the prs-
oner to plea" The former then said, William b.
Riddle, you have heard read the complaint charged
against you by City Attorney. 10 this complaint
what is your plea? Arc you guilty or not guilty?'
In distinct and clear voice the prisoner replied.
"Not guilty"


MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE.


Colonel Ripley moved for the continuance Of the
case until the 21st inst. He remarked that all per-
charged with crime entitled to speedy trial.
and except in whore it was impossible to col
lect evidence they ought not to be held for an un-
due period. The State in this case was not able to
offer at this time evidence necessary for conviction,
and could not until the report OF Professor Johnson
who had been engaged to make scientific examina-
ton. was ready, and he had to attend trial
in New Haven of similar nature this week
he could not make any statement of his
Investigations in less than two weeks. This was
the least time that could ask for and Mt that time
he might be obliged to ask for more. The evidence
of the State rests manly with this chemical exam
inntion Without it he could not offer evidence
enough to convict. and the result Of the analysis
might not prove anything.





''The Attorney for the State rightly says that the
whole rests on the chemical examination. The
matter has frequently been brought to his notice,
but until now he has never had sufficient evidence
to warrant the making OF arrest. and now, with
out the chemical analysis. the evidence is not
sufficient" After reading the statute the point
counsel maintained that no proof had been offered
showing that there evidence against his client
the complaint charges Mother Is tho presumption
of guilt great. This being tho case. the statute
clearly implies that the case is a balable one He
then asked the Court to admit the prisoner to bail
in proper amount


Colonel Ripley answered that he was sorry that he
could not offer evidence before the analysis
made, but that when the trial should begin there
would be interruption. He contended that the
similar to the Cobb case, in which the pris-
oner was held.


ADMITTED BAIL.


Judge Kellogg said 81 consider the motion on
the part OF tho State reasonable. All possible
diligence should be used to bring to trial the defend
ant. He entitled to that especially IL innocent.
On the question OF bail have already given my
views in similar Tho constitution seems to
imply that proof is offered evidence of guilt; it
presumes that evidence has been offered by the
State, though none has been offered In Court. The
Court cannot assume; 1t can only consider the
the charge alleged in the complaint. 1t is
undoubtedly hard for persons charged with crime to
wait for proof This class of requires that
will adjourn the for two weeks. at nine o clock
III the morning, and do not admit to bail. but
mand the prisoner to the County Jail to remain
during the adjournment


The decision did not affect the prisoner visibfy.
At this stage of the proceedings he left the court
room bowling to some persons and shaking hands
with Others Later in the day he taken to Jail.