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Ciara Allen at Jun 01, 2020 12:52 PM

91

THE SHEEDY CASE

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Jas. Malone Shows Up in Contempt.

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Loiters in the Judge's Privat Office While Witnesses are Barred.

DEFENSE WANT TESTIMONY QUASHED.

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Carder, Mellok and Malone Testify Today as to the Confession of McFarland.

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The Murder Trial,

At the adjournment of court yesterday the testimony of W. W. Carder was wanted, but as he had been excused by the judge proceedings in the famous Sheedy murder case were continued until this morning.

Previous thereto the question of the admission of the confession of Monday McFarand, upon which much in the trial hinges, was discussed pro and con by the attourneys with the result of having Judge Field virtually admit it at the finale of the case and allowing the jury to take it for what it was worth in their estimation.

The defense fought it bitterly, for in this confession is found all that connects Mary Sheedy, the wife of the murdered man, with this most mysterious crime. On the other hand the prosecution held out for its admission on the ground that it was wholly voluntary.

The case has been gathering a general interest in the last three days and when called this morning a motly throng flocked into the court room, filling every seat and perching upon every available object.

Last night the attourneys for the defense were apprised of the fact that James Malone, an important witness in the case, in direct opposition to the court's order that all witnesses should retire from hearing, was discovered by a Call reporter in the private office of the judge with the door ajar while ex-Mayor Graham was on the stand. It was important both to Malone and S. M. Melick that they know the exact testimony of Graham, for these three were the only ones to whom McFarland is supposed to have made this "voluntary" confession and to have statements coincide was something devoutly to be wished. It was perhaps for this reason that this man Malone stretched himself in the judge's private office on a sofa and while pretending to sleep listened listened to what was being said by the witness on the stand as THE CALL man emerged upon him in the darkened room, while a chair held the door in a steady position.

When the defense learned of this piece of trickery on the part of this alleged detective who has brought through much of the sensationalism of the case their wrath was unbounded and he was scored in unmeasured terms for his lack of even manly qualities.

When he was called to the stand this morning Attourney Philpott of the defense made an effort to exclude the grounds set forth above, but after some wrangle he was allowed to proceed and give his offiical connection with the case and particularly as regarded the confession of McFarland, which he maintained had not been obtained by any threats. He stated that he had made but one visit to prisoner.

W. W. Carder being called swore that Malone had visited McFarland's cell many times during the night and had asked the prisoner what mode of hangning he preferred. His testimony further on went to show that McFarland had been in some manner prevailed upon and hwne witnesses saw him was either drunk or well nigh crazy with fear.

S. M. Mellick's testimony was also taken this morning and only touched upon McFarland's arrest and confession, witness believing no undue influences had been brought to bear on the negro to extort this confession.

Dennis Sheedy was the last witness examined before the noon hour and his statements were mostly regarding the domestic relations of Sheedy and his wife, so far as he knew, and of no particular bearing on the case.

[Picture]
TYPES OF BEAUTY AT THE TRIAL

This afternoon the court room was visited by hundreds of laides and the front rows of seats were adorned with gayly bedecked hats and a diversity of ribbons, while wall flowers in the shape of bowhiskered men were stung along the aisles and walls.

At two o'clock "a jury of their peers" filed in and court was opened.

Among the rew faces seen inside the railings were George True and Cynthia Middleton, uncl and sister of Monday McFarland.

The effect is now to show that the confession was voluntary and the first witnes called was George Walters, one of the coroner's jury. First examined by the defense. He had a conversation with Malone prior to the return of the jury's verdict respecting the confession. He had asked Malone how the confession was obtained and in effect was told it was scared out of McFarland.

91

THE SHEEDY CASE

-

Jas. Malone Shows Up in Contempt.

-

Loiters in the Judge's Privat Office While Witnesses are Barred.

DEFENSE WANT TESTIMONY QUASHED.

-

Carder, Mellok and Malone Testify Today as to the Confession of McFarland.

-

The Murder Trial,

At the adjournment of court yesterday the testimony of W. W. Carder was wanted, but as he had been excused by the judge proceedings in the famous Sheedy murder case were continued until this morning.

Previous thereto the question of the admission of the confession of Monday McFarand, upon which much in the trial hinges, was discussed pro and con by the attourneys with the result of having Judge Field virtually admit it at the finale of the case and allowing the jury to take it for what it was worth in their estimation.

The defense fought it bitterly, for in this confession is found all that connects Mary Sheedy, the wife of the murdered man, with this most mysterious crime. On the other hand the prosecution held out for its admission on the ground that it was wholly voluntary.

The case has been gathering a general interest in the last three days and when called this morning a motly throng flocked into the court room, filling every seat and perching upon every available object.

Last night the attourneys for the defense were apprised of the fact that James Malone, an important witness in the case, in direct opposition to the court's order that all witnesses should retire from hearing, was discovered by a Call reporter in the private office of the judge with the door ajar while ex-Mayor Graham was on the stand. It was important both to Malone and S. M. Melick that they know the exact testimony of Graham,